IGAD Gender

🕊️ IGAD Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security 📅 27 February 2026,–Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪 The @IGADsecretariat Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security successfully concluded in Nairobi with commitments to institutionalise gender-transformative peacebuilding across the region. The Ministers, Heads of Delegation, Delegates, and Experts ; 🔹 Endorsed the establishment of the IGAD Women Mediation Advisory Board to reinforce inclusive preventive diplomacy 
🔹 Adopted the IGAD Gender Statistics Strategy (2026–2030) to strengthen harmonised, gender-disaggregated data for evidence-based policy 
🔹 Launched the Gendered Intersectionality Toolkit, advancing inclusive conflict prevention by integrating analysis of overlapping identities into early warning and mediation efforts The Conference closed with a clear regional resolve to strengthen women’s leadership, enhance data-driven peacebuilding, and advance inclusive security across the IGAD region. #IGAD #WPS

1/2 Warmest congratulations to Amina Farah M. on being named Women Leader of the Year 2025 by @Leadershipm2023. This honor reflects your unwavering commitment, integrity, and impactful Leadership in advancing gender equality and empowering young people across the IGAD Region.

Celebrating women’s leadership across IGAD this International Women’s Day. Our Gender Manager Amina Farah (@xubbifarah), reminds us that protecting rights, upholding justice and turning commitments into action is everyone’s responsibility. #IWD2026 #WomensRights #GenderEquality #IWPS

Growing up and through my career, I’ve witnessed the resilience and determination of women who held families, governments, and communities together, often in the face of great challenges. Their strength continues to inspire us all to advancing women’s leadership across the region. Through initiatives such as the IGAD Women Forums on Peace, Agriculture, Digital Security and Artificial Intelligence, and Land Governance, alongside the IGAD Gender Strategy, we continue to expand opportunities and elevate women’s voices across the IGAD region. On this International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to a future where women lead and thrive.

Investing in women isn't just a moral choice, it’s a regional necessity. ​The @IGADsecretariat Gender Department continues to work with Member States to ensure that every woman and girl has the resources and rights to thrive. Together, we build a more equitable future. ✊🏾 🇩🇯 🇪🇹 🇰🇪 🇸🇴 🇸🇸 🇸🇩 🇺🇬 ​#IWD2026 #IGADGender #WomenInLeadership #RisingWithIGAD

IGAD Executive Secretary Congratulates Dr. Monica Kathina Juma on United Nations Appointment The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, congratulates Dr. @AmbMonicaJuma of Kenya on her appointment by the United Nations Secretary General as Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Director General of the United Nations Office at Vienna. Dr. @AmbMonicaJuma has maintained longstanding engagement with IGAD through her distinguished public service. As Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, she participated in the IGAD Council of Ministers, contributing to regional dialogue and cooperation. Earlier, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kenya to Ethiopia and Djibouti and Permanent Representative of Kenya to IGAD between 2010 and 2013, she played an active role in the IGAD Committee of Ambassadors during a pivotal moment for the region that included the independence of South Sudan and intensive regional diplomacy under the auspices of IGAD. The Executive Secretary noted that Dr. @AmbMonicaJuma’s appointment reflects the confidence of the international community in her leadership and experience, and expressed confidence that her tenure will contribute to advancing global efforts to address transnational crime, deepen multilateral cooperation, and promote international peace and security.

Looking back at the key highlights of the IGAD Ministerial Conference, which brought together ministers, gender specialists, and mediation experts to strengthen women’s participation in peace and security.

Last week in Nairobi: Productive engagements at the #IGAD Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace, & Security. #IGS reaffirmed their commitment to placing women at the center of peace and mediation through the IGAD Women Mediation Advisory Board-a milestone for inclusive.

We’ve had 3 reflective days at @IGADsecretariat with @IGADgender at the Ministerial Meeting on Women Peace Security. Our mission: To ensure women’s full, equal & meaningful participation in peace processes, political dialogue & security decision making #ForAllWomenandGirls

Opening of the High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Women, Peace & Security – Nairobi 🇰🇪 On behalf of H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu (@DrWorkneh), the IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E Mohamed Abdi Ware (@MAWareSO ) – IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary in his welcoming remarks emphasised that women hold the social fabric together and called for strengthened, meaningful participation through the IGAD Women & Youth Advisory Board, backed by data, the Intersectionality Toolkit and strong Member State ownership. H.E. Hanna Wendot Cheptumo – Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children’s Services, Kenya commended IGAD’s leadership, noting that sustainable peace requires women’s voices in decision-making and urging Member States to strengthen National Action Plans and institutionalise women’s leadership in mediation. H. E. Hiroshi Matsuura – Ambassador of @japan to Kenya, highlighted sustained partnership with IGAD and the importance of mainstreaming gender perspectives across mediation and peace processes. H.E. Guang Cong – @OSE_HoA reaffirmed commitment to inclusive regional peace efforts and continued collaboration with IGAD to strengthen Women, Peace & Security initiatives. Mr Adama Moussa, Deputy Regional Director for @unwomenafrica Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office stressed that there is no peace without women, urging high-level endorsement, accountability for conflict-related violence and community-driven interventions grounded in gender-disaggregated evidence. #IGAD #WPS

Follow the proceedings from the IGAD Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security.

