Short Abstract

Constitutional gains such as the two-thirds gender rule have translated into real power and policy influence for women in Africa and Middle East and explores how women’s political empowerment shape equitable peaceful and sustainable development trajectories in an uncertain global context

Description

Despite significant constitutional and policy gains advancing women’s representation in governance, the translation of these achievements into substantive influence and transformative leadership remains limited. This panel anchors discussions within the Women Peace and Security (WPS) framework as provided in the UNSCR 1325 (2000) to analyze how political, structural and socio-cultural barriers constrain women’s agency in shaping policy outcomes that advance peacebuilding, equality and inclusive development. The panel seeks to explore how gendered power relations influence policy priorities and governance practices. The panel poses the questions; How can women’s leadership move beyond representational politics to embody transformative leadership that redefines development values, governance ethics and social justice? What are the innovative leadership models and mentorship networks that are enabling women to navigate and challenge patriarchal institutions? By situating women’s leadership within the broader debates on power, agency and the future of governance in Africa and the Middle East, the panel underscores the need to reimagine development as a participatory and gender-responsive process. How then would a shift from tokenistic inclusion to a systemic transformation in leadership and policy frameworks for sustainable peacebuilding and equitable development be achieved?

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