United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) Regional Director for West and Central Africa Set to Visit Ziguinchor, Championing Women’s Leadership for Peace and Development

From 5 to 10 September 2026, UN Women Regional Director for West and Central Africa Dr. Maxime Houinato will visit Ziguinchor accompanied by UN Women Representative in Senegal Ms. Arlette Mvondo to engage with women leaders, mediators and youth across Casamance in a mission focused on strengthening women’s leadership in peacebuilding, protection and economic empowerment. The visit will include meetings with the Platform of Women for Peace in Casamance (PFPC), the launch of the Southern Network of Religious and Traditional Leaders, a handover of equipment at the Kuulimaaro Centre under the KAARANGUÉ Project and field visits to women farmers supported by the PAF/AgriFeD Project in Nyassia.

"Equality is measured by women's real power: the power to make their voices heard, to live free from violence, and to decide their own future. This is the ambition we are advancing in Casamance and across our region," Dr. Maxime Houinato said, framing the objectives of the week-long mission.

Dr. Houinato’s programme aims to translate long-standing local contributions by women into concrete decision-making roles. In Casamance, women have been active in dialogue, mediation and fostering social cohesion, but organisers stress that participation in peace processes must be matched by meaningful influence over governance and policy. During the visit, Dr. Houinato will meet women mediators and members of the PFPC to discuss progress in the peace process and barriers to women’s participation in local governance.

The mission will also spotlight protection and first-response services for survivors of gender-based violence. At the Kuulimaaro Centre, the Regional Director will preside over the handover of equipment provided through the KAARANGUÉ Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada. That initiative is designed to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls by strengthening services and offering empowerment-focused support, including access to health, justice and socio-economic reintegration services for survivors and their children.

Economic empowerment and access to technology are central themes of the visit. In Nyassia, Dr. Houinato will meet women farmers who benefit from the PAF/AgriFeD Project (Support Programme for Women in Agriculture and Sustainable Development), funded by the Government of the Balearic Islands and implemented with support from the NGO Dimbaya. The programme seeks to improve women’s access to agricultural technologies, digital tools and markets — a practical avenue to enhance agency and reduce economic barriers.

• Launch of Southern Network of Religious and Traditional Leaders to promote protection and participation of women and girls
• Handover at Kuulimaaro Centre under KAARANGUÉ Project (funded by Global Affairs Canada)
• Field engagement with women farmers supported by PAF/AgriFeD (funded by Government of the Balearic Islands; implemented with NGO Dimbaya)
• Engagement with youth and para-sports activities ahead of Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

The visit is set against demographic pressures and the urgency of protecting gains for women and girls: West and Central Africa has one of the youngest populations globally, with 64 per cent under the age of 24, while Senegal reports 75 per cent of its population under 35. Ahead of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, Dr. Houinato will engage young people in Ziguinchor and stakeholders in the sports sector, including a para-sports event to underscore inclusion of persons with disabilities and to promote opportunities for girls and young women in sport.

Officials say the combination of peace-focused dialogue, strengthened protection mechanisms and targeted economic programmes aims to convert grassroots participation into sustained influence, ensuring women not only contribute to peace but shape the decisions that sustain it.