Women

Women In Peace Leadership Programme (WPLP)

Background

In June and August 2008, two major events were held for women in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya at Garissa and Mandera. This was organized by PEACE II in partnership with USAID. It was the absence of women’s voice and participation in the June meeting that created the second meeting in August. In the second meeting in August, the women shared ideas and experiences in regional peace initiatives and explored the untapped potential of women as they celebrated the tenth anniversary of women peace movement in the region. Women as change agents and the role they played in conflict prevention within the region were discussed. The need for a women regional network linked to IGAD’s CEWARN program was suggested. Thus the idea of the Women in peace leadership programme in the Karamoja and Somali clusters came about to ensure that women make greater and effective contributions to end violence and decades of war in the region.

COPA in partnership with Pact Inc. initiated a one year Women in Peace Leadership Programme which aimed at equipping women in situations of conflict with skills in networking, mediation, dialogue, lobbying and advocacy, skills that would bolster their knowledge of peace and conflict management. A rapid needs assessment was done by COPA in June 2009 to help identify gaps which would be addressed in the trainings.57 applications were received from women interested to take part in the programme even though the target number was 25. After carefully evaluating the applicants the selection panel that comprised of USAID, COPA & Pact Inc personnel selected a total number of 28 women that included 6 Ugandans, 5 Ethiopians, 5 Sudanese, 6 Somalis and 6 Kenyans. All the 3 trainings have so far been carried out in Kampala and Nairobi. Below is a summary of the training modules and the venues of the trainings:

1st training – 17th to 20th August 2009, at Hotel Equitoria, Kampala, Uganda The 1st module was about Understanding ourselves understanding others.

The contents were:-

 Self awareness and self empowerment
 Understanding leadership
 Introduction to mentoring
 Gender awareness>br>  Trauma healing and women’s resilience
 Field visit
 Action plan
{download 1st report here}August 2009 training report.pdf
2nd training – 15th to 19th December 2009, at the Methodist Guest House and conference centre, Nairobi, Kenya The 2nd module was about peace and leadership.

The contents were:-

 Conflict management
 Understanding peace and conflict
 Conflict analysis
 Human rights and instruments
 Mentoring
 Field visits
 Actions plans
{download 2nd report here}Dec 2009 training report.pdf
3rd training from 1st to 5th March 2010, at the PCEA guest house and Conference centre, Nairobi, Kenya

The module 3 was about skills for leadership development and the contents will be as follows:-

 Oral communication and presentation
 Lobbying and advocacy
 Negotiation and mediation
 Mentoring
 Networking in peace work
 Field visits
 Action plans

The trainings incorporated field visits which the women had the opportunities to visit to allow for experience sharing and to foster more learning on best practices. In addition the programme also had mentoring sessions which enabled the participants once they are back to their communities they would be communicating regularly among themselves and with the trainers on issues emerging from their work and experience. The programme also intends to, document reflections and success stories about the women who have gone through the programme to highlight the transformation it has had in their lives and communities they serve.

Some of the quotes from the women include:-

Sarah A. Lochodo (Kenya) “The Peace Leadership Training for women in East and the Horn of Africa has made me to define myself. As a leader I feel empowered in decision making.”

Hellen Siyama (Sudan) “I am very happy and even don’t know how to express my happiness to the COPA organization for giving me all these skills which lead to a better achievement in this workshop training. You know before I was someone who did not know how to speak before people, but now I can stand strongly and address people as though I am a leader. So thanks a lot to COPA for the training, Pact Kenya for funding the programme. Long live COPA, Long live Pact Kenya and let this not be the last. Continue for the betterment of women in peace leadership.”

Nakiru Betty Flora (Uganda) “This is the first training I have ever attended that is facilitated by women. I was motivated by the whole process. Before I attended this training, I was a very impatient person, a bad listener and used to cry a lot when hurt. Now, I am happy to report that I have learnt to be patient, a good listener, I no longer cry and I avoid arguments when hurt. I have also improved in leadership at my organization to the extent that I sometimes stand in for my manager.”

Tizita Fekadu (Ethiopia) “I used to say to myself, “AIM THE SKY AND YOU CAN FALL ON THE ROOF.” However, after COPA’s two trainings, I believe in myself and change my quote to, “AIM THE SKY AND YOU CAN TOUCH THE SKY,” and I really believe that everything is possible in life. I promised myself one thing; the sky is the limit. Thanks to COPA training, I am now on the right track of my life, never derailed from my work. Without any exaggeration, participating in COPA’s workshop is equal to researching the Horn of Africa at one glance. Sharing ideas with different kinds of groups, ages, professions, having best mentors like Halima & Phoebe is a very great chance that appears rarely. Most of the time I would curse for being created a woman because of so many problems I faced in my country. However, growing up and having my first-degree made things a bit easier. Because of this workshop, I am grateful and thank God for creating me a woman. I will do much to the society especially women who did not get this chance like I did. Long live COPA staff, God bless you. You will reap what you sow! NB- Halima you have been my source of inspiration. May Allah Bless You.

Amina Abdulkadir (Somalia) “Empower yourself before empowering someone else.” “Desire to do something you will achieve it.” “Networking relationship is the beginning of development for an individual and others.”