IGAD holds training in Mogadishu on peacebuilding and leadership for Somali women

The IGAD regional organization has launched a program in Mogadishu aimed at strengthening the role of Somali women in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and participation in leadership and decision-making processes.

The training, which will last for three days , involves nearly 20 women , including female leaders and members of local peace committees.

This program is a collaboration between IGAD and the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development of Somalia , and participants are being trained in skills such as conflict analysis, mediation, negotiation, facilitation of dialogues, leadership, advocacy, and community-based peacebuilding .

The training is part of the Building Women’s Economic Resilience for Sustainable Peace (BWERSP) project, which is funded by the African Development Bank .

IGAD has stated that this effort focuses on increasing women's participation in peace efforts and decision-making processes, as Somali women have long played a visible role in resolving community conflicts, although their opportunities to engage in formal peacebuilding structures have been limited.

This program also includes women from communities affected by conflicts and displacement, such as internally displaced women, returnees to their areas, and community leaders .

This training follows another meeting that IGAD held in Mogadishu in July , which was attended by government officials, women's peace committees, youth groups, traditional elders, scholars, and other parties involved in peacebuilding.

The aim of the new program is to strengthen the relationship between peace initiatives led by women, government agencies, and community organizations , as Somalia undertakes efforts to enhance conflict resolution and reconciliation at the local level.

This effort is also part of the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda of IGAD, which focuses on increasing women's participation in peacebuilding and decision-making across the region.