The sixth African High-Level Forum on Women, Peace, and Security commenced in Tunis this week, bringing together senior government representatives, civil society leaders, and international partners to deliberate on strategies that reinforce women’s roles in peacebuilding across the continent. Convened under the auspices of the African Union (AU) and hosted for the first time outside its headquarters in Addis Ababa, the forum represents a pivotal moment in advancing Africa’s gender, peace, and security agenda through inclusive and coordinated regional engagement.
In his address during the opening session, Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing the complex challenges confronting African societies. His remarks echoed a growing consensus that the region’s stability and sustainable development hinge on collective action that transcends borders. “The global context today demands greater solidarity and coordination among nations,” Nafti said, emphasising that achieving peace requires the active inclusion of women and a commitment to tackling the underlying causes of instability.
The Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the event as a platform for dialogue and policy alignment, enabling states and organisations to deepen their collaboration in advancing the goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. The forum’s deliberations are expected to focus on structural issues such as inequality, poverty, and exclusion, which continue to undermine peace and hinder women’s full participation in governance and conflict resolution.
Representatives from AU member states, regional bodies, and international organisations—including the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB)—participated in the discussions. Civil society groups and grassroots women’s organisations also played an active role, reflecting the growing recognition that sustainable peace must be anchored in community-driven processes that integrate women’s experiences and leadership.
Tunisia’s hosting of the forum signifies its deepening engagement with continental initiatives that promote social equity and conflict prevention. The country’s participation in various AU-led peacebuilding efforts, including mediation and post-conflict recovery programmes, positions it as an emerging advocate for inclusive governance in North Africa and beyond.
Observers note that this year’s forum comes at a time of renewed urgency. Across Africa, women continue to be disproportionately affected by conflict, displacement, and economic marginalisation, yet they remain at the forefront of peace movements and local reconciliation initiatives. From the Sahel to the Horn of Africa, women’s networks have been instrumental in rebuilding trust and fostering dialogue between communities. Despite this, many of their contributions remain under-recognised in formal policymaking circles.
The Tunis gathering seeks to shift that narrative by promoting frameworks that institutionalise women’s participation in peace processes. Delegates are expected to examine strategies for strengthening implementation mechanisms within national and regional policies and for enhancing resource allocation to gender-focused peacebuilding programmes.
Analysts also highlight the symbolic significance of the forum’s relocation from Addis Ababa to Tunis, interpreting it as a step toward decentralising the African Union’s dialogue spaces and ensuring broader regional ownership of the women, peace, and security agenda. By diversifying the venues and voices involved, the AU hopes to foster a more inclusive discourse that resonates across Africa’s diverse political and cultural landscapes.
The outcomes of the two-day meeting are anticipated to feed into continental policy frameworks that shape the African Union’s next phase of action on gender equality and peacebuilding. As discussions continue, participants are calling for renewed commitment to preventive diplomacy, socio-economic empowerment, and inclusive governance as cornerstones of enduring peace.
