UNITAR
Without women at the table, humanity cannot move forward. Bineta Diop, AU Special Envoy on WPS
From April 2021 to October 2023, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Office of the Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace and Security (OSE) jointly implemented the USAID-funded project “Accelerating the delivery of the WPS agenda on the African Continent” to enhance the full realization of this groundbreaking framework in Africa. As part of the project measures, a Gender Monitoring Specialist (GMS) was seconded by UNITAR to the OSE to support Member States, Regional Economic Communities and Civil Society Organizations efforts to monitor and report on the WPS agenda using the CRF.
An important objective of the 30-month project was to enable regular and effective monitoring by member states, which will support decision-making and programming for the effective implementation of the WPS agenda on the African continent. This was achieved for example through the launch of 3 Reports by the Chairperson of AUC on the implementation of the WPS agenda on the African continent since 2020 while providing continuous capacity building for Member States in WPS monitoring and reporting.
To further strengthen continent-wide accountability on WPS reporting and monitoring, three dedicated case study missions were undertaken in the Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, and Rwanda. These missions, conducted in October 2021 and October 2023, marked a significant step towards understanding and documenting how AU member states are utilizing the CRF to advance WPS. Revealing a wealth of valuable findings, such as the CRF's impact on improving female participation in security sectors and women's representation in top leadership positions, the case study missions played a pivotal role in formulating evidence-based and data-driven recommendations to address the identified gaps and further harnessing the lessons learned.
It is well known that women bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table, which can lead to more effective and sustainable peace processes. The project thereby aimed at creating a high-level platform to make women’s voices heard and streamline their recommendations. Practically, this was achieved by supporting the organization of two Annual Open Sessions on WPS under the joint leadership of the AU Office of the OSE and the AU Peace and Security Commission (PSC). These sessions served as powerful platforms to take stock of progress made and to galvanize collective action towards eradicating conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and integrating WPS into the implementation of the African Free Continental Trade Area (AfCFTA). The project has also supported the deployment of women mediators to observe and mitigate electoral violence in Kenya and Senegal. These women, armed with courage and diplomacy, played a pivotal role in ensuring peaceful electoral processes in their respective countries.
When the current armed conflict erupted in Sudan, the project swiftly organized and coordinated a virtual solidarity meeting with Sudanese women. This act of solidarity ignited a spark of hope, creating a platform for women to mobilize for peace. To empower them to build a united front and influence the peace process, the Kampala Women Declaration, a powerful manifesto for peace and women's empowerment was birthed during a transformative conference with Sudanese women leaders in partnership with UN Women. The project has been instrumental in ensuring that the voices of Sudanese women are heard in strategic peacebuilding platforms, including the AU Peace and Security Council. Additionally, the project supported the coordination of a peace advocacy mission of the AU Special Envoy on WPS and other senior African women leaders to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This mission, a testament to the AU's strong commitment to peace, paved the way for DRC women to brief the AU Peace and Security Council, amplifying their voices and advocating for their inclusion in peacebuilding efforts.
UNITAR
Moving forward, UNITAR and the OSE propose to help countries develop advanced data collection and management systems to enable regular and effective monitoring to support WPS decision-making and programming for effective delivery of the WPS agenda in Africa. Practical measures include a dedicated training package to serve as an operational tool, the set-up of a pool of certified CRF trainers to address a critical need for enhanced capacity at the local level, particularly among focal points responsible for overseeing WPS efforts and the development of an online WPS reporting platform to streamline and modernize the reporting procedures at member state level towards, which in turn, will enhance women’s protection and participation in peace and security process.
As a dedicated training arm of the United Nations and fully committed to advancing the WPS agenda, UNITAR celebrates the milestones achieved under this joint project and also acknowledges that there is still a long way to go in achieving the vital role of the WPS agenda in fostering peace. UNITAR and the OSE call for continued support and collaboration for the next phase of this project, ensuring that progress towards women’s empowerment in peace and security is sustained and accelerated.
Women are the real hope for the world. We must demand that our courage, wisdom, compassion, and resilience shed a new way to end conflicts and bring real peace. - H.E Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Former President of Liberia and Patron of AWLN, WPS FORUM 2023
The persistence of unaccountability poses a challenge in implementing UNSCR 1325. Nevertheless, we acknowledge existing cooperative and collaborative efforts. Gender imbalance stands out as a significant issue impacting decision-making processes. - Mr Didicus Kaguta Head of Peace and Security Department, EAC, WPS FORUM 2023
Africa has cultivated a cadre of adept women mediators, fully equipped for the task at hand. It's time to move beyond mere rhetoric and actively involve women who are prepared to engage in peace processes. Let's embrace the capabilities of these skilled women and propel meaningful action toward sustainable peace. - Hon. Justice Effie Owour FemWise-Africa Co-Chair and Member of the AU Panel of the Wise. WPS FORUM 2023
Let's unite and ensure women are granted a meaningful percentage in decision-making and peacebuilding processes. It's time to collectively work towards a more inclusive and equitable representation. - H.E Dr. Mrs Aisha Buhari Former First Lady of Nigeria and Chairperson of the Honorary Advisory Council of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM), WPS FORUM 2023