On Monday, August 18, 2025, the Alliances for Africa sensitisation team visited the amazing women of Umuokanne Community, Ohaji/Egbema LGA to sensitise them on the theme: WOMEN AS AGENTS OF PEACE.

This impactful meeting was part of preparations for the Women’s August Meeting, designed to raise awareness on the Women, Peace & Security (WPS) Agenda and educate women on the National Action Plan (NAP).

From the palace of the Traditional Leader to the open circle of community dialogue, the energy was electric.

The women engaged with passion, opening their hearts about pressing issues, security concerns, family conflicts, women’s rights, and generational struggles.

Together, we explored the 4 NAP Pillars in depth:

Prevention

Protection

Participation

Recovery

We did not just talk, we connected the dots:

Spiritually with the Bible (Numbers 27:1–10)

Legally with the Imo VAPP Law 2021

Traditionally with natural laws of humanity

Key discoveries:

The Umuokanne Women’s Association has no written bylaws, something they are now motivated to change.

Though a woman sits in the Eze’s Cabinet, yet she is excluded from key decision-making and security dialogues. That must change.

The women did not just listen, they took action. With the leadership of their Woman Leader, they committed to:

Integrating WPS into their upcoming August Meeting Agenda

Passing down these lessons to younger women

Demanding a seat at the table where decisions about their security and future are made

They also requested a follow-up session for younger women (18–40), recognizing the urgent need to redirect youthful energy toward peacebuilding.

At the end, their gratitude was overwhelming. They thanked AfA for choosing Umuokanne Community as a beneficiary of such a truly impactful and transformational initiative.

This was not just a sensitisation meeting.

It was the spark of transformation.

It was the beginning of a movement for peace, security, and inclusion.

It was women reclaiming their rightful place as agents of peace.

#WomenForPeace #WPS #NAP

#AugustMeeting2025 #AfAImpact