MEET THE WOMEN IN DECISION MAKING ROLES IN PEACE PROCESSES
All over Africa, women with a long-term vision for Africa are preventing, solving and transforming violent conflict. They are constructing a strong foundation that future generations can build on. Read their stories below.
- Naomi is a strong believer of inclusivity and equality of opportunities for everyone. She has worked in Peace building and conflict resolution for more than 10 years at the National Cohesion and Integration Commission. She has participated in many social researches looking at areas of discrimination and marginalization to improve […]
- Lorraine Adhiambo is a peace actor and a graduate of Civic and Development Education from Tangaza University College, Kenya. She has passion working with women and children in the informal settlements of Nairobi. She is a member of the Dandora Community Justice Centre, a human rights defender who is passionate […]
- Pauline is 41 years old, she is married with two daughters. She is a Certified Mediator and Counsellor and the founder of Wawira Counselling which has been actively in operation for five years. She is also a member of Amani Women Network. Her mission statement is to facilitate communication between […]
- Susan Jeptanui Maina is a peace builder and the National Coordinator as well as founder of Uasin Gishu Peace Forum . Her passion for people confirms the Personality System profiling her as a Peacemaker. She is a Manager at Biblica Guset House, Kenya . A professional in Hospitality and Business […]
- Monicah believes that women are vital tools in peace building and security. In her community work, she facilitated the integration of (IDPs) internally displaced persons into the community where they were settled by the government. She facilitates dialogue between conflicting parties in her community to solve disputes. Monicah was contracted […]
- Shama is a Kenyan-Indian who has 5 years experience in recruitment. Recruiting mid to senior level positions, she has been exposed to interacting with senior level staff from various sectors through telephone and in-person interviews. Being a recruiter. She’s also developed strong research and report writing skills. Shama attained her […]
- Beside a Master of Science Degree in Gender and Governance, I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management, Bachelor of Laws degree, Diploma in Laws and a Diploma in Education Secondary (DES). I have also accomplished numerous certified courses that have enhanced my knowledge, skills and competences in […]
- Shamima Omwayi is a vibrant young Kenyan woman with a strong passion in the humanitarian affairs, notably in the areas of community development, human rights, and peace and sustainability. She has enriched her knowledge of improving human life as an undergrad, hence holds a Bachelor’s of Commerce Degree in Finance, and a Diploma in Accountancy […]
- Flaviana Bahati Charles is a Lawyer, Executive Director-Business and Human Rights Tanzania (BHRT) and a member and mediator under the African Union’s Network of African Women in Conflict Prevention and Mediation (FemWise-Africa). Flaviana is the Chairperson of the Coalition of Women Human Rights Defenders in Tanzania. She is also the Secretary […]
- Gladys Mbuyah is a Barrister –At –Law and a Human Rights advocate. She splits her professional time between lawyering and fighting for the promotion and defense of Women rights and the rights of vulnerable persons. She is a public interest lawyer and, in that capacity, had filed a case before […]
- Deborah Ahenkorah is a Ghanaian educator and activist, co-founder and CEO of Golden Baobab, a social enterprise that aims to promote African literature for children, awarding the annual Golden Baobab Prize. She studied at Bryn Mawr College, and has been named by the Echoing Green Fellowship as “one of the most innovative contributions to change in today’s world. […]
- Rita Lopidia is the Executive Director and Co-founder of Eve Organization for Women Development in Juba, South Sudan. EVE was established to help improve women’s participation in decision-making, reconciliation, peace building and conflict resolution in South Sudan through knowledge transfer, professional development and capacity building. Ms. Lopidia is vocal on […]
- Ms. Mireille Tushiminina, a national of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has recently joined UN Women Burundi as a Country Program Manager consultant. Previously, Ms. Tushiminina served as Senior Gender Adviser in Mogadishu, Somalia. Prior to that, she was the Executive Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights […]
