Background

Women play key role in the promotion of peace and security in Africa. The African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) have in the past joined hands in documenting and sharing the lived experiences of African women and women networks who have made outstanding contributions in promotion of peace and security on the continent. In February 2020, the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) and the African Union Commission (AUC) jointly published a commemorative book, titled ‘She Stands for Peace’, in commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of UNSCR1325. The second edition of the She Stands for Peace e-book has also been published in September 2022.

Both publications have amplified the voices of women with regards to their concerns and lived experiences in peace-building efforts.

The African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) would like to publish the 3^rd edition of the “She Stands for Peace” Book with an aim to continue to amplify the voices of women and women networks who have made outstanding contribution in the promotion of peace and security in Africa.

The objectives of the book are among others.

• Recognize the contributions made by women and women’s organizations in peacebuilding efforts across the continent,

• Document the stories of lived experiences, where possible, illuminate women’s struggles with building sustainable peace, at the different stages in the peacebuilding process,

• Share forward-looking strategies for the implementation of UNSCR 1325, post-2020 based on lived experiences in peacebuilding to inform on-going work in implementing the WPS Agenda in Africa. In so doing,

• Mobilize stakeholders to create an enabling environment and support the participation of women in peacebuilding efforts, in accordance to the UNSCR 1325

Eligibility for nomination

• Individuals or women’s organizations can be nominated.

• Self-nomination is welcomed.

• Nominees must be female citizens of African Union Member States.

• There is no age limit, the book will document the achievements of young and seasoned leaders across generations.

Criteria for Nomination

Nominees who have made impactful contributions in any of the following areas can be considered for nomination.

• Actively participated in peace processes and/or in decision-making related to peace and security or having facilitated other women’s participation in such processes.

• Made significant contributions towards the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence and/or towards promoting gender awareness in conflict prevention and early warning.

• Significantly improved women and girls’ safety, physical and mental health, economic security, and overall well-being, and/or the rights of women and girls and their legal protections.

• Played a significant role on relief and recovery efforts and having incorporated gender perspectives in such efforts.

• Engaged others in actively promoting a cause related to the women, peace, and security agenda.

• Acted as an agent of change, demonstrating dedication, commitment and passion to their cause and having led by example.

• Played any other significant role in promoting peace and security at the community, national, regional and/or continental level.

Nomination Deadline

NominThe nomination will be open till 31st August 2023 (23:59 GMT). Due to the expected large number of applications, only successful nominees will be contacted after the selection process is finalized.

Nomination submissions

• Before you submit your nomination, please read the nomination criteria carefully.

• Nominations must be submitted by downloading the form, filling, and emailing a completed form.

• Nominations should be accurate, comprehensive, and complete to inform the evaluation of the nomination.

• Nomination of African women and women organizations working tirelessly at grassroots level is encouraged.

• Nominations of African women and women organizations working in rural areas, with refugees, displacement as well as, women living with disabilities are encouraged.

• Nominations will be adjudicated with consideration for geographic balance to ensure fair representation of all regions of Africa.
• Self-nomination is allowed.
• Nominations can be submitted in English, Arabic, Portuguese, and French.