West African Women Leaders Train in Peacebuilding and Mediation

Abuja, 22 July 2011—This week UN Women and the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) are training women leaders to strengthen their mediation capacities in peacebuilding processes to prioritize women’s specific needs. The training session, which runs from 19 to 23 July in Abuja, Nigeria, brings together 32 women from 16 West African countries and focuses on the techniques of mediation, advocacy, negotiation and the implementation of peace agreements. The training is in line with the strategic priorities of UN Women and UNOWA to increase women’s participation in conflict-resolution efforts, including conflict-related sexual violence.