Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in the Great Lakes Region
Incorporating local perspectives into the implementation of the UN Women, Peace and Security Agenda in the Great Lakes Region (iWPS)
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ClientGerman Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
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CountryAngola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia
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Political sponsorsMore
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Runtime2024 to 2026
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Products and expertiseSecurity, reconstruction, peace
Context
The Great Lakes Region of Africa has for decades been subject to armed conflict due to regional and national power struggles, ethnic tensions and resource distribution.
Since women and girls are particularly hard hit by this situation, it is crucial to involve them in conflict solutions and peacebuilding efforts. So far, however, they have been underrepresented in peace processes owing to unequal power dynamics and gender-specific inequalities. Local women’s rights organisations aim to change this, but have limited influence on policy-making due to their lack of funding and dwindling scope for action.
This is where the UN Women, Peace and Security Agenda comes in. It intends to promote women’s rights and gender equality.
Many member states of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) have national action plans for implementing the agenda at local level. ICGLR has also developed a regional plan of action to strengthen women’s participation in preventing and resolving conflict.
Objective
The countries in the Great Lakes Region are implementing the UN Women, Peace and Security Agenda. In so doing, they are involving civil society to a greater extent and promoting the accountability of decision-makers.
Approach
The project operates in three fields of activity:
- It improves the organisational and technical skills of local grassroots organisations to plan and implement gender-sensitive and human rights-based peace initiatives.
- It promotes the advocacy work and networking activities of feminist civil-society organisations and improves their access to regional decision-making forums, allowing them to incorporate local perspectives into UN Women, Peace and Security Agenda policies.
- It advises ICGLR at professional and technical level with regard to monitoring and participatory, innovative data collection in order to promote the body’s accountability, sustainability and effectiveness.
As at: July 2024