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The Women Peace and Security Network Africa (WIPSEN-Africa)was established on 8th May, 2006 under the laws of the Republic of Ghana as awomen-focused, women-led Pan-African Non-Governmental Organization with the core mandate to promote women's strategic participation and leadership in peaceand security governance in Africa. Over the last two decades and especiallysince the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 onWomen Peace and Security in October 2000, women the world over have beenengaged in activities that aim at (re)building particularly war-torn societies,restoring relationships and promoting social cohesion.  In Africa, the involvement of women inpeacebuilding gained prominence during the two decades of violentconflicts/wars that saw and resulted in the mobilization of women across allsectors to find lasting solutions and take action. Various approaches were usedwith the aim of achieving this purpose but for WIPSEN-Africa, such strategicengagement must be systematic and requires proactivity, access to timely andaccurate information, knowledge of the issue area, and specialized skills. Itdemands that the erstwhile adhoc, impulsive and reactionary nature of women'sactivism be structured and informed. This not only necessitates capacitystrengthening and grassroots mobilization, but also action-oriented research,policy influencing, documentation, information sharing, and strategic dialogue,networking and partnership building. This is the raison d'être for theestablishment of WIPSEN-Africa, and the organization was founded toprofessionalize and institutionalize women peace and security in Africa.WIPSEN-Africa is a network organization and collaborates with partner,associate and affiliate organizations across the Continent and in the Diasporato implement its mandate.

Vision

A violence free, non-discriminatory continent that fosterspeaceful coexistence, equality, collective ownership and the full participationof particularly women in decision making on peace and human security.

Mission

To institutionalize and mainstream women, peace and securityby enhancing women's leadership capacities and promoting constructive,innovative and collaborative approaches to non-violent transformation ofconflicts, peacebuilding and human security in Africa.

Goal

To enable, enhance, and sustain African women's right toparticipation and leadership in fostering human security, sustainable peace,and development.

Objectives

WIPSEN-Africa has four broad strategic objectives thatdefine the parameters for its operations. Namely, to:

1.            Providea platform for women across all levels of African societies to exchange, share,and harmonize strategies for women's leadership and build coalitions to promotepeace and security in Africa.

2.            Strengthenwomen's capacities to sustain their active engagement in conflict prevention,peacebuilding, peace support operations, and human security at policy,research, and praxis levels.

3.            Promotethe twin approach of mainstreaming gender in peace and security mechanisms andinstitutions while at the same time mainstreaming peace and security in allgender mechanisms, policies, and institutions.

4.            Influencepolicy development and implementation on women, peace and security in Africathrough rigorous research, strategic advocacy, and documentation.