Sahel leaders advocate for women and youth in peace processes

Regional efforts are intensifying to integrate women and youth into peace and security frameworks across the Sahel. In Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, the Consortium Plurielle and the NGO Diakonia hosted a conference focused on UN resolutions regarding Women, Peace and Security (1325) and Youth, Peace and Security (2250). Experts emphasized that the participation of these groups is essential for conflict prevention and social cohesion, noting that while many women act as local mediators, their contributions often lack formal recognition.

Simultaneously, Bamako, Mali, is hosting a regional forum on women's leadership for peace in the Sahel and coastal countries. The meeting includes Liberata Mulamula, the African Union Special Envoy for the Sahel, and involves cooperation between the Malian government, the African Union, and UN Women. The forum aims to create a strategic space for dialogue and advocacy to strengthen the protection and participation of women in peace processes, community mediation, and early warning systems.