Dr. Ayo Olufade, Ph.D.’s Post

Thilina Kaushalya Madiwala, Zainab Hassen, and Kiruthika Thurairajah are Salzburg Global Fellows who are in the third cohort of the Asia Peace Innovators Forum. Their narratives and countless other women in Sri Lanka serve as reminders of the indispensable role that women from diverse backgrounds play in peacebuilding efforts. Read how three Sri Lankan women from different backgrounds are leading the charge for peace and justice: https://ow.ly/BSzV50SsHIV

🌍 Day 3 of #16DaysOfActivism against Gender-Based Violence Today, we spotlight Simone Mbodé Diouf, the African Youth Ambassador for Peace (#AYAP) for West Africa, who is working to ensure that young people—particularly young women—are at the forefront of decision-making and peacebuilding initiatives, shaping a future free from violence. “To achieve lasting peace and security, we must actively elevate the voices of young feminist and youth-led organizations working on the frontlines of conflict. Promoting their work and sharing their stories is not just about representation, it's about empowering a generation to shape a more just and peaceful future. As an AYAP, my mandate is to ensure that youth perspectives, particularly those of young women, are central to peacebuilding initiatives and decision-making processes in West Africa.” #YouthInPeacebuilding #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #FeministVoices #PeaceAndSecurity #EndVAWG #NoExcuse #WestAfrica #Africa

Our March issue of the Conflict & Resilience Monitor is Live! In commemoration of the International Women’s month, the issue of the Monitor features an article by Dr Cecilia Lwiindi Nedziwe (PhD), who reflects on the status of women’s participation in key governance structures in Southern Africa. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dyZjTgUF

Celebrating 25 years of amplifying the voices of Africans! In the past quarter-century, we've amplified the voices of over 400,000 people across 42 African countries. Today, Afrobarometer findings reflect the aspirations and preferences of more than three-fourths of Africa’s population. As we celebrate #AfricaDay, we reaffirm our commitment to making citizen voices a key pillar of African policy and decision-making! #AfrobarometerAt25 #VoicesAfrica

Africa and its Leaders...(Lord have Mercy) When leaders from African countries address the UNGA, it's noticeable that there are empty seats, especially from leaders in the West. The African leaders are passionate about speaking at the UNGA, but the lack of attendance from Western leaders raises questions about the institution's representation. African leaders need to consider whether the UNGA truly values their presence. Rather than continuously calling for reform, they should consider leaving the institution, as that is something they have control over, unlike changing the UN, which may be wishful thinking. It's worth acknowledging that the UN was established by the West and the USA primarily to serve their interests, not those of Africa, Asia, the so-called South, or Latin America. The BRICS countries could establish an alternative to the UN, as they prioritize the equality of nations.

Upcoming APRI Webinar: "German-Africa Feminist Development Policy: What's Next?" Join us on Monday, July 15, 2024, at 14:00 CET for an insightful discussion on the progress, challenges, and future of Germany's Feminist Development Policy Strategy with Africa. Key questions we'll address include: - What concrete actions have been taken since the announcement? - How has the strategy impacted feminist development debates in Africa? - What effects has it had on German-African development cooperation? 🔗 https://lnkd.in/edfvz5U9 Register Now Ms Memory Kachambwa: Executive Director of FEMNET - African Women's Development and Communication Network Prof Josephine Ahikire: Professor at Makerere University Ms Verena Wiesner: Senior Policy Advisor at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Ms Hala Alkarib: Regional Director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network Ms Barbara Mittelhammer: Independent Policy Analyst and Consultant Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with experts on this crucial topic. #FeministPolicy #GenderEquality #Development #APRI #BMZ #Africa

This #InternationalDayofWomeninDiplomacy, Adeso celebrates the valuable contributions of women to peacebuilding and global security, like Degan Ali! Women are key players in international negotiations, conflict resolution, and promoting human rights. Adeso is proud to be led by Degan Ali, a renowned champion for women's leadership in the humanitarian sector. In 2016, Degan Ali was pivotal in advocating for locally-led development at the World Humanitarian Summit. Her tireless advocacy led to establishing a goal to direct 25% of humanitarian resources to local actors by 2020. “While we may not have come as far as we all hoped since the Grand Bargain in 2016, we continue to sustain the global conversation on how to transform the aid and development landscape so that it shifts power and resources to the proximate leaders who best understand how to make real change.” Degan Ali Let's recognize the achievements of ALL women in diplomacy and advocate for increased participation at all levels. A more inclusive and diverse diplomatic landscape will lead to more effective solutions for global challenges. #WomenLeaders #Peacebuilding #Decolonization

As a way of diversifying my knowledge on life and politics, I completed a course on Advancing the role of women in politics,Peace,Security and Economic by YALI Africa.I stand to advocate for peace, security and better governance in our country and the world at large.

Only a "feminist peace", a peace that takes everyone's needs into account, can be sustainable. 🗣 A must-read article about why peace is only sustainable if the people closest to the conflict are involved in building it, and how a feminist peacebuilder from Armenia is doing just that >> https://lnkd.in/emanTXNp Robert Bosch Stiftung interviewed Dylan Mathews, CEO of Peace Direct and Lida Minasyan, co-founder of Women's Agenda I Կանանց Օրակարգ

Reflections: Recent Workshops with Sudanese Women Refugees in Kampala and Cairo I had the privilege of facilitating two workshops in Kampala and Cairo, bringing  Sudanese women leaders from politics, civil society, activism, peacebuilding, academia, and feminist groups, many of whom have participated in previous political and peace processes. A pressing concern emerged: Sudanese women are frustrated by their ongoing exclusion from the political arena. They are often told that women and civilian actors cannot participate in ceasefire agreements, and instead should focus on political processes where their inclusion is promised. However, our discussions revealed a growing recognition among Sudanese women that they can—and must—be included as stakeholders in ceasefire negotiations. Their insights and experiences are essential for achieving a sustainable cessation of hostilities. While it may be understandable for armed groups to overlook women's contributions, it is troubling that mediators, guarantors, and funders of the peace process accept this exclusion. We can learn from the South Sudan experience, where women's involvement at every negotiation level proved invaluable. Sudanese women are eager to continue this legacy. As mediation practitioners, we have a responsibility to advocate for the inclusion of women in peace processes. Research consistently shows that women's participation significantly enhances the success of these initiatives. Therefore, it is crucial for all actors involved in the Sudan peace process to prioritize and elevate women's voices, ensuring they have a prominent seat at the negotiating table. Supporting the aspirations of Sudanese women is not just a moral imperative; it is a strategic necessity for lasting peace. #Peace4Sudan #Mediation #Peace #WPS #YPS #Inclusion #InclusiveRigor #IntentionalInclusion #EffectiveInclusion European Union IGAD #AfricanUnion