- Millicent Otieno is the CEO of Local Capacities for Peace International. She has years of experience in the coordination of an extensive network of trainers, practitioners and interested humanitarian, peace and development organizations working in the East African region and beyond. Millie is a Trainer of Trainers on the Alternative to Violence […]
- Born in Tunis, Emna Jeblaoui is the President of the International Institute in Human Development, which promotes multiparty dialogue and recently launched the Women for Peace and Security Project. Since 1999, she has taught translation and Islamic studies at the University of Manouba. From 2013-2015, Emna served as a consultant […]
- Irene Limo works with the United Nations Development Programme South Sudan within the Peace and Community Cohesion Project, where she supports community dialogues and civil society organizations working on the peace and development nexus in South Sudan. Until recently, Irene was the Coordinator of the Preventive Action and Mediation Cluster […]
- Laura Nyirinkindi is a lawyer working in the area of Governance, Human Rights, Gender, Rule of law and Development. She has extensive experience of over 15 years having conducted various assignments around appraisals and evaluations, training, research, organisational development, strategic planning and project management. In the course of her work, […]
- Lina Zedriga Waru Abuku is the Secretary of Uganda’s National Committee for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity and All Forms of Discrimination and attended AIPR’s 2014 Raphael Lemkin Seminar, Global Edition. A former Magistrate, Ms. Zedriga is now a full-time activist working to end social exclusion […]
- Over the years Stella Mystica Sabiiti has developed a comprehensive approach to conflict transformation, grounded in her personal experience of war and torture, and a life spent as a refugee on three continents. Stella is currently UN Women Advisor to the African Union (AU)’s Network of Women in Conflict Prevention […]
- I work for the UN. Women are involved in peace processes, but a lot of times we have men at the forefront, men with a certain stature who carry certain clout. So you find that most women working with these men are not in the limelight. I have been one […]
- Huda Shafig is a gender advisor for UN Environment. She previously worked at the Institute for Inclusive Security, Washington DC tracking reviews, summarizing research, reports, and policy for the Syria and South Sudan/Sudan teams. She also provided monitoring and evaluation and administrative support for both teams. Previously, Ms. Shafig worked […]
- Gratias Kibanja, is the focal point of the Network of African Children and Young People for Human Rights, Réseau des enfants et jeunes Africains pour les Droits Humains (REJADH) a youth network that is located in 5 African countries including the DRC, Mali, South Sudan, Burundi and Somalia. Gratias advocates […]
- Selina Kwamini is the Community Voices for Peace and Plurality-Africa Coordinator. She has years’ experience in Communication, Public Relations, Media, Advocacy, and Research. She is the Co-founder of VASPIS Networks, a PR agency. She has an Academic background in Sociology and Communication. She is resourceful in respect to advocacy, creation […]
- Lillian Kobusingye Ruhweza is a Senior program officer with the Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA Uganda). She is passionate about transitional justice, women and children’s rights and promoting access to justice for women and children’s rights violations. At FIDA Uganda, Lillian manages projects on access to justice, social economic […]
- Ramatu Aliyu Abarshi holds a PhD, an M.Phil and Masters degrees in Entrepreneurship and Electrical Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Kenya and Bayero University Kano respectively. She was earlier trained at Plateau State and Kaduna Polytechnic for ND and HND respectively in the same bias, she […]
- Kijala Shako is a Pan Africanist disruptor extraordinaire. She loves to challenge narratives and facilitate “difficult” conversations on different issues ranging from human rights, religion, sexuality, racism, ethnic relations and all other isms. She is currently the Head of Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Media for Save the Children, East and […]
- Sarah is the area chief of Kainuk, Turkana, Kenya. She is the only woman negotiating among seminomadic ethnic communities in a region plagued by banditry and cattle rustling. She has led several disarmament exercises.
