Category Archives: Africa

Democratic Republic of Congo: World Peace Foundation Celebrates the Interational Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Sent to CPNN by Dr John Mukhuta Muhiana

Here is a photo of our celebration of the International Day of Peace, along with excerpts from the ten-year report for our Foundation for 2010-2020.


The World Peace Foundation is a non-profit association created and working in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its field of activity is the entire population of the world in general and that of the DR Congo in particular. The main objective of the FPM is to restore the culture of Peace through the teachings or seminars it organizes in order to transmit the messages of Peace.

The vision on the creation of the World Peace Foundation was born in 1999 by Mr. John MUKHUTA MUHIANA living the unfortunate and massacred events in the Democratic Republic of Congo his country of origin, in Africa his continent and in the whole world his planet earth not only on a physical level, but also on a spiritual level.

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(Click here for the original version in French)

Question for this article

What has happened this year (2020) for the International Day of Peace?

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Our organization has continued to promote the culture of Peace with civil society actors by respecting the standards of respect for the promotion of Peace.

With regard to education for peace, we are working with 55 schools to promote education for peace in partnership with the Living Peace International project.

With regard to democratic participation, we support populations so that they appropriate democratic values, tolerance, non-violence, participation in the management of public affairs, transparency and accountability, solidarity between citizens.

We make populations aware of the peaceful settlement of conflicts, peaceful cohabitation, respect for gender and the protection of the vulnerable (women, children, the elderly, handicaps).

2010 to 2020 the Foundation carried out a lot of activities; we thank the governor of the province as well as the president of the provincial assembly of Lualaba who always accompanies us.

Media used: WANGU RTV, MIKUBA, AMANI, TOP LUALABA, YALISANO, RCL, PALMIER, RTMA, NATURE …

Our Foundation has organized many activities: the International Day of Peace, the Day of Non-violence, the Day of the death of Ghandi, etc.

We have also resolved customary conflicts and in different families.

Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Central Africa: Video Conference for International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Sent to CPNN by Jerry Bibang

As part of the commemoration of the International Day of Peace, celebrated this year under the theme “Shaping peace together”, the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (Unoca) and the Central Africa Office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), organized, on September 21, 2020, a video conference dedicated to peace issues and security.


The meeting brought together about sixty participants, in particular experts from the UN, ECCAS, civil society as well as researchers, It lasted for nearly four hours, allowing for discussion on several themes including the challenges of calls to cease fire, preventive diplomacy, the commitment of civil society to the culture of peace, the social responsibility of journalists in the promotion of the culture of peace, among others.

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(Click here for the original version in French)

Question for this article

What has happened this year (2020) for the International Day of Peace?

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During this high-level meeting, in the presence of the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Head of UNOCA, the President of ECCAS, the Sub-Regional Representative of UNESCO, PAYNCOP Gabon invited the various organizations to strengthen the capacities of local actors in awareness raising, preventive diplomacy, mediation and peaceful resolution of crises and conflicts.

For Jerry Bibang, the National Coordinator of PAYNCOP Gabon, “it is necessary to involve young people at all levels of the peace process, particularly in awareness-raising, prevention, mediation as well as post-conflict operations, in accordance with RESOLUTION 2250 (Jeunes, peace and security) of the United Nations.

“For the latter to be able to participate effectively, we must first train them, equip them, and strengthen their capacities,” he explained. “The current Covid19 pandemic sufficiently shows that international actors are no longer sufficient for peace operations, as their movements are strictly limited due to the disease. It is therefore necessary to involve local actors, especially young people who constitute a strategic demographic dividend for the culture of peace in Africa.”

Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Gabon: Payncop and Unesco in Support of People Living with Disabilities

TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY . .

Special to CPNN from Jerry Bibang

As part of these activities relating to the Covid19 pandemic, the National Coordination of the Pan-African Youth Network for the Culture of Peace (PAYNCoP Gabon) launched, on Tuesday September 15, 2020, the support project for people living with a handicap.


The initiative, which benefits from the support of UNESCO and the National Commission for UNESCO, supports the actions of public authorities. The project consists of three components, in particular an awareness campaign on barrier gestures, the distribution of bibs and hydroalcoholic gels and the provision of food.

(Click here for the original version in French.)

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Question related to this article:
 
How can we work together to overcome this medical and economic crisis?

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According to Jerry Bibang, the National Coordinator of PAYNCoP Gabon, “the project involves four associations including the Organization of Handicapped People (OPH), the National Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Gabon (ANAAG), the Association of the Deaf (ANDES ) and the NGO Bagniamessebe. It will impact a total of 50 Gabonese families, or around 200 people.”

