Women Defending Democracy (WODD) is a voluntary organization comprising Women Democracy Defenders from the Great Lakes region and diaspora. We advocate for inclusive democratic processes, peace, and security.
Our history:
Women Defending Democracy was founded in 2023 by a group of women from the Great Lakes region and diaspora who recognized the critical role of women in promoting and maintaining peace and security. They saw the need for a platform for strategic advocacy for the implementation of diverse commitments made by governments and state parties of African Union and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region on Women, Peace, and Security.
Our Work:
We support the implementation of policies and commitments on women’s participation in peace processes through strategic advocacy. We also strengthen capacities for women in mediation, negotiation, conflict resolution, and peace processes to ensure their meaningful participation and promote the inclusion of women-specific issues in conflict prevention, mediation, and peace processes.
Our Membership:
Our membership consists of Women Democracy Defenders who express interest, are accredited by the Board of Directors, and upon payment of a pre-determined membership fee. We also recognize associate members and honorary members
Our Objectives:
To support the implementation of policies and commitments on women’s participation in peace processes through strategic advocacy.
To strengthen capacities for women in Track 1,2, and 3 mediation to ensure the meaningful participation of women at all levels in peace processes and promote the inclusion of women-specific issues in conflict prevention, mediation, and peace processes.
To support institutional development, including resource mobilization, human resources, governance systems, maintaining a robust monitoring, evaluation, accountability learning system, and ensuring sustainability.
To establish partnerships with like-minded national, regional, and international institutions, networks and academia, private sector, and media on advocacy, research, and knowledge exchange.
Our mission is to empower women to participate meaningfully in democratic processes through strategic advocacy, capacity strengthening, institutional development, and partnerships in the implementation of commitments made on peace, security, and development.
Our vision is a transformed society where democracy is inclusive, and women's voices are heard and valued.