Women of Faith and Civil Society Strengthen Partnership with IGAD on Peace and Security
Women leaders from across the Horn of Africa convened in Addis Ababa for a landmark regional engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. The meeting, organized by the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), brought together representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Held on 20th and 21st April 2026, the engagement created a vital platform for dialogue between grassroots women leaders and regional policymakers. Participants explored pathways to enhance women’s leadership and participation in peacebuilding efforts across the IGAD region. In her opening remarks, Rt. Rev. Lydia Neshangwe, highlighted the resilience and leadership of women in conflict-affected communities. She stressed that while women are often disproportionately affected by conflict, they remain central to mediation, reconciliation, and community cohesion. “Women are not merely victims of conflict; they are powerful agents of peace,” she stated, calling for a shift toward meaningful inclusion in policy and governance processes.
Participants engaged with IGAD’s policy frameworks and interrogated existing mechanisms and opportunities for strengthening the WPS agenda. A key outcome of the meeting was the development of a joint Call to Action, reflecting the collective priorities of women leaders across the region in enhancing women’s meaningful participation in peace processes, addressing climate-related security challenges, promoting digital literacy and security, strengthening early warning systems and expanding women’s leadership in peace and security.
The Call to Action was presented to IGAD representatives during a high-level policy dialogue. While receiving the call, Commander Abebe Muluneh reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to advancing the WPS agenda and deepening collaboration with women-led initiatives.
In the photo: Rev Lydia, President of AACC handing over the call to action to Commander Abebe, Director of IGAD Peace and Security Division. [Courtesy: IGAD)
