“Although the need to engage women in peace processes is widely acknowledged, most mediation teams do not include or encourage the voices and representation of women. Promoting women’s capacities to participate in peace processes is crucial for their advancement and ability to contribute to peace, development and security. This Policy & Practice Brief (PPB) mainly bases its
discussions and recommendations on debates which took place during the Southern African Women Mediators Seminar (SAWMS). This brief makes the case that women’s potential in mediation remains largely untapped and that organisations engaged in peacemaking should
improve their support for women’s increased capacity and participation in peace processes. It examines the inhibiting factors preventing women’s participation in southern Africa and offers recommendations which can contribute to the inclusion of women in mediation processes. The PPB also analyses Madagascar, Mozambique and Zimbabwe as case studies to illustrate the evolution of
women’s involvement in peace processes in the region over the past two decades.”
