Women’s Participation in the AU’s Peace and Security Architecture: A Look at Gender Relations in Conflict Management in Africa

60 years after the march towards unity, Africa is still driven by a multitude of conflicts, yet, the vision of the pan-African organization, which is the African Union (AU), through Agenda 2063, aspires to an “Africa living in peace and security”. The AU Peace and Security Council, which is the AU’s decision-making body on security issues, has set up a key pillar: the African Peace and Security Architecture. Given the crucial importance of this architecture for the continent, women should be involved at all levels.

60 years after the march towards unity, Africa is still driven by a multitude of conflicts, yet, the vision of the pan-African organization, which is the African Union (AU), through Agenda 2063, aspires to an “Africa living in peace and security”. The AU Peace and Security Council, which is the AU’s decision-making body on security issues, has set up a key pillar: the African Peace and Security Architecture. Given the crucial importance of this architecture for the continent, women should be involved at all levels. This institution is therefore responsible for ensuring the full participation and representation of women in the peace process. The widespread of sexual violence committed against women during armed conflicts reflects a denial of their rights and reinforces their marginal position. The many contemporary misogynistic meanings expressed in social and political usage ignore the matriarchal basis of African societies. In line with the UN’s vision, notably Resolution 1325, the AU peace and security architecture is exercising its mandate to involve women in peace and security strategies. From a feminist perspective, cleansed of the dross of what Pierre Bourdieu called “masculine domination”, this topic provides an opportunity to question and even deconstruct the positivist theories that are prevalent today. How can women’s leadership contribute to sustainable peace and security in Africa?