As part of the Network’s efforts to strengthen grassroots peacemaking and peacebuilding through inclusive measures, the Network, in collaboration with Finn Church Aid, are developing a Peace Circle Training Program manual for Peace Mothers and Peacemakers. In December, a two-day consultation was held to develop a training manual as well as to inform and contribute to the National Reconciliation Framework (NRF) during the reconciliation process.
Somalia has seen many peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts over the years, each with varying degrees of success. Peace has been elusive despite the multiple initiatives, revealing the uniqueness of the Somali context. Somali women are seen as the backbone of society yet are frequently marginalized from the political sphere, peacemaking operations and reconciliation process. Several barriers are unfavourable for women in Somalia and limit their participation in peacebuilding and reconciliation. Despite the barriers, Somali women have been positively contributing to various levels of the peacebuilding, peacemaking and social reconciliation processes. Women have advocated for a broader and more holistic view regarding peace in the country including sustainable livelihoods, education and practical reconciliation. As wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, businesswomen and members of civil society, women have been able to influence elders and others for sustainable peace while mobilizing resources to finalize peace and reconciliation process efforts.
As part of the Network’s efforts to strengthen grassroots peacemaking and peacebuilding through inclusive measures, the Network, in collaboration with Finn Church Aid, are developing a Peace Circle Training Program manual for Peace Mothers and Peacemakers. This initiative fits with the larger goal to bring ownership of Somali owned and Somali led peace processes in the horn of Africa.
In December, a two-day consultation meeting was held for 25 Peace Mothers from the peace committees in Banadir Regional Administration (BRA) and 17 Peacemakers including regiluous leaders, elders, peace actors, youth and women groups from civil society partners. Together, they worked to develop a training manual as well as to inform and contribute to the National Reconciliation Framework (NRF) during the reconciliation process. The consultation brought local perspectives into the Peace Circle Training Program in order to strengthen and promote a locally-owned reconciliation, peacemaking and peace building processes across Somalia.
The Network and FCA in Somalia have engaged with an external individual consultant to lead and spearhead the process for developing the Peace Circle Training Program manual for Peace Mothers and Peacemakers.
20 December 2019