Regional workshop in Tanzania advances data-driven implementation of Women, Peace and Security agenda

By:  Kanto Kai Okanta

A regional capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda across the Great Lakes region has concluded in Dar es Salaam, marking the final phase of a three-part training programme under the iWPS project.

The initiative supports the rollout of the ICGLR Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (RAP II), with a focus on improving how data and evidence are translated into actionable policy decisions and measurable impact.

Held from April 27 to 29, the workshop brought together Gender Focal Points and regional stakeholders to enhance their capacity in reporting, strategic communication, and the use of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) findings. The training builds on earlier phases that addressed results monitoring and coordination, completing a structured approach to strengthening WPS implementation systems.

Participants were trained to transform data into clear, targeted reports and advocacy tools capable of informing decision-making processes and improving accountability mechanisms. Organisers emphasized that effective implementation of the WPS agenda requires not only data collection but also the ability to communicate outcomes in ways that influence policy and public engagement.

The workshop highlighted the importance of linking evidence to action, noting that monitoring systems should serve as tools for decision-making rather than purely technical exercises. It also underscored the role of strategic communication in ensuring that progress and outcomes are visible to key stakeholders across the region.

The programme further demonstrated how integrating field data, impact narratives, and targeted messaging can strengthen advocacy efforts and enhance the overall effectiveness of WPS interventions.

The training was supported by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region through its Levy Mwanawasa Regional Centre, which provided monitoring frameworks and tools, alongside contributions from GIZ Tanzania and the East African Community.

Stakeholders noted that strengthening the link between data, communication, and policy action will be critical to achieving sustainable outcomes under the WPS agenda, particularly in a region facing complex security and development challenges.