Great Lakes region adopts new measure to combat violence against women

Dar es Salaam. Twelve countries within the Great Lakes region have adopted a new initiative aimed at boosting women's participation in leadership, peacekeeping, security, and conflict resolution.

The initiative, termed “Barometer,” also focuses on preventing violence against women and girls, and promoting policies to empower them, ensuring they are not marginalised at the grassroots level.

Such a decision comes amid ongoing concerns over the limited participation of women in leadership roles and conflict resolution, especially in countries striving for gender equality.

The adoption of the measure was announced during a two-day International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), held in Dar es Salaam. The conference highlighted reports on gender equality, women’s involvement in peacebuilding processes, and efforts to tackle sexual and gender-based violence across the region.

Speaking at the conference, acting director of the Africa Department at Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ms Ellen Maduhu, noted that the United Nations, African Union, and other regional bodies have passed a resolution advocating for women’s involvement in peace and security matters, including leadership roles.

Representatives from the 12 member states convened to assess the progress made towards fulfilling the goals of the resolution.

“This measure will enable each country to monitor its efforts in involving women and preventing violence against women and girls, thereby enhancing accountability,” Ms Maduhu said.

The primary objective of the Barometer is to foster a balanced and peaceful Great Lakes region by amplifying the voices of women and girls, protecting their rights, and recognising their contributions in all areas of peace and security.

The conference acknowledged the impact of political instability and conflict in some countries.

Events such as the 1994 Rwandan genocide, civil wars in Burundi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), along with ongoing conflicts in Sudan, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and parts of eastern DRC, have led to immense suffering for women and girls, particularly due to conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence.

Regional director of the ICGLR’s think tank, Dr Jean-Paul Kimonyo, said that while strides have been made in empowering women and shielding them from the effects of violence, there remains much work to do.

“There have been positive developments, like Tanzania now having a female head of state, and the DRC with a female prime minister. Rwanda also leads the way,” he said.

“But alongside these advances, we must address the persistent violence and conflicts. Our Barometer aims to support this,” he added.

Dr Kimonyo pointed out that, although women’s representation in some political arenas has improved, their presence in local government, where decisions that affect communities are made, remains limited.

Zimbabwean gender consultant, Ms Munhamo Chisvo, highlighted the importance of examining protections against gender-based violence both online and offline. She urged countries to strengthen policies, legal frameworks and strategies that ensure women’s participation in leadership, political, economic, and public spheres.

“We need to raise gender equality levels to 50 percent across the board. Rwanda has achieved this; now we must encourage other nations in the region to follow the suit,” she said.

“In particular, women’s involvement in local governance is crucial for effective conflict resolution,” she added.