For the National Commission for UNESCO, “this project helps implement the resilience strategies advocated by the Gabonese Government and UNESCO, in this period of global health crisis, marked by the Covid19 pandemic.” This was explained by Philippe MEMENE M’EYI, its Deputy Secretary General.

The urgent support project for people living with a disability follows on from other actions carried out by PAYNCoP Gabon since the onset of the pandemia. These include, among others, the awareness campaign on social networks, in partnership with the National Youth Council; participation in the awareness-raising video on fakes news around Covid19, produced by UNESCO; the establishment of hand washing points in the neighborhoods of Libreville, in partnership with the NGO Engineers Without Borders and the New World Citizen Laboratory; and the production of two comics, dedicated to raising awareness among young people about Covid19.

Africa, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Burkina Faso : The 5th edition of Sotigui Awards looks at the contribution of women filmmakers to the culture of peace

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article by Judith Sanou in Le Faso

From November 12 to 14, 2020 the 5th edition of the Sotigui Awards will be held in Ouagadougou. The organizers of this event, namely the Académie des Sotigui, in partnership with FESPACO, held a press conference on Saturday, September 5, 2020, to announce the festival. [FESPACO is the Panafrican Festival of Cinéma and Télévision of Ouagadougou.] 


The participants in the press conference

Launched in 2015, Sotigui Awards is an initiative of the Academy of Sotigui, African Cinematographic Arts and the Diaspora, in partnership with FESPACO. This event aims to contribute to the recognition and enhancement of the profession of African actors and comedians. The 5th edition is held under the theme “Culture of Peace: The Contribution of Women in Cinema and Audiovisual? “.

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(Click here for the original French version of this article.)

Question for this article:

Film festivals that promote a culture of peace, Do you know of others?

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According to the president of the Académie des Sotigui, Kévin Evrard Moné, this theme is justified by the observation that women of the 7th art continue to make their contribution in the face of adversities including terrorist attacks, the crisis of Covid-19 and all forms of violence experienced by women.

The 2020 edition, which will be held from November 12 to 14, features sixteen categories in competition and some innovations. It includes the opening of the “Sotigui of the African public” for almost all categories; the award ceremony which amounts to 20,000 CFA francs; and the organization of an “After Sotigui” with the movie stars in partnership with the Bravia Hotel.

Forty actors and comedians from Africa were nominated for this edition. According to Akoubou François Adianaga, commissioner in charge of the selection, the method of appointing actors and actors is based on several criteria: the credibility of the actor in the role he or she plays, the ability and the quality of conversation of the actor and the quality of the acting.

While waiting for the award ceremony, participants can watch film screenings, a round table on the theme of publishing, practical training sessions in acting, and a panel on piracy organized by Canal +. All these activities will take place in compliance with barrier measures in this period of Covid-19, reassured Gustave Sorgho, commissioner in charge of external relations.

For this edition, special tribute will be paid to the actor Chadwick Boseman [whose Hollywood roles included Jackie Robinson and James Brown], who died on August 28 in Los Angeles. Also the concept “Hashtag – we dress as Africans” will be highlighted during this edition, a way of highlighting African culture in all its forms.

Africa, EDUCATION FOR PEACE

ECOSOCC / Morocco: Launch of the e-caravan of peace, flagship event of Amnesty Month in Africa

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

An article by Hicham Alaoui in MSN (translation by CPNN)

The e-Caravan of Peace, a flagship event of the “Month of Amnesty in Africa 2020”, was launched on Tuesday from Rabat, capital of Morocco, to travel [virtually] through all African countries, with the objectives of promoting values ​​of peace, tolerance, solidarity and pan-African integration.


(click on image to enlarge)

Initiated by the Moroccan Association Key to Peace for Development and Solidarity, the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union (ECOSOCC-UA) and the Moroccan national chapter of ECOSOCC-UA, this virtual caravan is part of the AU theme for this year namely “Silencing the Guns: Creating the Conditions for Africa’s Development”.

The silence of the guns on the continent, a wish of the populations of the African hemisphere, is a long process which requires a very strong commitment to implement the policies, frameworks of action and instruments of the African Union.

Indeed, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons is clearly linked to the violent conflicts that continue to undermine peace and development in Africa. This situation leaves the continent very vulnerable, these weapons causing enormous destruction and claiming many victims.

In Africa, the dynamics of conflicts and current trends in arms trafficking are changing due to the evolving nature and diversity of actors, such as pirates, terrorists and criminal organizations. This means that the existing challenges persist while becoming more complex.

