IDENTIFYING ROOT CAUSES OF CONFLICT AND PATHWAYS TO PEACE IN WEST AFRICA AND THE SAHEL

Gender Associations supported and facilitated a three-day workshop organized by UNOWAS for the Youth, Women, Peace and Security Working Group in West Africa and the Sahel on gender-responsive conflict analysis.

Core security issues in the West Africa and Sahel region include violent extremism, increased militarization, political coups and stark inequalities. In order to find effective and sustainable solutions, the root causes of these dynamics and phenomena must be identified. A gender-responsive conflict and political analysis can help to reveal unequal power dynamics and social inequalities that can lead to radicalization, violence and armed conflict. From 20-22 March 2023, Gender Associations facilitated a workshop led by the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) on gender-responsive conflict analysis for the Youth, Women, Peace and Security Working Group in West Africa and the Sahel.

The workshop was opened by the Honorable Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection of the Republic of Ghana, Mrs. Lariba Zuweira Abudi, in the presence of Mr. Charles Paul Iheanacho Abani, UN Resident Coordinator Ghana and Major-General Francis Adu-Amanfoh, Special Advisor to the President of Ghana on the Accra Initiative. Workshop participants included government representatives, United Nations employees and civil society organizations from the region.

The workshop covered different gender and conflict analysis frameworks that were applied to case studies and country context scenarios. Data collection tools and methods for identifying the root causes of conflict, violent extremism and relevant gender aspects were also explored. Members of the Youth, Women, Peace and Security Working Group in West Africa and the Sahel also brainstormed on how they could commit and collaborate towards more peaceful and equal societies in the region.

Members of the Women, Youth, Peace and Security Working Group in West Africa and the Sahel analyzing drivers of conflict and peace in the region
Members of the Women, Youth, Peace and Security Working Group in West Africa and the Sahel analyzing drivers of conflict and peace in the region
Members of the Women, Youth, Peace and Security Working Group in West Africa and the Sahel analyzing drivers of conflict and peace in the region

Members of the Women, Youth, Peace and Security Working Group in West Africa and the Sahel analyzing drivers of conflict and peace in the region

Here is the official press release: https://unowas.unmissions.org/capacity-building-workshop-gender-sensitive-conflict-political-analysis-and-regional-priorities

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

GAIC Gender Associations International Consulting GmbH

For all inquiries please use our
contact form or send us an e-mail to contact@genderassociations.com

PROFESSIONALIZING

PEACE AND SECURITY

+49 (0)157 35527434
c/o Ufer Berlin, Paul-Lincke-Ufer 41
10999 Berlin, Germany

Copyright 2019 © All rights Reserved.

NICOLA POPOVIC

Co-Founder and Director of Gender Associations

Nicola has mainly focused on issues such as the implementation of UNSCR 1325, international law at the domestic and regional level, on gender-sensitive security sector reform and on the prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence in peacekeeping missions. She holds a Masters (LLM) in International Peace Support Operations, as well as a degree in Political, Social and Communication Science. Nicola has lived and worked in Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and South and West Africa. She has developed, implemented and evaluated training programmes, action-oriented research, projects, as well as policy development processes for the United Nations, different governments and NGOs.

NICOLA POPOVIC

Co-Founder and Director of Gender Associations

Nicola has mainly focused on issues such as the implementation of UNSCR 1325, international law at the domestic and regional level, on gender-sensitive security sector reform and on the prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence in peacekeeping missions. She holds a Masters (LLM) in International Peace Support Operations, as well as a degree in Political, Social and Communication Science. Nicola has lived and worked in Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and South and West Africa. She has developed, implemented and evaluated training programmes, action-oriented research, projects, as well as policy development processes for the United Nations, different governments and NGOs.