By Zakaria Hassan - Reporter
Mogadishu | July 20, 2026 — The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has launched a new initiative in Mogadishu aimed at strengthening women's economic resilience and increasing their participation in peacebuilding and decision-making processes.
The project, Building Women's Economic Resilience for Sustainable Peace (BWERSP), is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented by IGAD as part of broader regional efforts to support inclusive peacebuilding in Somalia.
According to the project's concept note, the initiative has three main objectives: to improve women's access to land and economic opportunities, strengthen their participation in peace and decision-making processes, and enhance the knowledge and institutional capacity of organizations involved in peacebuilding and governance.
The launch workshop brought together 30 participants, including representatives from government ministries and agencies, civil society organizations, community, traditional and religious leaders, media representatives, and other stakeholders expected to contribute to the implementation of the project.
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Speaking at the launch, IGAD's Representative to Somalia, Mahmoud Karshe, said sustainable peace requires more than political agreements, stressing the importance of inclusive participation.
"As an institution, we believe that peace is not achieved merely through signed agreements. We believe peace comes from ensuring that people are united, that everyone has a meaningful role to play, and that every individual is included in the process," Karshe said.
The concept note states that women and other marginalized groups continue to face barriers to meaningful participation in peace negotiations and governance structures. The project therefore seeks to provide technical support, capacity building and strategic coordination at national and regional levels to promote greater inclusion.
According to the project framework, the initiative is expected to reinforce cooperation among public institutions, civil society and community leaders while expanding opportunities for women to contribute to Somalia's long-term peace and stability.