Tanzania has called for greater participation of women in peace processes in the Great Lakes region, saying their meaningful involvement is essential to finding lasting solutions to security challenges, particularly in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo said women must have a stronger role in peace and security initiatives as conflicts in the region continue to expose women and girls to displacement, sexual violence and shortages of basic necessities.
Mr Kombo made the remarks at a high-level meeting on advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda in the Great Lakes region, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
He said the security situation in eastern DRC remained a concern and required greater attention to the protection and participation of women in efforts to resolve conflicts.
“Tanzania has emphasised the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and the increased participation of women in peace processes,” he said.
UN Security Council Resolution 1325, adopted in 2000, calls for greater participation of women in conflict prevention, peace negotiations, peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction, as well as stronger protection of women and girls affected by conflict.
Mr Kombo said Tanzania had taken steps to strengthen implementation of the agenda through its first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security for 2025–2029.
The plan, launched on August 19, 2025, seeks to increase women's participation and leadership in peace and security while strengthening gender-responsive protection and recovery mechanisms.
He said Tanzania would also continue supporting regional peace efforts through the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
This includes supporting the second-generation regional action plan and a gender-responsive mediation and coordination strategy aimed at strengthening women's role in peacebuilding across the region.
“Tanzania will continue working with countries in the Great Lakes region to build lasting peace and stability,” Mr Kombo said.
The meeting brought together regional and international stakeholders to discuss ways of strengthening the Women, Peace and Security agenda amid continuing security challenges in the Great Lakes region.
African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security Liberata Mulamula said women should not merely be invited to participate in peace processes but should be given the authority, resources and support needed to influence decisions.
She said women's involvement should extend to decision-making processes that shape peace and security outcomes.
The push comes as eastern DRC continues to face insecurity and displacement, with women and girls among those bearing the consequences of conflict.
For Tanzania, strengthening women's participation forms part of broader regional efforts to address conflict through dialogue, mediation and inclusive peacebuilding mechanisms.