Women have always been critical stakeholders in Africa’s political and socio-economic history. Whether it be in the fight against colonialism, or the push for the promotion of developmental policies that improve the well-being of the citizens, African women have continued to lead the charge in promoting the interests of the continent.
Another area where African women have continued to shine brightly is in conflict resolution and mediation. Whether it is in the African continent or across the world, many nations have constantly been bogged down by civil wars, ethnic divisions, and disputes that have continued to impede world peace and development.
In finding resolutions to this continued strife, international and regional organizations have continually sought ways to bring warring parties to the negotiation table. This is done through representatives whose role as peacebuilders and bridge builders has continued to contribute to the de-escalation of conflicts across the world.
Among the many peace ambassadors are several African women whose contributions have made them trailblazers in conflict mediation and post-conflict reconciliation. Below is a list of African women who remain trailblazers in the quest for peace across the continent.
Bineta Diop (Senegal)
Image: AMISOM Public Information, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
A strong voice in the effort to drive, strengthen and promote conflict prevention and peacebuilding in Africa, and special envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace and Security, Bineta Diop comes with over 35 years experience leading peace building initiatives and efforts to facilitate dialogue and more opportunities for women in Africa.
Her journey in conflict mediation and resolution has seen her actively involved in reconciliation efforts in Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi. She has also been actively involved in election observation processes across the continent.
A strong advocate for women’s rights, she has not only been neck deep in dialogues that facilitated women’s rights and economic empowerment in Africa, but she also founded the Empowering Women in Agriculture Initiative in Africa (EWA) and is a founder and Chair of the Board of Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS).
She has also served as a member of the African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan, sat on several international executive and advisory boards like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue as well as co-chairing the 2014 World Economic Forum on Africa.
Recognized for her remarkable influence, she is a recipient of the Jacques Chirac Foundation award, Knight of the French Legion d’Honneur, and Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world.
Leymah Gbowee (Liberia)
Image: Fronteiras do Pensamento, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Liberian civil war had taken on a devastating effect on the lives of the people living in the West African country. The 14-year civil war which began in 1989 had forced many to flee to various nations as refugees. The resultant suffering that came about because of the war would inspire Leymah who at that time had escaped as a refugee to return home first as a social worker and trauma counsellor for ex-child soldiers affected by the conflict and then as a founding member and Coordinator of the Women in Peacebuilding Network (WIPNET) of the West Africa Network.
She was instrumental in leading a non-violent movement of Christian and Muslim Women who were committed to ending the long-standing conflict. The activities of the movement would later force President Charles Taylor’s resignation and departure into exile while ensuring a mandatory peace treaty for a transitional government to be signed. This gave birth to the emergence of Africa’s first female head of state, the Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Recognized for her accomplishments, she was named a Distinguished Fellow in Social Justice, as well as a Visiting Transnational Fellow at the Center for Research on Women and Fellow in Residence at the Athena Center for Leadership Studies at Barnard College.
She also founded the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA), in Monrovia, Liberia, which focuses on educational and leadership development opportunities for girls, women, and youth.
Graça Machel (Mozambique)
Image: Fronteiras do Pensamento, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
African stateswoman and wife of late Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel was not only rooted in Mozambique’s struggle for self-rule during her freedom fighting years in Mozambique’s FRELIMO movement, but she was also instrumental in driving international advocacy for women and children’s rights.
She would later go on to become the country’s first Minister of Education, a role which she leveraged to provide insight and report on the impact of armed conflict on children. This report which was spearheaded by UNICEF would influence how the United Nations along with its member states responds to conflict in various zones.
As a member of several international and regional development organizations, Marcel has continued to push for child welfare as well as women’s health and empowerment. She serves as the board chair of the African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes, the Mandela Institute for Development Studies, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and Education Above All, Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), and several other notable organizations.
A recipient of the United Nations’ Nansen Refugee Award, Machel played a crucial role in the 2007 Kenya election crisis where a high-level mediation team was required to drive a resolution in the crisis that came about as a result of the elections.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia)
Image: Sean Hurt, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Africa’s first democratically elected woman president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took over a country that was recovering from a 14-year civil war, leading the country through an extensive and reconciliatory process. She was also instrumental in attracting more women into the peace initiative process. A feat that earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 as well as other awards in recognition of her leadership role.
She became the first woman to be elected chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and was crucial in Liberia’s fight against the Ebola pandemic of 2014-2015. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf continued to remain a strong advocate for women’s involvement in politics and decision-making processes.
Okechukwu Nzeribe works with the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, in Anambra State, Nigeria, and loves unveiling the richness of African cultures. okechukwu.onicima@gmail.com
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