In a joint effort to enhance strategic approaches to peace and security, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with the ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development (CCDG), hosted a capacity-building workshop on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda. The three-day workshop, held from October 2 to 4, 2024, focused on equipping CCDG staff and partners with tools to incorporate gender perspectives into conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and the fight against violent extremism.
Around 30 participants attended the workshop, including staff from CCDG, representatives from the ECOWAS National Office in Senegal (BNC), members of the Peace and Security Network for Women in the ECOWAS Area (REPSFECO), the Consortium for Economic and Social Research (CRES), and the Association des Juristes Sénégalaises (AJS). The event aimed to strengthen their capacity to strategically apply the WPS agenda in their organizational missions and activities, enhancing the overall effectiveness of their interventions across various levels.
In her opening remarks, the Director of CCDG emphasized the need for this training to be extended to all ECOWAS divisions, including management, technical, and support staff. She highlighted the importance of ensuring broad institutional ownership of the WPS agenda to effectively address ongoing challenges in the region.
The Director also underscored the significance of integrating gender, peace, and security considerations into the fight against cross-border economic crimes in West Africa, calling for targeted training in this area.
