On 10 September 2024, the “We Strive to Live” organisation, in collaboration with ACCORD, hosted a workshop in Drieziek, Orange Farm, aimed at localising the South African National Action Plan (SA NAP) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). This workshop, which is part of ACCORD’s broader initiative, brought together twenty enthusiastic participants, mostly women, who were eager to learn about the SA NAP and its relevance to their community.
The workshop introduced participants to the key principles of the SA NAP, focusing on how to adapt its objectives to local contexts and foster grassroots implementation. The interactive nature of the sessions allowed participants to engage deeply with the material, and they quickly grasped the importance of women’s roles in peacebuilding and security processes. Group discussions and presentations showcased a remarkable understanding of the WPS agenda, highlighting how peace, security, and gender equality intersect in their everyday lives.
The participants expressed a strong desire for continued learning opportunities, requesting that similar workshops be held at least once a month to deepen their understanding and share knowledge within their community. The workshop also saw participants actively contributing ideas for a more localised action plan, which could address specific challenges faced by women in Orange Farm.
Feedback from the workshop was positive, with participants praising the interactive format and the opportunity to collaborate on strategies for implementing the SA NAP. They emphasised the need for sustained support and engagement to ensure the long-term success of the plan, suggesting the formation of a community-based committee to oversee its implementation.
This workshop demonstrated the potential for localising the SA NAP and empowering women to take ownership of peace and security processes in their communities. The commitment shown by the participants are testament to the workshop’s impact, and there is now momentum to create a sustainable, community-driven initiative that builds on these foundations.
