The Forum of Parliaments of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR) will meet in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from November 2 to 5. The gathering brings together women legislators and senior leaders from 12 member states, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan serving as guest of honour. The meeting aims to turn regional commitments on peace, security, and women's empowerment into policies with economic consequences. Tanzania's role as host carries diplomatic significance, given its long association with regional peace initiatives.
The Great Lakes region faces significant challenges, including insecurity, political tensions, displacement, and limited economic opportunities. FP-ICGLR Secretary-General Ambassador Dr Deo Mwapinga says the forum was established in 2012 to strengthen cooperation among the region's parliaments. Its work includes monitoring political developments and elections, issuing recommendations to member states, and addressing peace, security, refugees, citizenship, and regional stability. The November conference seeks to examine interconnected challenges through the experience and influence of women legislators.
Tanzania's Deputy Speaker Daniel Sillo said the conference reflects Tanzania's longstanding commitment to inclusive governance and regional peace. Women currently account for about 40 per cent of Tanzania's parliamentarians, placing the country among the leading member states in terms of women's parliamentary representation. Sillo emphasized that the value of the meeting will be measured by what delegates learn from one another. The exchange of experiences is central to the FP-ICGLR model, allowing countries to share effective legislation and approaches.
Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups Dr Dorothy Gwajima said women's participation in peace and security is essential. Women and children are often most affected by insecurity and poor access to services. Gwajima cited Tanzania's history of women leaders and noted that such achievements must translate into practical systems. Tanzania is implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 through its 2023–2027 National Action Plan, with the challenge of turning commitments into legislation, budgets, and programmes.
The conference is expected to produce a Dar es Salaam Declaration on Women, Peace and Security and a two-year action plan. FP-ICGLR Secretary-General Dr Mwapinga stressed the need to address peace, security, development, resource management, and gender-responsive legislation. The focus on resources is significant, given the Great Lakes' substantial mineral and agricultural wealth. The benefits of those resources depend heavily on governance, security, infrastructure, and access to markets.
The economic dimension of the conference is reflected in the involvement of the private sector. Tanzania Commercial Bank (TCB) Chief Executive Dr Adam Mihayo argued that financial institutions have a strategic role in expanding women's economic participation. Women-led businesses account for 30 per cent of TCB's lending in Tanzania, representing approximately 540bn/-. Mihayo cited northern Uganda, where women helped rebuild the economy after conflict and now account for a significant share of small and medium-sized businesses.
Dr Tulia Ackson, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and former Speaker of Tanzania's Parliament, urged FP-ICGLR delegates to ensure that the conference produces policy change rather than simply another set of discussions. Ackson said women must move beyond numerical representation to exert meaningful influence on decisions, particularly on children, education, health, and poverty reduction. The conference's outcome will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of the FP-ICGLR in addressing regional challenges.
Key points
- The Great Lakes parliamentary forum aims to turn regional commitments on peace, security, and women's empowerment into policies with economic consequences.
- Tanzania's role as host carries diplomatic significance, given its long association with regional peace initiatives.
- The conference seeks to examine interconnected challenges through the experience and influence of women legislators.
