First Regional Seminar: "Women, Youth, Defence and Security"

For several decades, Africa has been the scene of conflicts, rebellions and terrorist acts with incalculable human and socio-economic consequences. They have a particular impact on women and young people who represent almost 75% of the population of the black continent. Often victims, accomplices and sometimes perpetrators of violence, they can in certain circumstances become key actors in dealing with it, fighting but also preventing such violent acts. The Defence and Security Force, by their mission, is responsible for the protection of civilians, but the global and multidimensional nature of current threats requires a paradigm shift for all. The importance of the full and active participation of women and youth in cooperation with the Defence and Security Force in conflict prevention and resolution and in peacebuilding and peacekeeping is becoming imperative.

It is with this in mind that the Peace and Security Centre of Competence Sub-Saharan Africa of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES PSCC) and its offices in Mali and Ivory Coast, in partnership with the Centre des Hautes Etudes de Défense et de Sécurité (CHEDS), have agreed to implement the regional project "Women, Youth, Defence and Security" which, through its inclusive and multi-actor approach, aims to provide solutions to the problems of security governance in Africa.

Thanks to the quality and relevance of the participants from Senegal, Mali and Ivory Coast, this seminar provided an opportunity for constructive and fruitful exchanges.

Among the recommendations, the following were highlighted, among others:

• The integration of the gender concept in security governance,
• Civil-military dialogue with greater involvement of women and young people,
• The construction of new synergies promoting trust between SDS, women and young people,
• Capacity building for SDFs, women and youth on missions and conflict prevention and management issues,
• The prevention of community conflicts, drug trafficking, transnational organized crime, terrorism, etc...
• Strengthening the sacred link between the Army and the Nation,
• The establishment of civil-military committees and actions,
• The feminization of the armed forces,
• Strengthening the resilience of populations.