Women and Allies Peacebuilders Network (WAP) – Burundi
Background: The Women and Allies Peacebuilders Network (WAP) – Reseau des Femmes et Allies Artisans de la Paix (RAP) is an alliance of men and women working towards the strengthening of peace in Burundi. The founders are members of human rights associations working for the inclusive participation of both men and women in peacemaking and development processes, and specifically seek to ensure the real involvement of women to achieve lasting peace.
Since 2007, the network has been working under the umbrella of WOMEN PEACEMAKERS PROGRAMME, WPP/Burundi. (The WPP office in Africa was first established in Ghana.) In November of 2010, WAP was created with the aim of creating better coordination in regards to civil society initiatives related to the advocacy and monitoring of peace and security issues, specifically UNSCR 1325 and 1820.
RAP/WAP focuses on interventions in peace and security in post-conflict Burundi, necessary for lasting development. Through spreading information and awareness on UN Resolutions 1325 and 1820 on women, peace and security, the network reaches all provinces of the country, operating at all areas of national life.
Mission: The Mission of WAP is to promote the participation of all members of society, women in particular, in efforts to achieve lasting peace and development.
Objective: Promote a culture of peace and fight acts of violence under all its forms.
Specific objectives:
- Contribute to the promotion of national and international instruments of protection of human rights, particularly the rights of women;
- To contribute to the application of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 on women, peace and security;
- Work for the equality of all peoples and the protection of environment;
- To reinforce solidarity between peacebuilders to improve the impact of their actions;
- Provide a frame of observation and advice to strengthen peace through prevention and management of conflicts.
Strategy: Strengthening of capacities to promote information exchange; lobbying and advocacy; introduction of a framework for dialogue; research; promotion of a strategy to collaborate with men to ensure social equality; promotion of partnerships with other national, regional and national actors with similar objectives.
Achievements and current projects:
- Strengthening the capacity of members of the community in addressing the environment and non-violence in 2007;
- Popularization of resolutions 1325 and 1820 of CSNU on women, peace and security as well as mechanisms of their application in Burundi, in 2010;
- Participation in the GNWP in-country and global monitoring of UNSCR 1325 for the 10th anniversary of the resolution;
- Translation and distribution of data and information on the application of R1325 in the national language, Kirundi;
- Localizing UNSCR 1325 and 1825 through working to incorporating the resolutions into Communal Development Plans PCDC-in 2010;
- Setting up focal points – messengers de la R1325-across all provinces and in villages throughout the country;
Partners:
- Ministry of National Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender
- Center of the Women for Peace/Burundi
- Center of Supervision and Development of War veterans –CEDAC/Burundi
- Circle of Rights and Peace / Burundi
- Association of the Wives “Scout” Unies/Burundi
- Fountain ISOKO / Burundi
- Network of the Police Women of Burundi
- Burundaise des Elus Locaux association
- Oxfam Novib / Holland
- IFOR / Women Peacemakers Program / Low Country
- AWAniche / Ghana /
- Global Network of Women Peacebuilders / New York
Contact:
eanne Bisture; Chair woman and legal representative
Josephine Bangurambona; Secretary
Seraphine Nisabwe; Treasurer
Head Office:
Bujumbura, Rohero I; 4, Avenue des Manguie, BP.1948
Phone:+257 78 799 15; +257 79 925 926; +267 77 798 484
Email: wapnetburundi2010@yahoo.fr
