The citizen movement Femin-in organized a regional think tank on peace and security in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on September 30, 2026. The event brought together women's organizations, feminist activists, and human rights defenders from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. This initiative aims to create a regional dynamic led by women themselves, enabling them to be recognized as key actors in peace, change, and social transformation within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The objective of this activity is to establish a regional think tank for women on peace, resilience, and social cohesion. This think tank is designed to produce concrete analyses and proposals tailored to the realities of the three countries, contributing to the consolidation of peace, human security, and solidarity within the AES. According to Benedicte Bailou, Executive President of Femin-in, this regional framework on peace and security serves as a platform for women from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to exchange ideas and create a memorandum.
The think tank, which lasted 48 hours, brought together around twenty participants. It is part of the project "Women Standing Up for Peace and Security in Burkina Faso and the AES," funded by the German Embassy in Burkina Faso. This project, implemented over 12 months, aims to strengthen women's roles in peace and security processes. The event provided a unique opportunity for participants to share experiences and best practices in addressing common challenges faced by the Sahel region.
Participants welcomed the initiative, highlighting its importance in the current context of the Sahel region. Anna N'Diaye, a Malian participant, praised the event as a beautiful initiative that allows women to share experiences and demonstrate their crucial role in peace processes. She emphasized that each community has its own approaches and that women's contributions can make a significant difference.
Annie Höhne, Political Advisor at the German Embassy in Burkina Faso, a partner in the activity, commended the initiative for its originality and added value. She stressed the importance of networking among civil society associations from the three AES countries, enabling them to exchange experiences and build a better future together.
The think tank is part of a broader effort to promote women's participation in peace and security processes in the Sahel region. By creating a platform for women to share their experiences and perspectives, Femin-in aims to contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable approach to peacebuilding. The event concluded with a renewed commitment to continued collaboration and knowledge-sharing among participants.
The outcome of the think tank is expected to be a comprehensive document outlining concrete proposals and recommendations for enhancing women's roles in peace and security processes in the AES. This document will serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders working towards sustainable peace and development in the region.
Key points
- The think tank brought together women's organizations and human rights defenders from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to discuss peace and security challenges in the Sahel region.
- The initiative aims to create a regional dynamic led by women themselves, enabling them to be recognized as key actors in peace, change, and social transformation within the AES.
- The event was funded by the German Embassy in Burkina Faso as part of a 12-month project to strengthen women's roles in peace and security processes.
