On Friday, May 9, I had the pleasure of attending a “Solidarity Conference on Women, Peace, and Security: Voices of Women within a Global Environment of Escalating Conflict.” The conference was hosted by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, SA, through the Gertrude Shope Women’s Mediation Network.
Women from several countries shared their conflict-related experiences, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Palestine, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Mozambique. Women Mediation Networks from Colombia, the South African Women in Dialogue Sawid Secretariat, FemWise-Africa, and the Ibero-America Network also contributed their insights.
Messages of support were received from Civil Society, the Norwegian Embassy, and UN Women.
Honourable Minister Ronald Lamola of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation opened the conference and received the South African National Peace Charter from the organisers.
My Main takeaways:
1. Women’s participation in peace processes is key to sustainable peace.
2. Women experience similar impacts of conflict wherever it occurs, making solidarity and collaboration essential in elevating women’s voices for peace.
3. Celebrate and acknowledge the role of women in peace-making processes-while the women are still alive. The Getrude Shope Women’s Mediation Network is a good example.
4. Women’s Mediation Networks play a critical role in peacebuilding and should be supported by all stakeholders.