East & Southern Africa RO

The most impactful result in the reporting year was UN Women�s significant contribution to enhancing women�s participation in peace processes in Sudan, where Sudanese women led efforts to ensure 50% representation in peace talks despite ongoing conflict. With advisory, coordination, advocacy and financial, support from UN Women and in collaboration with regional actors such as the African Union (AU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), women�s advocacy culminated in the Kampala Feminist Declaration, a powerful statement from 49 women-led organizations which addressed critical issues such as governance reforms, security, the humanitarian crisis, and truth and reconciliation, while condemning systemic gender-based violence. The advocacy efforts informed and directly influenced key peace dialogues, including the AU Women Dialogue, the AU-IGAD Inter-Sudanese Political Dialogue, and USA-led Geneva peace talks. A key milestone from these efforts was the establishment of a technical committee dedicated to ensuring women�s voices were heard and prioritized in peace processes by the group of states and mechanisms supporting the peace talks (AU, IGAD, United States of America, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and United Nations). Furthermore, continuous advocacy by UN Women and partners resulted in increased attention to the gendered impacts of the conflict, and in particular, conflict related sexual violence (CRSV). By amplifying the voices of women and bringing these grave violations to light, there has been increased recognition of CRSV in regional and global dialogue, policy spaces and in the media. This was facilitated by the two Gender Alerts (on the gender dimensions to the crises and the urgency of addressing gender-based violence respectively) produced by UN Women which presents analysis and calls to action by gender equality advocate for use by policy-makers, humanitarian actors and the public. This outcome not only reinforced women�s critical role in shaping Sudan�s future but also demonstrated how empowering women can lead to more inclusive and sustainable peace solutions. This result is a direct contribution to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The Regional Office provided technical and financial support to engage and advocate with regional bodies such as the AU and IGAD that are leading the peace processes, UN Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes and other regional actors. The Regional Office also facilitated Sudanese women in the region to be engage with these key stakeholders and interlocutors. This was done in collaboration and close coordination with the Sudan Country Office who supported internal consultations to inform discussions at the regional level.

Women�s voices in the Women, Peace, and Security domain were enhanced by providing a conducive environment through the development of The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Eastern Africa�s Regional Action Plan (RAP on UNSCR 1325 (2023-2030)[i]. The RAP enhances accountability for the implementation of National Action Plans. Furthermore, it strives to improve the policy environment, fostering greater inclusion of women in peace processes, reinforce efforts in preventing conflicts and violence against women, girls, and vulnerable groups, particularly focusing on the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence, and address new and emerging threats in the region. IGAD's strategy involves collaborative efforts with Member States and women's organizations to ensure the realization of RAP commitments. As a result, IGAD has ensured an all-inclusive political dialogue and its collaboration with Sudanese women to ensure their full inclusion in the ongoing peace process. Over 400 Sudanese women from 14 out of the 18 states of Sudan representing 80 diverse groups, coalitions, and networks of Sudanese women peace builders were involved in the peace process with support from UN Women. The result contributed to the following SDG targets: o Target 5.5. Ensure full participation in leadership and decision-making o Target 5.2 Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres o Target 5.9. Adopt and strengthen policies and enforceable legislation for gender equality o Target 16.1 Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. o Target 16.2 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children o Target 16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. o Target 16.6 Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels. o Target 16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels. o Target 16.a Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime. In providing a conducive environment for women�s collective efforts to stop the war as well as their strategic engagement in the peace process UN Women partnered with the following: � African Union and IGAD to facilitate strategic spaces for Sudanese women to position their agenda within the ongoing peace processes and political dialogue. � AWLN collaborated with female peace advocates and women's rights organizations to bolster and amplify their voices in urging an end to the conflict. The focus was on shedding light on the repercussions for women and girls, mobilizing support for women's peacebuilding and protection initiatives in Sudan through coalition building, and developing a unified agenda for peace.