The AU’s 2063 vision calls for a solid partnership to establish synergies and effective coordination between the various initiatives in order to reduce armed conflicts in Africa. It is to raise awareness of the importance of this theme of the year of the AU, that the e-Caravan of Peace, as an initiative of civil society, has mobilized to promote the culture of peace, solidarity and living together, to build a continent free of conflicts where the conditions for a decent life are guaranteed.

It is nonetheless true that in the face of the current dynamics of conflicts and new trends in the arms trade, a strong partnership with civil society is highly crucial. At this critical juncture, it is important to highlight the role it can play in ending conflicts, promoting peace and raising awareness in local communities.

The e-Caravan proposes to:

* fight against the illicit arms trade, destabilization and misuse of small arms and light weapons in Africa,

* undertake awareness-raising campaigns through traditional and social media in AU Member States,

* create an enabling climate the participation of civil society organizations in peace processes in Africa

* and establish a solid partnership between governments and ECOSOCC on issues related to peace and security in Africa.

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(Click here for a version of this article in French.)

Question for this article:

Can the African Union help bring a culture of peace to Africa?

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According to the vice-president of ECOSOCC for the North African region, Khalid Boudali, the e-Caravan of peace is a solidarity event aimed at “rallying all stakeholders to participate in humanitarian action for help establish peace and security on the continent and free Africa from the yoke of armed conflict ”. For him, the e-Caravan constitutes a milestone in the efforts made for an Africa without conflicts or wars.

It is also designed to support the ongoing efforts of the various actors and at the same time take stock of the progress made so far with the objective of strengthening peace and security in Africa, said Mr. Boudali, who presides over the destinies of the Key International Association for Peace for Development and Solidarity. “The social, economic and political factors that motivate groups and communities to acquire these weapons must be addressed. It is undeniable that efforts to disarm communities must take into account security and development concerns and offer them alternatives to crime and other illicit activities,” he said.

As a conflict prevention tool, the African Peace and Security Architecture, and all its supporting instruments, appear to be very effective. However, it is important that the African Union continues its efforts to ensure that the implementation of Program 2063, launched to build a prosperous continent endowed with good governance, respecting human rights and encouraging popular participation. and development, remains at the center of its efforts.

It should be noted that the e-Caravan will take place on a virtual platform in all Member States of the African Union during the month of September. Awareness-raising actions and debates will be initiated every week at the national level, in cooperation with the national platform of civil society organizations with a series of webinars to present the results and recommendations made in each of the five regions of the continent.

The culmination of the e-Caravan will be the holding, on September 30, 2020, of an e-symposium on public policies, an event during which the overall report of the activities and the recommendations adopted during the various activities carried out at all levels, national and regional, will be presented.

The initiative to hold the Caravan as a virtual event was dictated by the current situation marked by the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting consequences, in particular the closure of air, land and sea borders.

In fact, a Caravan of peace, solidarity and pan-African integration, which the Moroccan Key Association for Peace for Development and Solidarity intended to organize, and was going to travel through 12 African countries, was about to be organized. But with the arrival of the coronavirus, it was changed from a real-world event to a virtual event. Thus, the overland journey of this Caravan has turned into an e-journey.

Africa, DISARMAMENT & SECURITY

Sudan: Darfur deal welcomed by UN chief as ‘historic achievement’

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

An article from the United Nations

A peace agreement between Sudanese authorities and key armed movements from Darfur could provide a path to national unity, the head of the joint UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) said on Monday. Secretary-General António Guterres later described it  as an “historic achievement” towards lasting peace.


UNAMID/Albert Gonzalez Farran. UNAMID, in collaboration with the North Darfur Committee on Women, organised an open day session on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security (file photo).

Sudan’s transitional Government initialled the deal alongside the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) and Sudan Liberation Movement–Minni Minnawi (SLM/MM), at a ceremony held in neighbouring South Sudan. 

Determination, courage and commitment 

“The Secretary-General congratulates the people of the Sudan for this historic achievement and commends the parties to the negotiations for their political will and determination in working toward the common objective of peace”, said the statement released on Monday night in New York.

“He also thanks the Government of South Sudan and President Salva Kiir for their important role in facilitating the talks. The Secretary-General calls on the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North–Abdelaziz Al-Hilu and the Sudan Liberation Movement–Abdul Wahid Al-Nur to join the peace process.”

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Question for this article:

Can peace be achieved in South Sudan?

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Mr. Guterres said he was fully committed to supporting the implementation of the agreement, “which marks the start of a new era for the people of the Sudan and for people living in Darfur and the Two Areas, in particular. This will require sustained commitment and collaboration between the parties and the people of the Sudan.”

