On 10 September 2024, ACCORD, in collaboration with Equilibrium, hosted a community workshop, in Elsies River, Cape Town, under the theme Empowering Women for Peace.
This workshop formed part of ACCORD’s broader initiative to strengthen local peace capacities and brought together twenty community leaders. The workshop aimed to raise awareness about South Africa’s National Action Plan (SA NAP) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS); equip women in the community with tools to address local challenges; and facilitate discussions on pressing issues such as gang violence and gender-based violence (GBV).
The workshop achieved several key objectives, including increasing participants’ understanding of the SA NAP’s pillars, enhancing their understanding as community leaders, and fostering a sense of ownership over community solutions. These outcomes were supported by a range of activities, including an overview of the SA NAP, interactive discussions, and personal action plan development. By the end of the workshop, participants made concrete commitments to engaging with their communities in alignment with the SA NAP’s principles.
The workshop also highlighted significant challenges. Participants identified a need for sustained support and resources to maintain peacebuilding initiatives, especially in areas severely affected by gang violence. Additionally, inadequate support systems for GBV survivors emerged as a critical gap.
This workshop demonstrated the potential of community-driven peacebuilding efforts and reinforced the importance of equipping women with the knowledge and tools to address complex local challenges.
