September 28, 2026 (MOGADISHU, Somalia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through the Building Women’s Economic Resilience for Sustainable Peace (BWERSP) Project, has concluded a two-day awareness session in Mogadishu on addressing the social and cultural norms that affect women’s participation in peace processes.
The session brought together representatives of government institutions, traditional elders, religious leaders, women leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations and community stakeholders from Hirshabelle State.
Opening the session, Dr Mohamud Kaarshe, IGAD Head of Mission to the Federal Republic of Somalia, welcomed participants and reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to promoting peace, stability and regional development. He underscored that peacebuilding is a shared responsibility and that women play vital roles at every stage of the peace process, from preparation and community mobilisation to mediation, resource contribution and implementation.
Over the two days, participants examined how social norms, power dynamics and exclusion limit women’s engagement in peacebuilding and governance. Discussions emphasised that women are not merely beneficiaries of peace initiatives but active contributors to conflict prevention, reconciliation, social cohesion and community resilience.
Participants identified the key barriers to women’s participation as restrictive social norms, limited access to resources and information, economic constraints and underrepresentation in leadership structures. They also shared examples of women’s contributions to peacebuilding, including community-led mediation efforts that helped prevent conflict and strengthen reconciliation.
The session also provided a platform for dialogue among government leaders, traditional elders, religious leaders, women leaders and civil society actors on practical strategies to support women’s inclusion. Awareness raising, leadership development, policy reforms and stronger institutional commitments were identified as critical measures for advancing meaningful participation.
The session concluded with a commitment to increase women’s representation in peace and governance structures, strengthen women’s leadership capacities, promote economic empowerment and foster collaboration among key stakeholders. Participants reaffirmed that sustainable peace and development can only be achieved through the meaningful inclusion of women in decision-making and peacebuilding processes.
By convening government, traditional, religious and community actors around a common agenda, IGAD continues to advance a shared vision of a peaceful, inclusive and resilient Hirshabelle State, one in which women’s leadership and participation are central to lasting peace and development.
