WILPF 2017 Africa Regional Meeting
Some of the participants of the December 2017 WILPF Africa Regional Conference in Ghana. (Photo Credit: Micheline Muzaneza)
On 2-3 December 2017, the section of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (WILPF DRC) hosted WILPF’s 2017 Africa Regional meeting in Kinshasa. The event was attended by activists from South Africa, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe, the DRC, as well as the representatives of WILPF Sweden and WILPF International.
The participants shared experiences on how to strengthen the feminist peace movement, address common obstacles, build capacity and support mobilising for feminist peace.
The sessions included learning from the Women Situation Room in Nigeria and Cameroon and from the research on gender and militarised supply chains in the DRC. Several session provided training on how to conduct advocacy around UNSCR 1325, organise effective communications and outreach and ensure security. Other served to explain the process of becoming a section (aimed at emerging groups), provide overview of the WILPF 2018 International Congress in Ghana and prepare for the WILPF DRC 10th Anniversary High-Level Event.
Building on a history of vibrant movement building in Africa, the participants strengthened networks of solidarity for action. They built skills and strategies for translating Women, Peace and Security, disarmament and women’s human rights commitments into accomplishments that make a difference for women at the local level.