🕊️ IGAD Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security 📅 25-27 February 2026, – Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪 Day 2 of the IGAD Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security focused on a strong regional consensus on advancing gender-responsive data and accountability frameworks. Over the course of the day, the delegates: 
🔹 Agreed on next steps covering governance structures, resource mobilisation, country priorities and M&E 
🔹 Held breakout discussions on national priorities within the IGAD strategy framework 
🔹 Consolidated feedback in plenary and formally adopted the Strategy Day 2 wrapped up with a shared commitment to strengthen harmonised gender statistics as a foundation for evidence-based policy, peace, and inclusive development across the IGAD region. #IGAD #WPS

🕊️ IGAD Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security 📅 25-27 February 2026, – Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪 Day 2 of the @IGADsecretariat Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security commenced with focused engagement on advancing regional gender data systems and accountability frameworks. 📊 The morning sessions featured:
🔹 Deliberations on the continental and sub-regional context shaping gender equality and WPS commitments
🔹 Presentation of the IGAD Gender Statistics Strategy (2026–2030), outlining its vision, mission and strategic goals
🔹 Validation of Strategic Goals & Interventions by Member States Discussions continue to strengthen harmonised and reliable gender statistics to inform peace, security, and inclusive development across the IGAD region. 
#IGAD #WPS

🎥 Highlights from Day 1 of the Women, Peace & Security Technical Meeting in Nairobi as ⁦@IGADsecretariat⁩ and partners advance women’s leadership, mediation and evidence-based peacebuilding across the region.

🕊️ IGAD Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security 📅 25-27 February 2026, – Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪 Day 1 Highlights The first day concluded successfully, setting a foundation for a more structured and impactful regional mediation architecture. Engagements centred on the strategic framing of the mediation landscape in the IGAD Region, where participants engaged in: 
🔹 Presentation of the Draft IGAD Mediation Board Roadmap (vision, mission, governance & implementation phases)
🔹 Breakout sessions refining the Board’s vision, mandate, legitimacy & institutional architecture
🔹 Prioritization of thematic areas including preventive diplomacy, preventive mediation, women & youth inclusion, capacity building & partnerships
🔹 A consensus & technical validation session ensuring line-by-line approval of the consolidated draft roadmap. Day 1 reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to strengthening women’s leadership in mediation and advancing inclusive peace across the IGAD region. #IGAD #WPS #IGADGender

@nyasha_bunjira from @OSE_HoA reaffirmed that peace , like greetings; is best when inclusive, emphasising collective action and sustained collaboration. She noted that the forum will shape how peace is understood, measured and sustained, while reinforcing that women are not only participants but pillars of regional stability. @eabsiye on behalf of @unwomenafrica commended efforts to institutionalise WPS and stressed the importance of reliable gender data and governance frameworks. She highlighted that while women play critical roles in peace and security, they remain underrepresented in decision-making, underscoring the need to translate commitments into tangible results on the ground. The opening session meeting sets momentum toward ministerial endorsement and deeper partnerships to advance inclusive, evidence-based peace across the region. #IGAD #WPS

🕊️ IGAD Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security 📅 25-27 February 2026, – Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪 Opening session highlights | Mediators Advisory Board Technical Meeting Mrs. Amina Farah (@xubbifarah), Head of @igadgender in her welcome remarks underscored the value of bringing together women mediators and MS gender statisticians, is Imperative to bridge the gap between policy and practice. She emphasised that building consensus on the IGAD Mediation Advisory Board Roadmap and validating the Gender Statistics Strategy will deliver tangible, Member State–driven outcomes and strengthen evidence-based peacebuilding. Dr.Fatuma Adan (@FatumaIAdan), IGAD head of Mission to kenya on behalf of H.E. @DrWorkneh, the Executive Secretary, appreciated partners including Japan, @UN_Women and the @OSE_HoA, stressing that the establishment of the Board is strategic, not symbolic. She highlighted the need for inclusive mediation that reflects people’s voices and called for sustained women’s leadership in preventive diplomacy, stronger governance structures, and accountable, regionally led WPS implementation.

Women are central to sustainable peace, inclusive mediation and security governance across the Horn of Africa. From 25–27 Feb 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, the @IGADsecretariat Gender Department convenes the Mediators Advisory Board & High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Women, Peace & Security bringing together women mediators, technical experts and Ministers from Member States. The engagement will begin with a two-day technical meeting to build consensus on the IGAD Women Mediators Advisory Board Roadmap and validate the IGAD Gender Statistics Strategy and conclude with a one-day High-Level Ministerial Meeting to secure political endorsement and formal commitments. The meeting aims to: 🔹 Institutionalise the IGAD Women Mediators Advisory Board 🔹 Advance gender-responsive peace & security reforms 🔹 Endorse the IGAD Gender Statistics Strategy & Intersectionality Toolkit 🔹 Secure high-level political commitment through a Joint Ministerial Declaration This milestone gathering strengthens women’s leadership in mediation, promotes evidence-based decision-making and reinforces regional commitments to the Women, Peace & Security agenda. #IGADGender #WPS

IGAD Encourages Continued Somali Led Dialogue and National Cohesion Read more: igad.int/igad-encourage…