HE Mr. Mohamed Ali Nafti, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, of Tunisia,
Ladies and Gentlemen Members of the Government,
Excellencies, Former Women Heads of State,
Distinguished Women Leaders,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues and Partners,

I bring you warm greetings and sincere appreciation for your commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

Allow me to begin by expressing profound gratitude to the Government and the people of the Republic of Tunisia for hosting this important Forum and for their continued leadership in advancing governance, women’s rights, and peace and security on our continent.

I wish to specially acknowledge the presence of H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and H.E. Joyce Banda, former President of the Republic of Malawi. Your leadership continues to inspire women and men across Africa, and your presence today underscores the essential role of women at the highest levels of decision-making.

Excellencies,

We meet at a defining moment for our continent. Africa continues to navigate political transitions, violent extremism, climate challenges, and persistent threats to peace. Yet, even amid these pressures, African women continue to demonstrate remarkable courage and leadership.

I pay tribute to the women of Sudan, standing firm amid conflict; the women of the Great Lakes region, persevering in protracted crises; and the women of the Sahel, who sustain communities despite insecurity and displacement. Their resilience reminds us that women are central pillars of peace and stability.

We also gather at a time when the world is observing the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign that calls on all of us to intensify efforts to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. The 16 Days remind us that ending gender-based violence is not a seasonal commitment; it is a daily responsibility and an essential foundation for peace, justice, and human dignity. As Africa advances the implementation of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (CEVAWG), this moment provides an important opportunity to renew advocacy, mobilize resources, and strengthen accountability.

This year has also seen a historic development at the global level. Under South Africa’s leadership, the G20 declared violence against women and girls a global disaster, elevating the issue to unprecedented political urgency. This bold step reinforces Africa’s leadership in shaping global norms and aligns directly with our continental priorities, particularly CEVAWG. It sends a clear message: violence against women is not inevitable it is an emergency that demands decisive and coordinated action.

This moment also coincides with the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Africa continues to lead in advancing this global agenda through a strong normative framework: the Maputo Protocol, the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa, the GEWE Strategy, FemWise-Africa, the African Women Leaders Network, and the newly adopted CEVAWG. These instruments reflect our collective determination to place women at the heart of peace, security, and governance.

Yet urgent work remains. The full ratification and implementation of CEVAWG must be accelerated. I call on all Member States that have not yet ratified this landmark Convention to do so without delay. CEVAWG is not only a legal obligation; it is a political and m
moral imperative to ensure protection, accountability, and justice for women and girls across the continent.

I also wish to recognize the vital role of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security. I commend the former Envoy for her dedicated leadership, and I warmly welcome the new Special Envoy, whose diplomatic experience will be essential in advancing Africa’s WPS priorities. I wish to reaffirm the full commitment of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission to the progress of this agenda, and to working closely with Member States, Regional Economic Communities, civil society, and partners to ensure that our collective commitments deliver meaningful and measurable impact for women and girls.

Africa has indeed made significant progress 37 National Action Plans, strengthened mediation networks such as FemWise-Africa, and dynamic solidarity platforms like the African women leaders Network ( AWLN) Yet challenges persist. Conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence remains widespread, and political and financial commitments must rise to meet the scale of our ambitions. Women’s participation in peace and security is not a procedural matter; it is a question of legitimacy, justice, and sustainable peace.

As we look ahead, our collective priorities must focus on accountability, financing, and women’s leadership. The 16 Days of Activism, the G20 declaration, and the adoption of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (CEVAWG) together provide powerful momentum. We must translate this momentum into concrete action that strengthens protection systems, deepens women’s participation in decision-making, and ensures that peace and security processes across Africa are truly inclusive.

I commend Tunisia, the Office of the Special Envoy, and all partners for convening this Forum at such a strategic moment. As we reflect on 25 years of UNSCR 1325, let us commit to making this year a turning point toward a continent where women’s rights are protected, where women’s leadership is valued, and where peace is sustainable because it is inclusive.