The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Gender Unit conducted a workshop on mainstreaming gender into SADC’s peace and security architecture for staff of the Directorate of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs from 19th-21st of February 2025, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The training was anchored on SADC Gender Instruments which demonstrates SADC’s commitment to Gender Equality as well the SADC Gender Mainstreaming Sector Specific Resource Kit, which was approved and launched in 2023.
The main objectives of the training, supported by the SADC-European Union (EU) programme titled Enhancing the Capability and Effectiveness of SADC’s Peace and Security Architecture (ECESPA), which is being implemented from 2024-2028 were to:
strengthen participants knowledge and analytical skills to address gender dimensions of the Organ’s mandate and priorities, hence develop gender responsive policies and programmes.
offer practical guidance and tools to mainstream gender in the strategic interventions on politics, defence and security; and
provide the tools/modalities for the development of a gender sensitive stakeholder platforms that involves both state and non-state actors.
In her opening remarks, the Head of the Gender Unit at the SADC Secretariat, Ms Phemelo Maiketso noted that the Secretariat is the lead facilitator of Member States’ goal to achieve gender equality and deepen regional integration, and that the Secretariat has the responsibility to strengthen internal institutional structures, systems and mechanisms on the issues of gender equity and empowerment as pathways toward fulfilling the regional vision. She further noted that SADC’s commitment and role requires that all Directorates and Units integrate gender into their strategic and action plans as an integral part of their day-to-day work.
The Organ Directorate on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs has a mammoth task of ensuring that women’s participation in mediations, peace and security processes is safeguarded and guaranteed as an entry point to sustainable peace.
The workshop highlighted ongoing work spearheaded by the Organ on mainstreaming gender in peace and security, such as the implementation of the SADC Strategy on Women, Peace and Security (2018-2030) which mainstreams gender into mediation and peace processes across the region; Member States have been encouraged to develop National Action Plans, with eight (8) Member States having already completed theirs.
Participants were exposed to various gender analysis tools and key concepts that are critical for promoting gender equity to reaching the end-goal of gender equality. Participants also benefitted from knowledge of how electoral systems may enable gender equity in elections and access to public office by women to achieve regional benchmarks on gender balance in decision making processes. Participants from the Organ Sectors and from the Directorate of Policy, Planning and Resource Mobilisation (PPRM) engaged on various issues including the problem of Trafficking in Persons (TIP), especially women and children focusing on the root causes of the phenomena.
Resource persons were drawn from the SADC Secretariat particularly the Gender Unit represented by Ms Phemelo Maiketso, Dr Joseph Pitso, Dr Kondwani Chirambo (Coordinator of the ECESPA Programme). Resource persons were also drawn from the SADC Parliamentary Forum, the African Centre for Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) and the Sonke Gender Justice Network.
The key outcome of the workshop includes an enhanced understanding of gender concepts, the importance of gender equality in peace operations, and international frameworks such as UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. Participants also developed the capacity to apply gender-sensitive approaches in conflict resolution, peacekeeping, and post-conflict recovery. The workshop led to actionable strategies for preventing gender-based violence, protecting vulnerable groups, and promoting equal participation in peace processes. Additionally, commitments were made to institutionalise gender-sensitive policies, standard operating procedures, and accountability mechanisms within peace support missions.
