“Magnifying Women’s Role in Conflict Prevention and Silencing the Guns.”

What: The Gender forum is an event preceding the 9th High-Level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance. The Gender Pre-Forum will focus on “Magnifying the role of women in conflict prevention to silencing the guns in Africa.”

When: 19-20 November 2020.

Where: A two-day virtual event. To participate register here-
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bJov5IInSxGJ3dWNECUUWw

Who: Convened by the African Governance Architecture Secretariat, the Gender Pre-Forum will bring together various stakeholders, including, among others African Union Member States; policy makers; the private sector; Civil Society Organizations; women’s rights organizations; women’s movements; think tanks; academia and youth organizations.

Background

Evidence shows that women are systematically excluded from participation in or leading cultural, political, social and economic aspects of democratic governance. Women can bring about change and positive impact on conflict prevention. Women are not only victims but are incredible leaders, peacemakers, negotiators and mediators with capabilities in de-escalating violence and preventing conflict before it happens.

Gender equality and meaningful engagement of women is imperative in strengthening democratic governance which is central to achieving sustainable development and peace in Africa. Women need to take a central stage in decision making, institutional building and leadership which is crucial in bringing to the fore the capabilities of women to create and sustain everlasting peace in the continent. More specifically, women’s role in breaking the cycle of conflict through highlighting their engagement in structural prevention of conflict, conflict management and post-conflict reconstruction will need to be streamlined as a significant contribution to silencing the guns on the continent.

The Gender Pre-Forum will highlight the contributions made by women and ensure more investments are made for their meaningful engagement.

For more details, visit the 9th High Level Dialogue.

For further information please contact:

Doreen Apollos, Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission | E-mail: ApollosD@africa-union,org | www.au.int|Addis Ababa | Ethiopia