Africa Women Voices for Peace Project Launched
By Andrew Onapito
On August 1, 2024, Gulu City hosted the inaugural meeting for the Africa Women Voices for Peace (AWVP) Project. The purpose of this meeting was for ActionAid International Uganda(AAIU) to introduce the AWVP initiative, establish a solid foundation, and ensure alignment among key stakeholders regarding the project’s objectives, scope, resources, and timeline.
The event gathered participants from Gulu, Amuru, and Kitgum, including district officials, partner organizations, women-led groups, and leaders, as well as staff from ActionAid International Uganda (AAIU) involved in the project.
During the meeting, Ritah Nanyonga, the AWVP Project Coordinator, outlined the project's goals and key activities. "The purpose of the African Women Voices for Peace Platform is to elevate the voices of women from conflict-affected regions, enabling them to shape and drive the women's peace and security agenda in the Great Lakes region of Africa," Nanyonga explained.
The Judith Neilson Foundation funds the AWVP, which will operate in Uganda and Kenya, while also engaging regionally with representatives from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The AWVP's initiatives focus on supporting conflict survivors by addressing their immediate protection, economic, and healthcare needs, which are crucial for their sustainable participation in peace, security, and justice processes at both national and regional levels. These needs were identified through consultations with women-led community-based organizations involved in the regional convening.
This project builds upon ActionAid’s extensive efforts over the past nine years to advance transitional justice for women from conflict-affected communities. It also follows a regional convening held in Kampala last July, which brought together a working group from ActionAid's branches in Uganda, Kenya, DRC, Ethiopia, and Australia, as well as women on the frontlines of conflict in the Great Lakes region. This gathering aimed to create a platform for an African women-led safe space to discuss strategies and identify actions to elevate the women, peace, and security agenda.
The project was met with enthusiasm and gratitude from the women involved, who appreciated ActionAid International Uganda’s commitment. They noted that, unlike other organizations, ActionAid has conducted research with them and returned to offer tangible support. The AWVP, which commenced on July 1, 2024, represents a long-term commitment, with plans to run for two years.