- Wasye Musyoni works with Norwegian Church Aid. She is currently based in Central Darfur, Sudan. Prior to the move to Sudan Wasye served as Manager NCA Regional Peace Programme. Wasye has worked with religious actors on peace issues since 2000. She holds a BA Degree from the University of Nairobi […]
- Sylvie is a peace and security leader with more than 20 years’ experience. She is the current Africa region representative of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and President of the Cameroon section. She is also a Member of the African Union Steering Committee for the fund for African […]
- Christine is a Rwandan Lawyer working and living in Arusha Tanzania. She is a FemWise member who is looking to making connections and contribute to peace building & conflict resolution efforts around the continent.
- Tabitha Mathiang is a passionate activist for peace and human rights. She is a member of the Sudanese/S. Sudan Taskforce for engagement of women in peace processes. Tabitha spent ten years in the bush, fighting for justice and freedom for South Sudan alongside her husband, a General in the Liberation […]
- Paula Itoo is from South Sudan. She is the Co-founder of I am Peace Initiative, and a Young Women Mediation Ambassador, South Sudan. Her organizations focus is on Conflict Management and Resolution with a key interest in peacebuilding, women, girls and youth empowerment and prejudice awareness and reduction. Paula is based in Juba, South Sudan and Adjumani, Uganda working with […]
- My name is Fatimata Ba, I am 28 years old, I am a double graduate of a master’s degree in Public Law specializing in international relations, obtained at the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar and a master’s in Gender and consolidation of peace obtained at the University Cheikh Anta […]
- Nimo Mohammed Ali has a Master of Arts: (Distinction) in International Social & Community Development from University of East London, UK (2008-2009), and PQCCA; Post Graduate Cert: Advanced Child Care Award – Brunel University (2006), Higher Education Diploma in Social Work-University of North London (2004). Nimo’s areas of interest are Violence Against Women & Girls, training on child […]
- Ellyjoy Kithure Masila is a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Specialist with over 17 years of work experience in the development and humanitarian context. She has led various processes on peace building, conflict resolution and stabilization extensively in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda, Burundi and DRC. She has led and facilitated research on GESI in peace building and […]
- Hibaa-Haibado Ismael Houssein, is a Djiboutian Diplomat currently deployed in Kenya, as a Third counsellor in charge of Multilateral Affairs and Deputy Permanent Representative of UNEP and UN-Habitat. She is responsible in following issues related to AMISOM and its logistical support for Djiboutian troops deployed under that umbrella, through the […]
- Felistas Mushi worked as a Resident Magistrate in Arusha Tanzania for 10 years before joining United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda as Assistant Trial Attorney in 2005 for a three year contract. She resumed her Civil Servant position in the government of United Republic of Tanzania; first as a […]
- Sr. Mary Lilly Driciru, MSMMC is a Ugandan and a member of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (MSMMC). She has served in the vineyard of the Lord for 33 years. She has Master’s Degree in Social/Mass Communication and Certificates in Social Justice and Peace building causes. […]
- Mary Balikungeri is a Gender, Peace and Conflict resolution advocate with over two decades of experience in championing women and girls rights. She is the founder of Rwanda Women’s Network; a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to the promotion and improvement of the socio-economic welfare of women in Rwanda with an […]
- Dr. Shukria Dini, a Somali-Canadian scholar who has extensively researched and written on issues contributing to the understanding of the challenges facing Somali women is the founder of Somali Women Study Centre. In 1991, at the age of 18, Shukria fell victim to the civil war that ripped Somalia apart. […]
- Marjon Vashti Kamara (born 13 August 1949) is a Liberian diplomat and politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2016 to 2018. Early life and education Kamara was born on 13 August 1949 in Monrovia to Jacob and Edith Kamara. She attended Saint Theresa’s Convent High school and […]
