In collaboration with UN Women Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Small to Medium Enterprise Development (MWACSMED), ACCORD conducted a workshop focusing on the Zimbabwe National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) that took place in Harare, Zimbabwe from July 03 to 05 2024. The workshop, facilitated by ACCORD’S Women, Peace and Security Advisor, aimed to strengthen the capacities of key stakeholders instrumental in supporting the implementation of the recently launched Zimbabwean NAP on WPS. Attendees included representatives from several Zimbabwean government ministries. The platform encouraged the enhancement of the capabilities within Zimbabwean government ministries to execute the WPS Agenda effectively and to promote vigorous responses to emerging peace and security challenges affecting women, specifically focusing on gender-sensitive conflict management, prevention, and resolution strategies.
Mrs. Lillian Matsika Takaendisa, Chief Director of Gender Policy Planning and Programme Management at MWACSMED, highlighted the workshop’s significance in fostering a comprehensive ‘whole-of-government’ approach towards implementing the Zimbabwe NAP on WPS. This approach is necessary to ensure coordinated efforts across ministries to address gender-specific peace and security concerns. She emphasised the power of collaboration and learning from other countries that have NAPs on WPS. In her remarks, Fadzai Precious Traquino, Programme Specialist: Governance and Peacebuilding, UN Women Zimbabwe, emphasised the organisation’s steadfast support for Zimbabwe in achieving its WPS objectives. UN Women remains committed to providing technical expertise and resources to empower stakeholders and ensure the effective implementation of the NAP
The workshop facilitated the formation of a strategic plan that will foster the implementation of the Zimbabwe NAP on WPS. One of the key takeaways is the establishment of a steering committee tasked with overseeing the NAP’s implementation. The participants agreed to have a multi-stakeholder committee that includes government, civil society organizations, grassroots communities, faith-based leaders, and traditional leaders to ensure inclusivity and effectiveness in implementing the NAP. This committee will play a crucial role in monitoring progress and reporting to their respective ministries, thereby fostering accountability and sustained commitment. The collaborative efforts initiated during the workshop are expected to yield tangible advancements in the implementation of the WPS Agenda in Zimbabwe, as stakeholders continue to take ownership of the NAP and comprehensively implement it.
Discussions are ongoing with the partners, and ACCORD will continue to offer substantive and technical support for the implementation of the Zimbabwe NAP on WPS.
