SADC Launches Women Mediators Network

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) launched the Network of Women Mediators in Southern Africa on January 28, 2025, with support from the European Union (EU), the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD). The initiative is part of the joint SADC-EU program, Enhancing the Capability and Effectiveness of SADC’s Peace and Security Architecture (ECESPA).

The official launch took place at the Capital on the Park Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, and was led by Dr. Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi and a member of the SADC Panel of Elders. It was attended by senior government officials, civil society representatives, and development partners from across the region.

The Network is designed to strengthen women’s involvement in peace processes, particularly in conflict prevention, resolution, management, and post-conflict reconstruction. It aims to promote the participation of women in leadership roles, in line with regional and international commitments to gender equality, such as the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development.

Dr. Banda stressed that while the region is generally stable, sporadic conflicts still occur, requiring ongoing efforts to prevent and resolve disputes. The Network, she explained, presents an opportunity for women to play a more prominent role in shaping these efforts and ensuring more sustainable peace outcomes.

Ms. Lillian Matsika Takaendisa, Chief Director for Gender Policy Planning and Programme Management in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Women Affairs, represented the SADC Chairperson and highlighted the importance of women’s inclusion in conflict resolution. She stated that the Network would provide a platform for sharing experiences and resources among women mediators, enhancing their skills and connecting them with other networks, such as FemWise-Africa.

Professor Kula Ishmael Theletsane, Director of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs, discussed the SADC Regional Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security (2018–2030). He explained that the strategy aims to ensure gender equality in peace and security mechanisms, calling on Member States to include both men and women in decision-making roles in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.