COVID-19 has transformed the world of work. Remote working has become the new normal for most people, with communications largely moving to the digital space. This has had a strong impact on the work of human rights defenders and the way they defend, promote, and protect rights.
The Office of the United Nations High for Human Rights (OHCHR) collected stories of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) on the African continent to increase the visibility of WHRDs’ work in the process of the pandemic and create a source of information to inform COVID-19 recovery programming and policymaking for WHRDs. OHCHR aims to provide a platform for WHRDs to document and exchange their experiences in the context of COVID-19 and to build solidarity among them.
The Peace Centre’s Project Officer, Diana Oroma shares her perspective on the Women Peace and Security and the Pandemic.
The Peace Centre, in partnership with Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare and National Transformational Leadership Institute conducted a five-day training for 21 young women between 18 and 35, from various background representing high school graduates, university students and graduates, CSOs, FBOs, NGOs, women’s associations, political parties
and government institutions on women, peace and security from 27th to 31st July 2020 to strengthen young women’s leadership skills, equip them to gather information, conduct gendered analysis of current peace and security issues and engage in advocacy for the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda.
This report highlights the key discussions during the training.
The Peace Centre with the support of Womankind Worldwide and Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS) undertook research in Uganda to better understand the context-specific and global gender, peace and security impacts of COVID-19 and develop policy and programming responses which account for the impact of COVID-19.
The findings indicate the gendered effects of COVID-19 on vulnerable and marginalised groups in the urban, rural and refugee settlement contexts. The findings highlight the impact of the pandemic on the community, especially on women’s and girls’ roles, responsibilities, needs and livelihoods. They also highlight gender-based violence (GBV), as well as how these different groups of women and girls are coping with the crisis.
This research, undertaken by a consortium of organisations including Gender Action Peace and Security (GAPS), Somali Women Development Centre (SWDC), Saferworld, Women for Women International, Women’s International Peace Centre (The Peace Centre), Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Nigeria and Womankind Worldwide. This research report, funded by the UK’s Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF), sets out recommendations for modalities to fund, support and strengthen WROs and CSOs, as well as enable the UK, CSSF Africa and the international community – including donors, multilaterals and INGOs – to better understand the challenges and opportunities for WROs and CSOs working on peace and security issues in Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria and globally. This report outlines the findings and recommendations of this research and is supplemented by country-specific reports for Nigeria, South Sudan and Somalia.
This report looks back into the year and describes what we have accomplished with our Partners. The Peace Centre contributed to enhancing the expertise of women leaders to participate in peace processes in Burundi, DRC, Nepal, South Sudan and Uganda through the Feminist Leadership Institute on Peace and Security, learning exchanges and mentorship support. Making information available for women to influence decision-making in peace processes in Uganda and South Sudan. Claiming space and influencing Peace Processes at all levels and in promoting the holistic wellbeing of women, we continue working with support groups of women living with HIV and AIDS in post-conflict North-eastern Uganda to support their access to sustainable livelihood
opportunities.
From 25th to 26th February 2020, The Peace Centre with support from FOKUS and UN Women convened a dialogue under the theme “The
South Sudan Peace Process; The Role and Prospects
for Refugee Women” to provide a platform for refugee women to understand and receive updates on the peacebuilding processes, link the refugee women with other women involved in advocacy towards engendering the peace processes in South Sudan and ignite women’s ability to participate in the formal and informal peacebuilding processes right from the refugee settlement for sustainable peace in South Sudan.
This report shares details of the proceedings of the conference.
This learning paper is based on evidence and learning from an intersectional women’s movement initiative delivered through collaboration in 2019 between six Uganda based women’s rights organisations; Freedom and Roam Uganda (FARUG), Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE), Mentoring and Empowerment Programme for Young Women (MEMPROW), National Association for Women’s Organisations in Uganda (NAWOU), National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda (NUWODU), Women’s International Peace Centre, (The Peace Centre) and by Womankind Worldwide, within the project Women’s Advocacy for Voice and Empowerment (WAVE) through inclusive platforms in Uganda.
