On 1 and 2 December 2023, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) partnered with ACCORD to conduct a workshop for its Women’s Forum representatives in Nairobi, Kenya. The workshop aimed to enhance the conflict analysis and mediation skills of the ICGLR Women’s Forum. Participants from various countries within the Great Lakes region attended the workshop, which employed an active learning approach with engaging case studies to apply the newly acquired tools and concepts.
The workshop’s emphasis was on conflict analysis as a cornerstone of effective mediation. Throughout the event, the participants reflected on the critical need to understand the tools, concepts, and methodologies of conflict analysis and mediation, especially in the context of persistent conflicts within the region. Hon. Dr. Sabine Ntakarutimana, Chair of the ICGLR Women’s Forum and Deputy Speaker of the Burundian Parliament emphasized the workshop’s pivotal role in breaking barriers and creating capacity for women to contribute meaningfully to peace and security initiatives in the region.
The workshop aligns with ACCORD’s objective of enhancing the role of women in preventing, mitigating, and resolving complex conflicts. The collaborative efforts of ACCORD and ICGLR Women’s Forum signify a step towards a more inclusive and gender-responsive approach to conflict resolution in the Great Lakes region.