SAf-CNGO proudly participated in the recent Validation Workshop on the Guidelines for the Operationalisation of the Network of Women Mediators in Southern Africa, held from November 29 to December 1, 2023, in Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa.

The workshop, convened by #𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 #𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗 𝗮𝗻𝗱 #𝗨𝗡𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻, aimed to foster an experience-sharing platform, allowing participants to showcase their conflict prevention and management initiatives at national levels. Additionally, it sought to enhance coordination between national networks and the SADC Secretariat while validating guidelines for the operationalization of the network of women mediators in Southern Africa.

Key takeaways reveal the enduring underrepresentation of women in decision-making platforms, despite 23 years of the UNSCR. The operationalization of this network is a significant stride toward sustainable peace, ensuring women’s pivotal role in peace building, conflict prevention, and recovery efforts.

The network, comprising national and regional chapters, strives to bridge gender gaps in decision-making processes. SAf-CNGO, as an umbrella organization for national civil society associations, played a vital role in shaping the regional chapter. SAf-CNGO was represented by Olorato Launer Taleyana, our technical resource support person for Women & Youth Development and Gender Mainstreaming under the council’s regional integration framework, fortifying SAf-CNGO’s commitment to fostering relationships between the regional network and governments.