Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi has called on countries in the Great Lakes Region to give women greater influence in decision-making, peace negotiations and conflict resolution, stressing that their meaningful participation is key to achieving lasting peace and sustainable development.
He made the remarks on November 2, 2026, when he officially opened the First International Conference of Women Parliamentarians of the Great Lakes Region on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam.
Ndejembi said women should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of peace initiatives but recognised as important leaders, mediators and partners in preventing and resolving conflicts.
He urged governments across the region to remove discriminatory cultural practices, gender inequality and economic barriers that continue to limit women's participation in leadership and decision-making processes.
The Vice President further emphasised that empowering women economically and socially is essential to strengthening their contribution to peacebuilding and national development.
He highlighted Tanzania's efforts to promote women's empowerment through increased access to leadership positions, education, markets, business capital and affordable loans.
Ndejembi also challenged participants to ensure that resolutions adopted during the conference translate into practical, measurable and implementable actions rather than remain declarations on paper.
President of the Great Lakes Region Parliamentary Forum and Speaker of Angola's Parliament, Adão de Almeida, stressed the importance of women's full participation in efforts to build sustainable peace.
Meanwhile, Speaker of Tanzania's Parliament and host of the conference, Mussa Azzan Zungu, called for the needs and interests of women and girls to be adequately reflected in national laws, policies and budget allocations.
The four-day conference, taking place from November 2 to 5, 2026, has brought together prominent regional and international leaders, including Democratic Republic of Congo Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka and United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region Huang Xia.
Other distinguished participants include former Pan-African Parliament President Dr Gertrude Mongella and former Speaker of Tanzania's Parliament Anne Makinda, alongside parliamentary speakers, legislators, ministers, diplomats, development partners, international organisations and civil society representatives.
Held under the theme "A Peaceful and Prosperous Great Lakes Region," the conference provides an important platform for women leaders to discuss regional security, inclusive governance and strategies for strengthening women's participation in peacebuilding.
The meeting comes at a time when greater regional cooperation and inclusive leadership remain important in addressing conflicts, strengthening stability and creating opportunities for sustainable development.
By giving women a stronger voice in decisions affecting their communities and countries, Great Lakes nations can build more inclusive institutions and advance efforts towards lasting peace and shared prosperity.