Dakar, Senegal — September 17, 2025
The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA), represented by its Executive Director, Mrs. Theodora Williams Anti, actively participated in the West Africa Regional Consultation on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, held from 16–17 September 2025 in Dakar. Convened by the African Union Commission under the leadership of H.E. Amb. Adeoye Bankole, the meeting marked a significant milestone in commemorating the 25th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.
Adopted unanimously in October 2000, UNSCR 1325 was the first Security Council resolution to recognize the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls, and to affirm their essential role in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and post-conflict recovery. It calls for the integration of gender perspectives in all peace and security efforts, and mandates the protection of women’s rights during and after conflict. Despite its transformative vision, implementation has been uneven across regions, often hindered by limited political will, inadequate financing, and weak accountability mechanisms.
As a leading civil society organization in Ghana and West Africa, FOSDA brought forward critical insights from its ongoing work monitoring Ghana’s Second National Action Plan (GHANAP2) on UNSCR 1325. Mrs. Williams Anti shared how FOSDA’s innovative monitoring framework has significantly raised awareness among stakeholders and empowered institutions to fulfill their roles in advancing the WPS agenda.
“Monitoring is not just about tracking progress — it’s about empowering actors to take ownership and drive change,” said Mrs. Williams Anti.
A key outcome of this initiative has been the establishment of the Women Mediators Network of Ghana, a platform that mobilizes and equips women leaders to engage in peace processes, mediate local conflicts, and advocate for inclusive governance.
“Our approach has not only illuminated gaps in implementation but also fostered accountability and collaboration among actors,” she noted during the consultation.
A central theme of the meeting was the urgent need for dedicated funding mechanisms to support NAP implementation. FOSDA joined other participants in calling for increased political will and sustained investment to bridge the financing gap and ensure the full realization of UNSCR 1325 commitments.
The consultation provided a strategic platform to examine the unique challenges facing WPS implementation in West Africa, including conflict dynamics, institutional capacity gaps, and limited grassroots engagement. CSO leaders advocated for bottom-up approaches that center community voices and local realities in policy design and execution of the Women Peace and Security Agenda.
Participants agreed that civil society organizations must deepen collaboration to improve communication, advocacy, and impact. FOSDA underscored the importance of intentional, strategic partnerships among CSOs as a cornerstone for advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda. By fostering shared learning, coordinated action, and unified messaging, such collaborations can amplify grassroots voices and accelerate the implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs) and UNSCR 1325 commitments across West Africa.
As the global community marks the 25th anniversary of UNSCR 1325, FOSDA reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive governance, gender equity, and sustainable peace across Africa. The Dakar consultation served not only as a reflection on progress but as a renewed call to action for governments, civil society, and development partners alike.