Taking Gender Seriously: African Union and the WPS Agenda

The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, established by the United Nations in 2000 through Resolution 1325, emphasizes the importance of women's participation in peacebuilding, protection against gender-based violence, and post-conflict recovery. Africa has been a key player in advancing this agenda, with the African Union (AU) incorporating its principles into policies and frameworks like Agenda 2063 and the Continental Results Framework. However, challenges remain, including the slow adoption of National Action Plans (NAPs), inadequate gender-sensitive peace processes, and the exclusion of grassroots women's organizations from formal peacebuilding. While the AU has made significant strides, further efforts are needed to address structural issues such as the intersectionality of women’s needs and the underrepresentation of women in peace processes. The WPS agenda must move beyond token inclusion to focus on transforming gender relations and fostering inclusive, sustainable peace across the continent.