How Can Networking Initiatives Contribute to Building Peace in Africa?
Interview with Mary Balikungeri, Chair of Women as Partners for Peace in Africa (WOPPA), December 2001
 
First of all, what is WOPPA?
 
Let me first go back to how the initiative started.  It began through the US State Department International Visitors Regional Project entitled "The Great Lakes Initiative: Women as Partners for Peace in Africa."  This program was unique in that it brought together women whose countries are involved in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) war-Angola, DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Zimbabwe.  Women from South Africa and Zambia also attended due to their countriesâ indirect involvement in the war.  This meeting took place from February 14 to March 3, 2001 and the focus was on discussing women's roles and the importance of their participation in the peace process.
 
While in the US, we visited different institutions working in conflict resolution with the objective of looking at how women are participating in and contributing to processes of conflict resolution and mediation.  Related to this, we were trying to observe the role citizens can play as catalysts for peace through non-violent processes.  Another objective was to see the role of coalition building such as networking in strengthening the peace process.
 
An interesting aspect of these types of meeting is that they always result in some sort of agenda.  Out of our meeting, we developed a plan of action and adopted certain resolutions.  We also gave ourselves a name, WOPPA (Women as Partners for Peace in Africa).  What does WOPPA mean?  That women want to be involved in the peace building process, especially since women usually are the biggest victims in violent conflict.  The first chapter of WOPPA was the Rwanda chapter and we have extended our work into other African countries and are hoping to build on this.
 
What are the goals and focus of WOPPA's work?
 
Our main goals are the following:

1. Networking in order to strengthen the work of organizations that support women as participation in peace building activities.
 
2. Mainstreaming women's participation at all levels including policies and conflict prevention and resolution programmes geared towards peace promotion on the African Continent.
 
3. Transform conflict not simply through the cessation of killing but also through peace building programmes.
 
4. Bridge the gap between at what happens at the policy tables and activities on the ground.
 
In regards to our actual activities, I will speak mainly about Rwanda because that was the first WOPPA chapter and thus has done the most work so far.  In Rwanda, WOPPA is focusing on research to find out what types of peace activities are going on.  For example, the Rwandan Womenâs Network has been doing a lot of work in the area of violence against women and we are looking at their work to see how that can be expanded.  Also, we are looking at the work of health and charity organizations to see what is the role of economic and social empowerment in advancing peace.  Once we have compiled this research on what types of activities are being undertaken, we can then work towards expanding and strengthening these projects.  For example, we can start training trainers, lobbying the government and increasing the capacities of Rwandan women in regards to conflict resolution.  A major function of WOPPA is to bring together those organizations working for peace to see how their programs can be more effective and to encourage joint action.
 
Another focus of our work is on cross border activities.  For example, in the context of the current conflict in Burundi, we need to see what our role can be to help in this situation, especially by assisting them to learn from our experiences in peace building.  Also, we are trying to expand our work beyond those countries directly involved in the DRC war.  For example, a WOPPA chapter is being formed in Kenya which was not involved in the war. Yet there are many Kenyan women who now want to make a contribution to the peace building process.  We are hoping to work with organizations both regionally and internationally so that we have a network of partners whom we can call upon to voice our issues and support us.  As part of this network building process, we want to popularize our story of genocide and disseminate our philosophy so that others understand our experience.
 
What has been the success of WOPPA so far and what are some next steps?
 
In June, we organized a follow-up meeting in Kigali in order to consult with other sisters from Africa and present our work and vision.  We wanted to see what their contribution can be to the success of WOPPA and communicate the fact that their contribution is crucial.  During that meeting, the plan of action was shared and, as a result, WOPPA chapters are in place. Rwanda and DRC chapters have been officially launched while Zimbabwe, Kenya and Uganda are involved in countrywide consultations with local organizations undertaking peace building activities.
 
Our main task now is to continue meeting as WOPPA chapters and those forming WOPPA chapters to strategize and move the organization forward.  We are hoping to organize such a meeting soon.

SOURCE: http://www.awid.org/article.pl?sid=01/12/03/2227213&mode=thread