YOWPSUD Joins Regional Stakeholders in the Launch of IGAD ICEPCVE Strategic Plan, Reinforcing Women’s Leadership in PCVE

yowpsudorg
7 hours ago
2 min read

Today, the launch of the updated IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (ICEPCVE) Strategic Plan marked a defining moment for regional peace and security efforts, bringing together governments, civil society, practitioners and partners committed to strengthening prevention approaches across the Horn and Eastern Africa.

Among the actors present at this important milestone was Youth and Women for Peace and Sustainable Development (YOWPSUD), whose participation reflected the growing recognition of grassroots actors, particularly women and youth-led organizations, in shaping effective and sustainable PCVE responses.

The launch of the strategy signals a renewed regional commitment to prevention, resilience and inclusive peacebuilding. For the PCVE agenda, it reinforces the shift from security-heavy responses toward community-driven approaches that address the root causes of violent extremism through governance, social cohesion, inclusion and local leadership.

For YOWPSUD, the launch resonated strongly with ongoing efforts to strengthen women’s meaningful participation in peace and security through the Mwanamke Imara Project, an initiative advancing women’s leadership in security and justice spaces, particularly in preventing and countering violent extremism.

Through Mwanamke Imara, YOWPSUD has been working to amplify the role of women not only as contributors to peacebuilding, but as decision-makers, mediators and leaders within PCVE processes. From mentorship engagements with women in the security and justice sectors, to dialogues that promote gender-responsive approaches to prevention, the initiative reflects many of the priorities elevated within the new regional strategy.

YOWPSUD’s participation in the launch underscored the importance of ensuring regional strategies are informed by local realities and grounded in community-led solutions. It also highlighted how women’s leadership is central, not peripheral, to sustainable peace and security.

The updated ICEPCVE Strategic Plan places emphasis on inclusive and whole-of-society approaches, recognizing youth, women and civil society as key partners in building resilience. This aligns closely with YOWPSUD’s work to strengthen women’s agency in PCVE, challenge barriers to participation and promote more responsive security and justice systems.

Through Mwanamke Imara, YOWPSUD has demonstrated that investing in women’s leadership strengthens early prevention, community trust and long-term peace outcomes. These efforts contribute directly to a broader regional vision where prevention is people-centered and peacebuilding is inclusive.

Today’s launch therefore was not only the unveiling of a strategic framework, but also an affirmation of the work being done by local actors advancing this agenda on the ground.

As the region moves to operationalize the new strategy, YOWPSUD remains committed to supporting its vision through continued advocacy, partnerships and programming that strengthen women’s leadership in security, justice and PCVE.

The launch reaffirmed a critical message: sustainable prevention is strongest when women lead, communities shape solutions, and regional strategies connect meaningfully with grassroots action.

Download the Strategy below >>>