Officials from the Women Youth Peace and Security Institute (WYPSI) of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) paid a courtesy call on Ghana’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Her Excellency Christine Churcher.
The team, which is conducting a training program on the prevention of Gender-Based Violence in Benin for local actors from Civil Society Organisations, NGOs, legal practitioners, the media, traditional leaders, and religious institutions, said the visit aimed to strengthen partnerships with Ghana’s missions abroad regarding the Centre’s activities.
The training is run with support from the Swedish Development Agency (SIDA) aimed to equip the actors with the knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to GBV, while also raising awareness within local communities and among leaders to combat GBV.
It explored the existing legal frameworks, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (DEVAW), while highlighting the critical role of local actors in promoting a culture of peace, equality, and respect for all.
WYPSI’s Director, Patience Agyare-Kwabi briefed the Ambassador on the importance of building capacity for local actors who facilitate the resolution of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Ambassador Churcher, a former Ghanaian Minister of Education and a key figure in gender policy and advocacy, expressed appreciation for the KAIPTC team’s visit.
She commended the Centre’s continued advocacy on gender, peace, and conflict, highlighting its ongoing impact within the African Peace Architecture. She committed to supporting the Centre in any way she could, particularly on gender issues.