Earlier, Jeremiah Mamabolo, the UNAMID Joint Special Representative who attended the ceremony, said  the deal was a “significant step” and commended in particular the signatory parties for their “determination, courage and commitment to lasting peace in Sudan”.

17 years of brutal fighting

It is expected that the peace agreement will end 17 years of often brutal conflict in Darfur. 

Fighting between the forces of former President Omar al-Bashir, backed by allied militia, and various rebel movements, left around 300,000 dead, according to UN estimates, and millions displaced. 

President al-Bashir was overthrown in April 2019 following unrest that began in December 2018. 

 “We hope that this agreement is perceived as the start of a process that includes all in a positive move towards peace, justice and national unity. This includes the full realization of the hopes, dreams and aspirations of all the people of Sudan, including Darfuris”, said Mr. Mamabolo. 

Praise for South Sudan mediation 

At the ceremony, the UNAMID chief conveyed greetings from UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the AU Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki. 

He also applauded the South Sudanese mediation team for facilitating the negotiation process amidst challenges. 
Mr. Mamabolo hoped that those parties who remain outside will soon join the peace process to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the Sudanese people and the objectives of the December 2018 Revolution. 

“To that end, the United Nations and the African Union remain committed to supporting this process to the very last day of UNAMID’s mandate”, he said. 

Africa, DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, Mideast,

Côte d’Ivoire: traditional chiefs gather in Yamoussoukro

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

An article by TKEmile in KOACI (translation by CPNN)

A great meeting between the Mediator of the Republic and the National Chamber of Kings and Traditional Chiefs of Côte d’Ivoire was held at the Félix Houphouët Boigny Foundation for the search for peace in Yamoussoukro, hosted this Saturday, August 29, as noted on the spot by KOACI,.


Traditional leaders at the Foundation in Yamoussoukro (photo by KOACI)

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(Click here for the original French version of this article.)

Question related to this article:

How should elections be organized in a true democracy?

The Houghouët-Boigny Foundation of Yamoussoukro: what is its contribution to the culture of peace?

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This meeting which saw the effective participation of the President of the National Chamber of Kings and Traditional Chiefs, His Majesty Amon Désiré Tanoe, of the Minister of State, Minister to the President of the Republic, in charge of Relations with Institutions, Gilbert Kafana Koné, was placed under the theme “the mechanisms for establishing a lasting peace in Côte d’Ivoire.”

The Mediator of the Republic, Adama Toungara, said that the kings and traditional leaders of the country on mission are at the heart of the culture of peace, pledge of lasting stability and harmonious development of Côte d’Ivoire. “I remain convinced that it is with the involvement of all, members of the government, traditional leaders, political leaders, religious guides and civil society, that we will succeed in forging and sustainably maintaining the image of fraternity, solidarity, union and peace.” said the mediator.

About 200 chiefs, from 108 departments of Côte d’Ivoire, took part in the meeting in Yamoussoukro this Saturday. The Mediator of the Republic and the President of the National Chamber of Kings and Traditional Chiefs, called on the traditional chiefs, guarantors of customs and traditions, to be messengers of Peace and social cohesion in their different villages, cantons and kingdoms in this election year. To conclude, they invited the political actors in the right tone and to avoid any action likely to undermine the peace and the unity of the Nation.

Africa, DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

Burkina: The Movement for the Culture of Peace and Love of the Fatherland

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

An article from Le Faso

The Movement for the Culture of Peace and Love of the Fatherland (MPAP) held its second ordinary congress on August 29 and 30, 2020 in Bobo-Dioulasso. This meeting brought together the officers from 13 regions and the focal points of the 45 provinces of Burkina Faso under the theme: “Election year in Burkina Faso: what contribution for a free and transparent election, pledge of peace and social cohesion?”. The ceremony which took place on Saturday, August 29, 2020, was sponsored by the chef de canton des bobos mandarès.

The elections of November 22, 2020 crystallize debates both nationally and sub-regionally. They constitute a major stake for the consolidation of democracy and social cohesion.

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(Click here for the original French version of this article.)

Question related to this article:

How should elections be organized in a true democracy?

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According to the president of the Movement for the Culture of Peace and the Love of the Fatherland (MPAP), Samuel Kalkoumdo, these elections are being held in extremely difficult conditions, in that there are more than a million displaced people under conditions of insecurity that persist and make localities inaccessible. “In this condition, how can we succeed to hold free, transparent and universally accepted elections and avoid a social divide?” he asked.

