UN Urges Greater Inclusion of Women in Peacebuilding and Local Leadership

As Uganda joined the global community to mark the 26th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, UN Women has called for stronger political commitment and financial investment in women’s leadership. Speaking in Kampala, UN Women Country Representative Dr Paulina Chiwangu emphasized that sustainable peace relies heavily on expanding opportunities for women and girls to actively participate in decision-making and peacebuilding efforts.

Dr Chiwangu noted that advancing the women, peace, and security agenda cannot rely solely on external aid, calling instead for robust domestic resource mobilization. Several districts and cities, including Yumbe, Gulu, and Kasese, have already committed at least one percent of their annual budgets to local action plans. However, experts point out that out of 146 districts nationwide, coverage remains limited.

Robinah Rubimbwa, the Executive Director of the Coalition for Action on 1325 (CoACT), highlighted that grassroots initiatives serve as vital early warning systems, helping communities de-escalate conflicts before they turn violent. Meanwhile, Dr Angela Nakafeero from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development acknowledged regional security vulnerabilities stemming from neighboring nations like South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. She stressed that the government continues to work alongside development partners to train local peace mediators through the National Action Plan III.

Read the original story on the Daily Monitor.