Strengthened women’s meaningful participation in conflict prevention in Palabek Refugee settlement and host communities in Lamwo District.
WORUDET with funding from WPHF and technical support from UN Women implemented a two-year project from January 2021 to January 2023 in Palabek Refugee Settlement and host community of Palabek Gem and Ogili.
The project strengthens women’s voice, leadership and representation in programming, governance and public decision-making in the settlement. Existing and new community women’s groups will be strengthened to identify and overcome barriers to women’s participation, decision- making, and leadership in the humanitarian response aiming at an increase in refugee women being elected in the 2021 RWC elections.
Overall, there is an increased in leadership and representation of women in the settlement following a psychosocial support session WORUDET delivered to 72 women aspiring for leadership positions. The session sought to enhance their public speaking skills and teach the women how to run a successful election campaigns. Out of the 72 women participating in the session, 32 were elected in various leadership positions such as zone leader, block leader, and direct councilors– positions that are open for competition between men and women– and others were elected as women leaders and female councilors. These women leaders are not just occupying the positions but are actively influencing decisions on affairs that affect women and children.
Over 700 leaders from both the Refugee and host community are actively identifying and responding to conflict issues within the settlement and host communities, having undergone conflict prevention and gender-sensitive training on early warning signs and response to conflict.
The leaders use available platforms like community dialogues, women caucus meetings, and review meetings to sensitize the community on issues bringing conflict and also respond to some of the issues raised by the community members.
