Bissau: Guinea-Bissau has taken significant steps to deepen its commitment to the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda through a capacity-building workshop led by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The workshop, held from July 22 to 24, 2025, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Family and Social Solidarity, aimed to enhance the skills of stakeholders and focal points in applying the African Union’s Continental Results Framework (CRC-UA), tailored for the West African context.
According to African Press Organization, this initiative is part of ECOWAS's ongoing efforts to bolster national accountability mechanisms and data systems, in alignment with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and related resolutions. The project is technically and financially supported by the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance Project (EPSG), co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with additional support from GIZ.
In her opening remarks, Maria Inácia Có Mendes Sanhá, Minister of Women, Family and Social Solidarity, reiterated Guinea-Bissau's dedication to gender equality and women's empowerment within peace-building processes. She highlighted the government's backing for the WPS Agenda, referencing national policies such as the National Policy for Gender Equality and Equity (PNIEG), the Parity Law, and laws against gender-based violence and human trafficking.
Representing the German government, Carsten Wille, Head of the Liaison Office of the German Embassy in Dakar and Guinea-Bissau, emphasized Germany's commitment to feminist development cooperation and inclusive peacebuilding. He expressed pride in supporting national actors via the EPSG project and noted Guinea-Bissau's commitment to strengthening its institutional response to gender aspects of peace and security.
The workshop, led by Ms. Tamwakat Elizabeth Golit and Ms. Edineusa Lopes José da Cruz Figueiredo, gathered over 35 participants from various sectors. Through interactive sessions, the workshop enhanced participants' proficiency in using the CRC tool, aiding in better monitoring of WPS indicators in accordance with national and regional frameworks.
At the workshop's conclusion, five gender assessment reports were delivered to the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Guinea-Bissau and the ECOWAS National Office. Ms. Golit summarized the main findings and provided practical recommendations for improving national coordination and policy responses. She emphasized the importance of transparency and collective ownership, noting that the reports are publicly accessible on the ECOWAS website for advocacy, research, and evidence-based decision-making.
Participants praised the workshop's timely nature and called for further training, institutionalization of the CRC in national monitoring systems, and enhanced stakeholder collaboration. They also expressed readiness to contribute to the upcoming national WPS reporting cycle using the simplified CRC tool.
The workshop concluded with a strong call to action for translating the WPS Agenda from political declarations to tangible and measurable impacts for women and girls in Guinea-Bissau and across West Africa.