Youth and Peace Education (YPE)

Women in Peacebuilding (WIPNET)

In West Africa where cultural and tradition has made patriarchal practices a norm, women’s roles and their voices as critical stakeholders in societal or community peacebuilding have been underutilized and/or undermined. WANEP believes that for peacebuilding to be effective, it must be all inclusive and take in to account the voices and contributions of women, who make up more than half of the population of the sub-region. WANEP holds that until women are supported to occupy the space to promote peace and human security in the sub region, sustainable peace and development will continue to be elusive. Experience has proven that the predominant patriarchal faces of wars and conflicts have created a hierarchy in peacetime where men are relied upon to develop frameworks and strategies for rebuilding war torn societies.  

Objectives of WIPNET:

• Enhance the participation of women in all WANEP’s initiatives and programmes;

• Strengthen the capacity of women to participate in peacebuilding at local, national, sub-regional and international levels in accordance with UN Resolution 1325; 

• Provide a forum/platform for women at the grassroots to actively participate in peacebuilding and conflict prevention;

• Mainstream gender perspectives into national and regional mechanisms on peace and (human) security;

• Promote women’s participation in formal peace processes, governance and decision making institutions.  

As West African countries emerge out of conflict and enter into the post-conflict phase, it is vital for women to remain relevant in this process so the gains made will be sustainable and consolidated. 

WANEP, through the Women in Peacebuilding Network (WIPNET) will enhance the participation of women in all WANEP’s initiatives at national level; strengthen the capacity of women to participate in peacebuilding at all levels. Through community and FM radio stations and other media outlets, and other innovative platforms, WANEP will continue to provide a platform for women at the grassroots to amplify their voices and participate in peacebuilding in their respective communities. Mainstreaming gender into national and regional mechanisms on peace and security is a cross-cutting issue in all of WANEP’s programs.

Mainstreaming gender perspective into peacebuilding and conflict prevention frame works will be encouraged.  This is also to develop concrete gender specific programs that seek to bring about gender equilibrium, gender equity and justice. This will be achieved through the incorporation of gender perspectives in the activities of the broad base membership constituencies of WANEP at local and national levels. In order to promote women’s participation in formal peace processes, WANEP will continue to partner with duty bearing institutions such the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs in West Africa, National Parliaments, ECOWAS Gender Department and other relevant bodies and institutions.

Expected Outputs

• A pool of empowered women to actively engage in peace and security in West Africa;
• Increased number of cases of women involvement in peace and security in accordance with UN R1325;
• Increased gender sensitivity in programme planning, implementation and impact;
• Specific documentation and publications on concrete achievements and success stories.