Since the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1325 in 2000, there have been normative commitments to increase women’s representation in high-level peace building. However, despite these efforts the low level of women’s participation in peace negotiations has been a concern. Furthermore, women’s involvement in high-level peace and security interventions is still inadequate.
Of particular concern has been the persistent exclusion of women from formal roles in mediation processes, which was the main focus of the UNSCR 1889 of 2009. UNSCR 1889 guaranteed the express provision to “ensure that women are appropriately appointed as high level mediators and within the composition of the mediator’s teams” (S/2009/1889, preamble).
In order to explore this debate, CRTP conducted this study to answer various questions.
- What are the peace intervention strategies that have been used in various countries in Africa?
- Who are the key actors in conflict intervention in Africa?
- What roles have women played in high level mediation in Africa?
- What are the challenges facing women in addressing conflicts in Africa?
- What strategies can be used to increase the leverage for women in peace processes in Africa?
This study included a regional analysis that entailed a broad view assessment of the current social, economic, political and religious situation in the Regional Peace Partners (RPP) region.
This task covered 12 countries namely: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, Rwanda, Burundi, Eritrea, and Democratic Republic of Congo. The research on assessing the level of women’s participation in peacebuilding processes was supported by The Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA) , one of the partners under the Regional Peace Program (RPP) umbrella