Johannesburg, 27 May 2025 – South Africa’s commitment to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda is deeply rooted in its own liberation history — a history that vividly demonstrates the pivotal role women have played in advancing peace, justice, and security in times of conflict and transition. Guided by the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, South Africa recognises that true human security is impossible without peaceful states — and that lasting peace is unattainable without the safety and inclusion of all citizens, especially women and girls.

The country’s National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security reflects this understanding and is built on four foundational pillars: Participation, Prevention, Protection, and Relief and Recovery. These pillars not only mirror South Africa’s constitutional values but also serve as instruments for transforming the peace and security landscape.

It is against this backdrop that a diverse group of civil society actors, women leaders, policymakers, and peacebuilders gathered in Johannesburg on 25–26 May 2025 for a landmark consultation to revise South Africa’s NAP. The two-day Civil Society Peace Table and NAP Consultation was convened by CSO partners: The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), South African Women in Dialogue (SAWID), Human Rights Institute of South Africa (HURISA), Lady of Peace Community Foundation (LOPECO) and the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) South Africa. Partners also included the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), UN Women- South Africa Multi Country Office and the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa. The Peace Table marked a critical step in ensuring the next generation of the plan reflects the realities on the ground and advances inclusive, sustainable peace across the country and the continent.

The event provided a platform for stakeholders to reflect on the country’s peace and security landscape, share experiences from the field, and offer strategic inputs to shape the next phase of South Africa’s NAP. The current consultation is part of a wider effort to ensure the second-generation NAP reflects a broader, more inclusive range of voices and adapts to the country’s evolving peace and security context.

The first day of the consultation coincided with Africa Day and saw a call for unity and strengthening of the peacebuilding architecture. The day opened with remarks by Professor Cheryl Hendricks, Executive Director of the IJR, who underscored the need for inclusive peacebuilding and transformative action. Facilitator Alison Lazarus led a thematic session on global and national peace and security dynamics, culminating in an Africa Day celebration.

On the second day, stakeholders convened for in-depth dialogue on the state of peace in South Africa and civil society’s role in advancing the WPS agenda. The day began with tributes to Mme Gertrude Shope, a courageous champion for justice and a prominent leader in South Africa’s fight for freedom. Her pioneering efforts paved the way for countless women peacebuilders, and the gathering committed to carrying her legacy forward. Opening remarks were then delivered by Ms Nthabiseng Malefane from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and Ms Mmabatho Makena, Secretary General of the African Women Leaders Network, South Africa Chapter.

Messages of support were shared by representatives from UN Women (Ms Catherine Chegero, Programme Specialist, WPS), DIRCO’s Mediation Support Unit (Ms Tshililo Munzhelele, Director: Mediation Support Unit) and South African Women in Dialogue (Ms Lusanda Monale, from SAWID’s Programmes and Dialogues) —all key partners in the implementation of the WPS agenda.

A key highlight was the presentation by Prof. Hendricks on the current NAP and lessons learned since its launch in 2020. She emphasised the need for South Africa’s next-generation NAP to respond to emerging challenges, including xenophobia, climate change, food insecurity, and conflict-related gender-based violence.

“The consultation for the second NAP is now much broader than the first one, which runs from 2020 to 2025.  However, the NAP is not an end in itself,” said Prof Hendricks. “It is a tool we can use to realise our goals in the WPS agenda.”

A panel chaired by Ms Corlett Letlojane, Executive Director of the Human Rights Institute of South Africa, featured women peacebuilders from a variety of sectors, whose voices highlighted real-world barriers to peace and security while proposing bold, community-based solutions.

Delegates participated in four parallel focus groups, exploring the WPS pillars of Participation, Prevention, Protection, and Relief and Recovery. Each group generated recommendations that will feed directly into the revised NAP.

South Africa’s first National Action Plan (2020–2025) was developed through collaboration between government and civil society, with the support of partners such as the Embassy of Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, and UN Women. The next steps will involve consultations with the security sector and a multi-stakeholder meeting to validate the revised NAP, ensuring it aligns with national priorities and international obligations under the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.