The current situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains highly unstable, particularly the eastern part of the country which includes north and south Kivu Provinces continue to suffer from recurring cycles of conflict and persistent violence by armed groups. On February 24th 2013 the African Union (AU) alongside the leaders of the countries in the Great Lakes Region (GLR), signed a Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the DRC and the region. The Framework identified the key action points for the government of DRC, the region and the international community, as well as an oversight mechanism to address the root causes of the conflict and bring about peace in the country and the region. A month after, March 28th 2013, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2098 (2013) that re-enforced the AU PSC Framework and called for a newly designated Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region. The Resolution also called for the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Mission to the Congo (MONUSCO) for another year that will also include an ‘Intervention Brigade’ with the responsibility of neutralizing armed groups in the DRC.The primary objective of the workshop was to sensitize women leaders, grassroots women’s organizations and peace activist with knowledge and understanding of team dynamics, peace negotiations and lobbying to enable them to engage effectively in the short and long term processes of peace building and post conflict reconstruction.
