In Africa, the African Union and subregional organizations, as well as civil ...

In Africa, the African Union and subregional organizations, as well as civil society, play a pivotal and strategic role in the prevention and resolution of conflict. Women are always ready to play a role in conflict resolution initiatives, such as the promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law, both of which are vital to peace, security, stability and prosperity. Consistent with these efforts, and in order to promote the effective participation of women in peacekeeping, peacebuilding and security, the African Union in February 2009 declared 2010-2020 as the African Women's Decade. It further committed its subregional organizations and member States to use the frameworks of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) to integrate gender policies, programmes and activities on conflict and peace, and to create regional consultative platforms on peace for the sharing of knowledge and information and the harmonization of strategies.