Conflict in the Great Lakes Region of Africa has claimed 5 million lives over the last two decades, with women suffering disproportionately.
As the first woman to serve as UN Special Envoy to the region, Mary Robinson is determined to do things differently, ensuring that all of civil society – including women – are brought into the peace process.
“Women’s voices shouldn’t only be heard because they are the victims of the war,” she said. “The reason why their active participation to peace efforts is essential is that they are the most effective peace builders.”
As the first woman to serve as UN Special Envoy to the region, Mary Robinson is determined to do things differently, ensuring that all of civil society – including women – are brought into the peace process.
“Women’s voices shouldn’t only be heard because they are the victims of the war,” she said. “The reason why their active participation to peace efforts is essential is that they are the most effective peace builders.”
Mary Robinson speaking at women's conference
In July 2013, Mary Robinson brought together more than 100 women from across the Great Lakes region of Africa for a conference in Burundi on women, peace, security and development.
“We want peace, but a peace based on justice, not impunity,” says Gogo Kavira, head of women’s group in Goma in eastern Congo.
“Women can no longer accept peace deals that reward the men who raped them with a position in the army. Impunity only leads to more sexual violence.”
“We want peace, but a peace based on justice, not impunity,” says Gogo Kavira, head of women’s group in Goma in eastern Congo.
“Women can no longer accept peace deals that reward the men who raped them with a position in the army. Impunity only leads to more sexual violence.”
Gogo Kavira
“When they work together, women have the power to move the lines,” explains Fédiane Nimpagaritse, member of the association of women journalists of Burundi.
“It is us women who initiated the dialogue between people of the regions when our countries were at war.”
“It is us women who initiated the dialogue between people of the regions when our countries were at war.”
Fédiane Nimpagaritse
“Men speak with their stomachs, women speak with their hearts,” says Lina Zedriga Waru Abuku, Director of Women Regional Associates for Community Initiatives, Uganda (left).
“Men tend to politicise everything and follow their egos. As women, we are more practical. We don’t have time for bureaucracy.”
“Men tend to politicise everything and follow their egos. As women, we are more practical. We don’t have time for bureaucracy.”
Lina Zedriga Waru Abuku
Newly-promoted General Bolingo is one of just three female generals in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s armed forces.
“I don’t consider myself a symbol. I owe my promotion to my 47 years of service in the Congolese army. But I hope I can inspire more women to join the military.”
“I don’t consider myself a symbol. I owe my promotion to my 47 years of service in the Congolese army. But I hope I can inspire more women to join the military.”
General Bolingo
“There will be no peace without an end to patriarchy, argues Neema Namadamu, from the Synergie of Congolese Women’s Association in Bukavu, South Kivu, in eastern Congo.
“Women are still considered second class citizens in our region. That is why we have so much hope in Mary Robinson. She knows what we went through and she knows that women are part of the solution.”
“Women are still considered second class citizens in our region. That is why we have so much hope in Mary Robinson. She knows what we went through and she knows that women are part of the solution.”
Neema Namadamu
After two days of discussions, Mary Robinson said:
“I feel energised by the leadership shown by the women I met in Bujumbura. They are taking full responsibility for peace, security and development in the region.
“Reaching across national borders, they are innovative, collegial and practical. I count on them to hold their leaders to account... My job now, and the job of the international community, is to support them in every way we can.”
Photo: Femmes Africa Solidarité
“I feel energised by the leadership shown by the women I met in Bujumbura. They are taking full responsibility for peace, security and development in the region.
“Reaching across national borders, they are innovative, collegial and practical. I count on them to hold their leaders to account... My job now, and the job of the international community, is to support them in every way we can.”
Photo: Femmes Africa Solidarité
Group of conference attendees
<h3 class="post-title subpt">“Women can no longer accept peace deals that reward the men who raped them with a position in the army. Impunity only leads to more sexual violence.” Gogo Kavira, eastern Congo
From community leaders and journalists to female army generals, women across Africa’s Great Lakes region are working together to build peace and hold their governments to account. Here they speak out on the struggle for equality, security and justice.</h3><div class="quoteblock"><div class="quotetext"></div></div>