It is in this context that the MPAP is committed to the quest for social cohesion, peace and living together through its congress held in the city of Sya. For the president of the MPAP, this is what motivated the choice of the topic of reflection which will allow the delegates to return home, seasoned and enlightened, to be real vectors of peace in their respective localities.

“The choice of this theme is imperative. In such a context, the country must be united. We must advocate social cohesion in order to be able to hope to build a bright future. All 45 provinces are represented at this congress. And during the two days of work, the delegates will be trained and steeped in experience,” he said.

Participants will take part in several communications, including one on the electoral process. “We are convinced that if people understand how the process is going, they will be less inclined to say without evidence that there has been fraud. The participants will be trained as association leaders, in order to be able to send a message of peace to the population,” explains the president of the MPAP. The Burkinabè shoujld cultivate peace by working for free and transparent elections accepted by all.

Africa, DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

Culture of Peace in Guinea: Journalists Equipped with a ‘Common Ground Approach’ for Managing Rumors During Election Periods

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

An article by Adama Hawa Bah in Guinee 360 (translation by CPNN)

On the initiative of the international NGO Search for Common Ground, ten journalists from the written press and online media benefited from training on the roles and behaviors that journalists should adopt during elections: conflict-sensitive journalism, rumor management and the “Common Ground approach ”.

This USAID-funded project is part of the ” Electoral Capacity Building, Orderly Standards and Democratic Responsibilities” executed by Search for Common Ground with the theme ”the Common Ground Approach, the Journalist’s Role in election period and rumor management.”. The meeting served to remind media workers of their responsibilities before, during and after the elections.

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(Click here for the original French version of this article.)

Question related to this article:

How should elections be organized in a true democracy?

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“We know that the press plays a crucial role in the elections. We decided to talk to the media to remind them of their responsibilities in the conduct of his elections so that they do their job in a professional and responsible manner,” explained Fanta Conté, program manager at Search for Common Ground.

“We hope that these two days of work (25 and 26 August) will allow journalists to play their roles and do their work in a professional manner during this election period. After this workshop, we will establish a partnership with the participating bodies. They will produce articles on the electoral process but also on the promotion of peace because, it is important to educate citizens and to get people to understand how to participate in an election. … ”

Siba Guilavogui represented the editorial staff of the nimbanews.org site at this workshop. He was especially impressed by the quality of the modules provided by the trainers.

“I am very pleased with the quality of this workshop. The topics discussed were interesting. The presidential election will take place soon in our country and it is often peppered with violence. So as a man of the media, I have to know how to identify the right information to publish, to know how to give information that is in the sense of advocating peace instead of contributing to violence. ”

Nowadays, many people call themselves journalists without knowing the ethics and professional conduct of the profession, regrets Mantenin Sacko, a reporter who received the training. “I would like to thank the organizers for this great initiative, which has increased our knowledge of the journalistic profession. This training allowed us to learn much more about the social responsibility of journalists, and the behavior they should adopt during an election period. It also allowed us to understand a lot of things about life in society through practical exercises. It made a big impression on me,” she said.

Africa, DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

International Alert Programme on Women, Peace and Security in Nigeria

. WOMEN’S EQUALITY .

An article from International Alert

In 2000, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1325, which stressed the importance of the equal participation and full involvement of women in all efforts to maintain and promote peace and security. This resolution, with its four pillars of prevention, participation, protection, and peacebuilding and recovery, has become the focal point for galvanizing worldwide efforts to deal with the many challenges that women face in situations of conflict.

International Alert is implementing a programme on Women, Peace and Security in Nigeria, to support the federal government’s commitments to localising the broad goal of gender-inclusive and sustainable peace. Alert will support the Ministries of Women Affairs to develop action plans to support engagement with legislative, security and judicial actors to facilitate strategic policy-making that accounts for gender dynamics in dealing with conflict issues.

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(Click here for the original Spanish version)

Question for this article

Can the women of Africa lead the continent to peace?

UN Resolution 1325, does it make a difference?

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Alert will also identify, enable and support a network of women mediators who will take tangible action on peace and security issues; amplify messaging that promotes women’s participation and leadership in decision-making on peace and security; and identify male champions to influence social behaviour change towards women’s participation in peace and security mechanisms.

This will help to increase women’s effective participation in peace and security processes, peace negotiations, and conflict prevention and resolution. It will also help improve public perception on the role of women in peace and security, at all levels.

This project is currently implemented in Bauchi, Ningi, Tafawa Balewa and Itas Gadau Local Government Areas of Bauchi and Gwer West, Guma, Logo and Agatu Local Government Areas of Benue State, respectively.

The project run from July 2019 to November 2020.

Africa, WOMEN'S EQUALITY