The paper shares insights, analysis and reflection and also build upon a body of learning to support women’s rights and strengthening WMs. It also captures and collates some of the knowledge, learning and evidence around the focus and effectiveness of Womankind’s support to movement strengthening with diverse Women’s Rights Organisations in Uganda. It also explores the effectiveness of collaborative working as the mechanism through which this initiative was delivered and sets out a number of recommendations for women’s rights practitioners and donors..
Women’s International Peace Centre in partnership with EVE Organization for Women Development and Community Empowerment Progress Organization (CEPO), conducted training under the theme “Rejuvenating the Women, Peace and Security Agenda: Towards participation and implementation of the UNSCR 1325 National Action Planon advocacy for South Sudan National Action Plan on the UNSCR 1325.
The training brought together 25 participants including gender technical staff from the line ministries both at national and state level, women members of parliament from the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and women representatives of the civil society working on the UNSCR 1325 South Sudan NAP.
The training evaluated and audited the implementation of the National Action Plan; enhanced skills in advocacy and effective reporting on the NAP of the UNSCR 1325 and enhanced women’s effective participation in leadership and peacebuilding and strengthening gender perspectives in South Sudan’s states building and reconstruction.
From 29th to 31st October 2019, Women’s International Peace Centre and Uganda Women Parliamentary Association hosted a Regional Exchange Visit for women leaders from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo to facilitate experiential learning, practical lessons and skills on how to influence the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and to strengthen movement building and lobbying for policy influence
This report highlights discussions during the Regional Exchange Visit.
Between 20th to 24th June 2019, Women’s International Peace Centre in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Family and Children’s Affairs, Karibu Jeunesse Nouvelle (KJN) and Association des Femmes Des Medias (AFEM)) conducted a Feminist Leadership Institute for 20 women leaders including Politicians, Lawyers, Lecturers, Socio-workers, and Community leaders from Kalehe, Walungu, Kabare and Bukavu in South Kivu province
in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Institute aimed at strengthening the capacity of women leaders to engage in and influence post-conflict decision making and governance as well as demand accountability from policymakers towards actualizing the meaningful inclusion of women in governance and decision making in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This Report highlights discussions during the institute.
Women’s International Peace Centre with support from Forum for Women in Development (FOKUS) conducted a research study to examine the opportunities, constraints and extent to which women influence the peace process in South Sudan.
This research answers the following questions; i)What are the conflict trends, dynamics their significance for ongoing peace processes in South Sudan? To what extent do these advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda? ii)What is the level of participation and representation of women in the peace process in South Sudan? iii)What are the opportunities and constraints and to what extent do women influence the peace processes, such as seen in the national dialogue, the security sector reform, the constitutional reform and the transitional government in South Sudan; iv)How can women and in particular young women’s advocacy efforts be supported in ways that create new spaces for them to engage key decision makers at national, regional and international levels?
Women’s participation in peace processes is critical for sustaining peace. Notwithstanding, women face several barriers that limit their effective representation and influence in peace processes. Research shows that the political participation and leadership of women in fragile environments, particularly during democratic transitions, is critical to sustaining lasting
democratic institutions.
A study carried out in Juba, South Sudan by the Women International Peace Centre shows that sustainable peace in South Sudan depends on empowering women and tackling obstacles to their participation in peace processes. The research was carried out to examine opportunities, constraints and the extent to which women are taking part in implementing the peace agreement in South Sudan.
This Policy Brief highlights the barriers to women’s participation in peace processes and shares recommendations.
Women are recognized signatories to the Revitalised Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). South Sudan has also put in place policy frameworks and institutions in support of the women, peace and security agenda. If South Sudan is to achieve sustainable peace and fulfil the R-ARCSS, measures that promote women’s participation and tackle associated barriers should be adopted.