- Vaiba is the Women & Youth’s Desk Officer for the Lutheran Church Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Program in Liberia. A peace activist and social worker, Vaiba has worked since 1998 to heal both her nation and its women from the 14-year civil war between rebel groups and the Liberian army. […]
- I am an educator who served the Plateau State government as a teacher for 35 years. I am from Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State. I was born in a Christian family. My father is Daniel Rwang Dung and my mother’s name is Vou Justinasha. Before I got married, […]
- I am a teacher from the Kaninkon chiefdom in Jemaa’a Local government of Kaduna State in Nigeria, about 200 kilometres from Kaduna City. The inhabitants of this chiefdom are mostly the Kaninkon people who occupy 95% of the villages in this chiefdom. They speak Kaninkon language and are predominantly farmers […]
- I work as a Muslim woman leader at the Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), and a member of staff of the Jema’a Local Government. I am from the Hausa community in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Jema’a is a place that has seen so […]
- I come from Southern Kaduna of Kaduna State Nigeria where we are identified as settled Fulanis from KukumGidaKagoro. During the 2011 Presidential election, peace was interrupted by a conflict between the Fulani and their neighboring communities. Many Fulani, including two of my younger brothers were killed. Their houses and food […]
- I am a civil servant by profession. I come from Jos North in Plateau State. We have several ethnic groups living there such as the Hausa, Fulani, and Yoruba. Many people are either Christian or Muslim. My husband is the traditional King of the Anaguta community who are Christian. I […]
- Ladi Agyer Joy Madaki is a Deputy Chief Registrar- Litigation, High Court of Justice, Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria where her job schedule as Head of Litigation includes: Case Management, Law reporting, Case law research and enforcement of court orders. She holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree at the University […]
- Amina Hassan Ahmed is a Nigerian, Muslim, peacebuilder. She is the Executive Director of Women Initiative for Sustainable Community Development (WISCOD). Amina convenes conflicting parties, mediating through quality leadership and achieving a common ground for sustainable peace. She serves humanity with the utmost sense of commitment and dedication regardless of […]
- I come from Nigeria in the middle belt. Born in 1974. A communication expert. I utilize my communication skills to promote the objectives and goals of my organization to achieve sustainable and productive results in peace building, mediation, conflict management, mentoring and gender issues for the improvement of women in […]
- Goredema has written journal articles on women and social injustices. These include, ‘Fake Heroines and the Falsification of History in Zimbabwe, 1980-2009, Women in Politics in Zimbabwe: Real Empowerment or a Political Gimmick and Women and Youth, The Missing Other in Zimbabwe`s Peace building Agenda. As well as being commissioned […]
- Dr. Parachi is a Zimbabwean national currently working as the Chairperson for the Peace Studies Department at the Midlands State University in Gweru. She holds a PhD in the area of Media and Gender. She also holds an MSc Gender and Policy studies and another MSc in Peace, Leadership and […]
- Founding member and president of the Coalition des Femmes Leaders NSC for the participation of women in the Mali peacebuilding process. Fatima Maiga is a recognized mediator for sustainable peace, and a successful policy reformer in the field of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE). Ms. Maiga has dedicated 18 […]
- Doreen Nkala from Zimbabwe , is a lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Marketing. She is a peace Pioneer trained and accredited by Generations for Peace Jordan. Recently she got training in Peace and Pluralism facilitation. Doreen works with youths in Zimbabwean universities. Since 2012 she has worked as a patron for […]
- Masciline Nyanda is from Zimbabwe, a teacher and peace builder in her community. She is also an ordained pastor. As a sports director at her school she has advanced the role of sports in peace building. She has skills in counselling and guidance and leads the club at her school. […]
- Rumbidzai Rosemary Chakawa is a Zimbabwean peace builder and a mid-wife at a provincial hospital in Gweru Zimbabwe. As a peace builder, she has skills in trauma healing, psychological and counselling. She has dealt with victims of political and electoral violence in Zimbabwe and succeeded in providing medical assistance. She […]
