On Monday, July 8, 2024, Dr. Vasu Gounden, the Founder and Executive Director of ACCORD, participated in a panel discussion as part of the Women in Diplomacy Ethiopia Network (WIDEN). The discussion took place at a seminar hosted by the Embassy of Ireland and other Embassies in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to mark and celebrate the International Day of Women in Diplomacy 2024. This event was held in anticipation of the 25th Anniversary of the adoption of UNSC Resolution 1325 in 2025 and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration. The seminar focused on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and included an exchange of lessons learned and experiences in the implementation of the goals of Resolution 1325. The discussion also covered instruments and means that have proven to be useful and impactful as well as opportunities to address challenges in further implementing Resolution 1325.
The seminar featured two panels. Panel 1 delved into grassroots-level actions and best practices for implementing Resolution 1325 at the local level. Panel 2 focused on the role of men in implementing the WPS agenda, specifically discussing “He for She” and “Positive Masculinity” in Africa, along with lessons for Gender Champions.
The Executive Director was a discussant in Panel 2 with H.E. Hanna Tetteh, the United Nations Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. The panel focussed on overcoming challenges, harmful masculinities, negative practices and attitudes, and promoting normative change for gender equality in various aspects of life such as home life, education, and the workplace. They also addressed how men can be involved in advancing the WPS Agenda and emphasized that this agenda is a joint effort for peace and stability that benefits all genders, not just women. The discussion included examples of successful initiatives in Africa and emphasized the importance of encouraging male leaders to become gender champions and the impact they can have on gender equality initiatives and societal attitudes.
