The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has launched a week-long training program aimed at enhancing the capacity of grassroots women to play a more active role in shaping security policies and initiatives in their communities. The program will provide them with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead peace and security efforts within their communities.
Organized by the Women, Youth, Peace and Security Institute (WYPSI) at KAIPTC, the training draws participants from various sectors, including local and national disaster relief organizations, local government agencies, traditional authorities, queen mothers, non-governmental organizations, and faith-based groups.
The initiative is grounded in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325), adopted in 2000, which acknowledges the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls and highlights the importance of women’s participation in peace processes.
At the program’s opening ceremony, Air Commodore David Akrong, Deputy Commandant of KAIPTC, emphasized that the course aligns with the Centre’s strategic objective of building African capacity to implement the Maputo Protocol and UNSCR 1325.
“By empowering grassroots women, KAIPTC aims to amplify their voices in shaping policies that directly affect their communities, especially in the context of Ghana’s election period,” Air Commodore Akrong remarked.
The training will focus on key areas such as preventing violence against women, protecting women in insecure environments, promoting women’s participation in decision-making, and addressing women’s needs in relief, rehabilitation, and recovery processes.
Mamaga Ametor Huebuadzu II, Paramount Queen of the Alavanyo Traditional Area in the Volta region of Ghana, also addressed participants, underscoring the importance of empowering women for leadership roles in peace and security. She acknowledged the crucial role women play in conflict prevention and resolution but pointed out that cultural and social barriers often limit their full participation. She committed to supporting women’s empowerment initiatives, advocating for peace education, and fostering collaborations with both local and international partners.
Ghana has made significant strides in advancing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda through initiatives that train gender activists and sensitize women at the grassroots level about their roles in promoting peaceful, resilient, and democratic societies.
This training program is funded by the Government of Sweden, and delivered by WYPSI in collaboration with LoveAid Foundation, a grassroots organization committed to advocating for inclusive policy design.