- Cecilia Mandikiana, is a Zimbabwean peace builder, seasoned educationist with vast experience in community peace building and development. She has impacted her community in Mutasa district, Manicaland province through various programmes that are educational and developmental. She is currently coordinating programmes in poultry rearing, fisheries, gardening, piggery, weaving and sewing. […]
- Sophie HAVYARIMANA is 56 years old, wife and mother of 3 children. Currently working as a Conflict and Gender Senior Adviser for ACORD (Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development) in Burundi after 7,5 years of service at head office in Nairobi as Head of programme Operations and Development, overseeing […]
- Sudan, is the founder and Chairperson for Nuba Women’s Education and Development Association (NuWEDA), working primarily with women/ youth and children from the marginalized Nuba Mountains region. Ms. Kura is a passionate activist for women’s rights, a member of the Sudanese taskforce for engagement of women in peace process, and […]
- Is a prominent lawyer and co-founder/ Chairwoman of Mutawinat Benevolent Company. Mutawinat works for the rights women in Sudan through the provision of legal aid services and advocacy, training, awareness-raising, and research focusing on different ways to protect human rights. Ms. El Hashmi has been a member and elected board […]
- Is a widely published and Professor, College of Forestry and Range Science, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan. Some of Her books and journals include; Al-amin N.K. N. and El-magzob, A.A. 2011. Constraints of tree establishment and their role in rehabilitating degraded dry land in Sudan. Pp. 45-53 […]
- Safaa El-Agib Adam is secretary general of the Community Development Association since 2000 and Task Force Member for the engagement of Sudanese women in peace process. She worked & cooperated with several International organizations in Sudan (SCF/UK, OXFAM/UK, German Development Services DED, Friedrich Ebert Foundation FES as an expert in […]
- Technicienne supérieure en développement communautaire, est responsable de l’Association Malienne pour la Promotion de la Jeune Fille et de la Femme (AMPJF), qui promeut le leadership féminin à travers le sport- notamment chez les adolescentes, avec 72 équipes féminines-) et l’entreprenariat féminin chez les femmes pour une meilleure rétention scolaire […]
- Est la Présidente de l’Union des Femmes de Taoudenit pour la Culture et le Développement.Titulaire d’un diplôme en comptabilité à l’IUT de l’université de Sceaux en France. Engagée dans la vie associative depuis 1980 en tant qu’épouse d’ambassadeur dans l’Association des Femmes d’Ambassadeurs Africains. De retour au Mali en 1983, […]
- Est la Présidente des femmes du GATIA et Présidente Nationale de la PLATEFORME (un des trois mouvements signataires de l’accord); Mariée à un cadre de banque et mère de 4 enfants, Hadèye est titulaire d'un diplôme de secrétariat de direction. Elle entre à la fonction publique en février 2008 et […]
- Est la Présidente nationale des femmes de la coordination des mouvements de l’Azawad(CMA)) et la Présidente des femmes leaders du nord pour la paix et la réconciliation au mali (ALAFIA AFLN PRM). Elle est titulaire d un diplôme de maîtrise en Economie de l’Université de Nouakchott en Mauritanie. Engagée depuis […]
- Mme Sirebara Fatoumata Diallo est la Directrice du Centre de formation multifonctionnelle pour un développement durable et la Viceprésidente de l’ Union des femmes agricultrices du Mali. Fatoumata est elle même une femme Agricultrice, et habite à Kalabancoro plateau une commune rurale située dans la deuxième région du Mali. Les activités […]
- Fulata L. Moyo is a World Council of Churches’ programme executive for the project on A Just Community of Women and Men based at the headquarters in Geneva. She believes that within the religious tradition that women are made in God’s image are authentic resources to affirm the dignity and […]
- Léonie Abela is an African lady, born in Kampala, Uganda; grew up in Goma/Eastern DRC where she schooled and started her career as a secondary school teacher. She thereafter pursued her studies in Kenya. She holds a B.Ed. in English and English Literature from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, […]
- Shamsia is Program Manager with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) based in Nairobi. She is a peace builder, a graduate of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame. She is currently a PhD student in Social Transformation specializing in security and sustainable peace. After her masters graduation, […]
