Rising GBV, Regional Conflicts Undermining Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Great Lakes – Experts

Kampala — Experts have raised concern over increasing cases of gender-based violence (GBV) and persistent conflicts across the Great Lakes region, warning that the trend is undermining progress in implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.

The WPS framework, established under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000, seeks to enhance women’s participation in peace processes, protect them from violence, and integrate gender perspectives into security and recovery efforts. It is anchored on four pillars: participation, protection, prevention, and relief and recovery.

Speaking during a meeting of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) in Kampala, stakeholders highlighted the growing link between insecurity, displacement, and heightened vulnerability among women and girls.

Dr. Angela Nakafeero, Commissioner for Gender and Women Affairs at Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, said although Uganda has enjoyed relative stability over the past three decades, conflicts in neighboring countries continue to pose significant challenges.

“Uganda has been stable for about 30 years, but our neighbors are not. Conflicts in countries like South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo continue to spill over into Uganda,” she said.

Nakafeero noted that Uganda is currently hosting about 1.97 million refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom are fleeing conflict. She warned that GBV rates in refugee settlements are significantly higher than the national average.

“Research indicates that gender-based violence in refugee settlements is higher compared to the national rate,” she said, attributing this to displacement, economic vulnerability, and social disruption.

She added that Uganda is implementing its Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, which prioritizes GBV prevention and response, climate action, and strengthening women’s participation in peacebuilding processes.

Dr. Jean Paul Kimonyo from the Levy Mwanawasa Regional Centre acknowledged progress in women’s political representation across the region but cautioned that gains are being overshadowed by rising violence.

“The level of women’s representation in politics has improved significantly, but there is a worrying increase in gender-based and sexual violence,” he said.

Kimonyo explained that while Uganda is less affected by conflict-related sexual violence compared to some neighboring countries, social forms of GBV remain prevalent and require urgent attention through awareness campaigns and community engagement.

At the regional level, the ICGLR is working to harmonize interventions through a Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

Flaviana Charles, Director for Gender, Women and Children at ICGLR, said the plan is designed to complement national strategies already adopted by member states.

“We now have 11 member states that have finalized their National Action Plans, with one more in the process. The regional framework will strengthen coordination and implementation,” she said.

Charles noted that the plan emphasizes women’s meaningful participation in leadership and peacebuilding, economic empowerment, and early warning systems to prevent conflicts.

“We are establishing a situation room to track early warning signs across member states to prevent conflicts before they escalate,” she added.

She stressed that sustainable peace is critical to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all citizens, particularly women and children.

“If there is no peace, no one is safe,” she said, underscoring the need for psychosocial support, economic empowerment, and reintegration programs for survivors of violence in post-conflict settings.

Experts agreed that without addressing the root causes of conflict and GBV, progress on the WPS agenda in the Great Lakes region will remain fragile.