FECCLAHA

13/07/2026

While women have long played critical roles in mediation, reconciliation, and community dialogue, participants reflected on the need to move beyond responding to conflict and towards influencing the policies and institutions that shape peace...

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As conflicts across the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa become increasingly complex, one reality continues to emerge, sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the meaningful participation of women. This conviction was at the heart of the Regional Faith Women Mediation Network (REFWOMEN) Annual Fo...

09/07/2026

From Conversation to Influence: REFWOMEN Annual Forum concludes with a Renewed Call to Action

The Regional Faith Women Mediation Network (REFWOMEN) Annual Forum has come to a close, leaving participants with renewed purpose, stronger networks, and practical tools to influence peace and security processes across the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa.

Over the past three days, women of faith reflected on the evolving peace and security contexts across the region, strengthened their advocacy and policy engagement skills, explored practical mediation strategies through role-playing, and shared experiences from their respective countries. Together, they reaffirmed that women are not only responders to conflict but key architects of sustainable peace.

As we come to a close, a key highlight today was the engagement with Ambassador Raychelle Omamo, who shared her perspective on navigating policy spaces and encouraged participants to engage confidently, strategically, and consistently with decision-makers. Her reflections reinforced the importance of preparation, credibility, and persistence in influencing policies that shape communities and the continent.

As participants return to their countries, they do so with a shared commitment to be the hummingbirds they reflected on at the beginning of the forum, to do the best they can, wherever they are, in advancing dialogue, mediation, advocacy, and lasting peace.

Together, we continue building a future where women of faith are not only present in peace processes but are shaping the decisions that sustain them.

09/07/2026

A reminder to join us tomorrow at 11:00AM (East Africa Time) for Regional Prayers.

Kindly share with friends, colleagues, and join us as we take a moment to pray for our region.

The zoom link - https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/fw6mIVKHRCqDrBiwDAJhCA #/registration

We invite you to join us next Friday (10th July 2026) for regional ecumenical prayers.

Time: 10:00 AM (CAT) || 11:00 AM (EAT)

We will be praying for , , and

Kindly register for the same via the link - https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/fw6mIVKHRCqDrBiwDAJhCA #/registration

Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) | Norwegian Church Aid Advocacy Programme Africa | South Sudan Council of Churches | All Africa Conference of Churches | National Council of Churches of Kenya - NCCK | Uganda Joint Christian Council | The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus

08/07/2026

From the Training Room to the Negotiation Table...

Effective advocacy is about more than having the right message, it is also about how that message is delivered.

At the REFWOMEN Annual Forum, participants took part in practical role-playing exercises designed to strengthen their advocacy and campaign skills. Through simulated high-level engagements, women stepped into the roles of advocates, mediators, and decision-makers, learning how to communicate strategically, frame compelling messages, navigate difficult conversations, and build trust while influencing policy.

The sessions provided a safe space to practice the art of mediation and advocacy, equipping women of faith with practical skills to engage leaders confidently, amplify community voices, and advance peace at the community, national, and regional levels.

Effective peacebuilding begins not only with having a seat at the table, but with knowing how to use your voice when you get there.

08/07/2026

Building on Shared Experiences

Day 2 of the Regional Faith Women Mediation Network (REFWOMEN) Annual Forum begins with renewed energy following a rich first day of learning, reflection, and dialogue.

Yesterday, women of faith from across the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa shared updates on the peace and security contexts in their respective countries, explored the evolving regional landscape, and reflected on the growing role of REFWOMEN in advancing peace through policy engagement.

Perhaps most inspiring was the spirit of solidarity in the room. Women encouraged one another, exchanged experiences from their unique contexts, and reaffirmed that while our challenges may differ, our commitment to building peaceful, just, and resilient communities remains shared.

Today, the conversations continue as participants deepen their practical skills and explore new pathways for influencing peace and security processes at the community, national, and regional levels.

Norwegian Church Aid Advocacy Programme Africa | National Council of Churches of Kenya - NCCK | International Center for Peace, Human Rights and Development-IPHRD Africa | African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD)

07/07/2026

Walking the Journey Together

Strong partnerships continue to strengthen the work of women of faith across the region.

Addressing the REFWOMEN Annual Forum, Ms. Marisha Ramdeen, representing African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), reflected on ACCORD's journey with REFWOMEN, noting that the organization has walked alongside the network since its inception.

She reaffirmed ACCORD's commitment to supporting women who are already leading mediation, dialogue, and peacebuilding efforts within their communities, emphasizing that the partnership is about strengthening the incredible work they are already doing.

Together, we continue building a stronger network of women leading peace across the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa.

07/07/2026

Women Are the Foundation of Lasting Peace

Welcoming delegates to the Regional Faith Women Mediation Network (REFWOMEN) Annual Forum, Pastor Sussie Ndanyi, Deputy General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Kenya - NCCK, reminded participants that women remain central to building lasting peace across the region.

She described the gathering as a powerful testimony of women committed to the vision of a peaceful and prosperous Africa, noting that women continue to lead through dialogue, bring healing to divided communities, and inspire hope where it is needed most.

"Women are at the centre of the foundation for lasting peace."

As the forum continues, REFWOMEN is strengthening the capacity of women of faith to influence peace and security processes at the community, national, and regional levels.

07/07/2026

From Community Leadership to Policy Influence

The REFWOMEN Annual Forum comes at a defining moment for women of faith in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa.

Welcoming participants, Jeannette Uwizeye, Executive Director of FECCLAHA, noted that the forum is especially timely, coming just weeks after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between REFWOMEN, under FECCLAHA, and the African Union. She emphasized that the partnership opens new opportunities for women of faith to engage more meaningfully in policy and peace processes at the community, national, and regional levels.

She encouraged participants to make the most of the forum, expressing her hope that they leave better equipped to influence policies, strengthen peacebuilding efforts, and continue transforming their communities.

"This is your moment to grow, connect, and shape the future of peace in our region."

07/07/2026

REFWOMEN Annual Forum commences today in Nairobi, Kenya.

"I will be a hummingbird. I will do the best I can."

Those simple words set the tone as the Regional Faith Women Mediation Network (REFWOMEN) Annual Forum officially opened today in Nairobi, Kenya.

Inspired by the story of the hummingbird, participants were reminded that lasting peace is built through individual acts of courage, commitment, and service. No contribution is too small when it is made with purpose.

Convened by FECCLAHA in partnership with Norwegian Church Aid Advocacy Programme Africa(NAPA) and African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), this year's forum brings together women of faith from across the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa under the theme, "The Role of REFWOMEN in Policy Engagement: Practical Skills and Entry Points at the National and Regional Level."

Over the next three days, participants will deepen their understanding of policy engagement, strengthen practical advocacy skills, and explore how faith women can more effectively influence peace and security processes at the community, national, and regional levels.

For years, REFWOMEN has accompanied women who have quietly led mediation, dialogue, reconciliation, and peacebuilding in their communities. This forum builds on that journey by equipping them not only to respond to conflict, but also to help shape the policies that prevent it.

As the hummingbird reminds us, "Wherever we are, we will do the best we can."

Together, those small acts of courage become a powerful force for sustainable peace.

06/07/2026