- Beatrice Kamau is a strong believer in attainment of a world that upholds human rights, Peace justice and equality. She has worked in the civil society for more than 26 years in areas of Constitution making, Human rights, peace building, social justice and women empowerment where she has gained a […]
- I am a young woman mediation ambassador, aged 24 years. I am the Coordinator the Young Women Leaders Mediation Project within IPHRD-Africa where we build the capacity of youth on mediation. I support policy efforts of the African Union, Regional Organizations like IGAD as well as national efforts on mediation, […]
- Zelpha Ingasiah is a development practitioner who is passionate about peace and education. She has been involved in promotion of pluralism in the local contexts where different demography feel alienated and secluded. Professionally, she is a civic educator who enjoys educating the local communities of the pearls of good governance […]
- Regina is a peace and gender practitioner, with an expertise in community mobilization, dialogue facilitation, Prevention/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) and Gender analysis in different setups. She is dedicated in empowering grassroots young girls in education through a community-based organization she founded in 2014. With an MA in Peace and Development […]
- Nuria Abdullahi Abdi holds an MA in Development and Peacebuilding from Eastern Mennonite University, Virginia, USA. Currently she is the Vice chair of the National Committee on the Implementation of Citizen Participation in Security, in Kenya. She is one of the founder members of Wajir Peace and Development Committee, a […]
- Ms. Florence N. Mpaayei is the immediate former executive director of Nairobi Peace Initiative – Africa. She is a seasoned conflict resolution and peacebuilding professional with extensive experience in designing strategies for intervention and implementing peacebuilding programmes. For the past 15 years, Ms. Mpaayei has worked in Eastern and Central […]
- Halima has a Diploma in Agriculture Home Economics in Kenya, bachelor’s in human Ecology from Canada and Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies. Halima has worked as a Development, Humanitarian, Peace Practitioner and Social Trauma Healing for over 30 years with the Kenya Government, UN and other International Agencies. She […]
- Dr. Sellah King’oro is a researcher of over fourteen years’ experience in peace, social cohesion, social justice and social policy research. Currently, she is the Head of the Research,Policy and Planning Department of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission where she has worked for over seven years. Prior to her […]
- Adan was born to parents who were from two warring tribes in Marsabit , Northern Kenya . After her training as a lawyer, she returned to her hometown in order to promote peace between the conflicting Borana Oromo , Gabra and Rendille peoples . In 2003, she founded Horn of […]
- Jane Anyango Odongo is a Kenyan activist for peace and for women's and girls' rights. She is the founder and director of the Polycom Development Project, which empowers girls and young women in the Kibera slum area. In 2010 Peace X Peace organization gave her its Community Peacebuilder Award. Jane led […]
- I am a 40-year-old Kenyan human rights, peace journalist and illustrator. I am currently working as a free-lance journalist and market researcher and translator with IPSOS Synovate. I am also carrying out some investigation journalism on illegal immigrants from Africa to China. I have fluency in oral and written English, […]
- Approximately 97 percent of Samburu women have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) a prerequisite for marriage. Rebecca Lolosoli walked from village to village urging the acceptance of uncut Samburu women as whole. Picked up other issues domestic violence, ostracized mothers of children born out of alleged rape from British soldiers […]
- Salihu Musa Umar popularly known as Salim is the founder rand CEO of Farmers and Herders Initiate for Peace and Development (FHIPD) project manager, conflict and policy analyst. He is a National Publicity Secretary and a member of the National Executive Council of MACBAN (Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of […]
- Njoki Wamai is an assistant Professor in International Relations Department at Kenya’s oldest private university United States International University-Africa. She was previously a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Politics and International Studies department (POLIS), Cambridge University. Her research focus is on the tensions between international and local practices of transitional justice […]
