Women, Gender, Peace And Security: AU Launches Continental Strategy To Empower Women In Conflict Zones

 

By Nokai Origin

The African Union has launched a continental strategy aimed at strengthening women’s participation in peacebuilding and security operations, aligning with the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda to address conflict-related gender disparities.

Desk: Gender | Peace | Security
Date: Monday, 9 February 2026
Time: 15:00 WAT
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

According to a statement issued by the AU Commissioner for Women, Gender and Development, Ambassador Fatou Binta, the strategy prioritizes women’s leadership in conflict prevention, early warning mechanisms, and post-conflict reconstruction. 

Ambassador Binta emphasized that inclusive decision-making and gender-sensitive security approaches are critical to reducing violence against women and girls and promoting societal resilience.

The AU plan includes capacity-building programs for female peacekeepers, legal and psychosocial support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, and mechanisms to integrate women’s perspectives into regional conflict resolution frameworks.

Fact-Check And Background Context

The AU WPS Agenda complements UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which recognizes the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and the importance of their participation in peace processes. 

Despite progress, women’s representation in decision-making, peace negotiations, and security sector leadership remains limited in many African countries.

The strategy signals the AU’s commitment to operationalize gender-sensitive security policies across Africa, foster women’s leadership in peacebuilding, and strengthen multi-sectoral responses to gender-based violence in conflict and post-conflict contexts.

🏷 Tags: Women, Gender, Peace, Security, AfricanUnion, ConflictResolution

#WPS #GenderEquality #Peace #AfricanUnion #ZigDiaries