A study carried out in Juba-South Sudan by the Women’s International
Peace Centre shows that sustainable peace in South Sudan depends on the full implementation of gender provisions within the R-ARCSS.
The study examined the extent to which gender has been mainstreamed in the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.
This Policy Brief highlights the barriers to the full implementation of the R-ARCSS and shares recommendations.
This discussion paper brings together three regional essays commissioned to explore what needs to happen. What needs to happen to ‘transform power’ to women and communities most affected by crises and conflict so that they shape the decisions that affect their lives? What would a feminist peace and security agenda look like? The essays illustrate how transformative change rarely comes from within the system; rather, it often comes from outside: from disruption by protest, and from women’s, youth, local and grassroots movements.
Between January and June Women’s International Peace Centre with and partners International Center for Transitional Justice-Uganda, African Youth Initiative Network (AYINET), Refugee Law Project (RLP), The Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Uganda) partnered with TRAC FM to collect real-time data from citizens using polls on the themes of the transitional justice policy. Through an interactive radio campaign, citizens discussed their conflict experiences, the lingering impact of human rights violations, efforts of government and other actors and appropriate measures for recovery, reconciliation and redress for victims and war-affected communities moving forward.
The purpose of this report is to share data and present citizens’ views and recommendations related to transitional justice to inform action by all stakeholders including government institutions, traditional and religious institutions and civil society.
COVID-19 has introduced different ways of working, connecting, relating and being. How do we adjust to this new world order and still enjoy the work that we do? How do we avoid burning out caused by isolation and overload of social media? COVID-19 has made us realise that we need to build a new sense of practice.
This guide provides selected nuggets which encompass both personal and organisational healing practices. The nuggets aim at supporting women human rights defenders and the women they support so that they can apprehend wholeness, be whole, and create wholeness.
In June, The Peace Centre concluded a 5-year project in partnership with Akwenyutu People Living with HIV/AIDS (APHAS) in conflict-affected North-eastern Uganda. The project aimed to build the resilience of women and enable them transfer the acquired skills and competences in livelihood boosting and peace building to the community.
This reflective report titled ‘Women Changing the Face of HIV&AIDS and Building Peace’ highlights the project impact, lessons learnt and the future plans for the group.
Local women-led organisations (WLO) and women’s rights organisations (WRO) play critically important roles in crisis response, but their efforts often lack both political and financial support. On 16th July, the UN launched an updated Global Humanitarian Response Plan (GHRP) for COVID-19. Women’s International Peace Centre took part in this survey led by CAFOD, CARE International UK, ActionAid, Danish Church Aid and Oxfam who partnered with local WLO and WRO partners in Lebanon, Jordan, Bangladesh, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Nigeria, Occupied Palestinian Territories and South Sudan to gather a snap-shot of the Covid19 response to date in terms of access to funding, partnerships and decision-making for WLO/WROs.
The joint policy brief summarises findings and recommendations on direct funding to these groups, indirect funding via international intermediary organisations (including UN agencies and INGOs), their participation in humanitarian coordination processes and post-COVID19 recovery.
A resource by Women for Women International on ensuring the inclusion of marginalised women in fragile and conflict states in COVID-19 prevention, response and recovery.
‘Unheard. Unseen.’ identifies five priority action areas and provides analysis and recommendations on the important policy changes that are so urgently needed for marginalised women affected by conflict. The report, also outlines how important it is to create space for marginalised women in conflict-affected countries to share their experiences and influence change.
Global Fund for Women and the Women’s International Peace Centre convened women human rights activists and organizations from Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda working to build peace, end sexual and gender-based violence, and combat the negative impact of the extractive industry on peace and women’s rights.
In the space, we assessed the progress and gaps in the women, peace, and security agenda in the region and defined a creative common vision and agenda for feminist peacebuilding.
This report highlights the discussions during the Regional Convening on Women’s Leadership in Peacebuilding in the Great Lakes region of Africa.
