ACCORD’s Senior Advisor for Women, Peace and Security (WPS) presented on the domains of the culture of peace, as well as the role of women in achieving this culture, during the peace, development, and healing dialogue, hosted by the University of South Africa (UNISA), South African Women in Dialogue (SAWID), and UN Women. The dialogue that took place in Pretoria, South Africa on 18-19 August 2022 brought together two hundred women representing leadership from academia, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s), researchers, government, and business.
Held during South Africa’s National Women’s Month, the dialogue, included a high-level panel, and provided a platform for women to converge, to engage and develop appropriate actions to prevent further conflict in South Africa.
The key issues highlighted in the dialogue included, the multiple fractures within South African and global communities that led to Gender-Based Violence (GBV); and disproportionate levels of unemployment for women and girls. Discussions also followed on women’s participation in national and international trade businesses, and the self-sustainability of women short of relying on government grants.
Prof. Thenjiwe Meyiwa, Vice-Principal of Research, Postgraduate Studies at UNISA affirmed that strengthening Africa’s Agenda 2063’s primary directive of the Africa we want to see, which includes seven aspirations, is necessary for a prosperous region where stability and progress can occur. The discussions unpacking these aspirations, prosperity; peace; good governance; democracy; and respect aim to encourage further discussions on strategies for Peace, Development and Healing to Achieve Inclusion and Equity. ACCORD’s Advisor on WPS, Ms. Pravina Makan-Lakha, led the conversation on the domains of the culture of peace, as well as the role of women in achieving this culture.
ACCORD’s “Capacity Strengthening Initiative for Women-led NGOs and CBOs in South Africa” beneficiaries, Ms. Sindisiwe Buthelezi and Ms. Patsy Daniels were provided with the opportunity to participate at the event and to share their experiences on strengthening women’s participation in peace processes at a local community level. Ms. Buthelezi highlighted the importance of capacity building initiatives aimed at strengthening local and national early warning mechanisms supported by women’s empowerment.
