¡°The question is whether we can afford to continue excluding half of humanity from decisions that determine the future of nations. The answer, quite simply, is no,¡± Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, Special Envoy of the African Union on Women, Peace, and Security.
Why are women still missing from many peace negotiations, and what is the world losing as a result? In this candid conversation, Ambassador Liberata Mulamula reflects on the experiences that inspired her lifelong commitment to diplomacy, mediation, and peacebuilding. She argues that lasting peace cannot be achieved while women remain excluded from decision-making, examines the barriers to their participation in peace processes, and outlines a vision in which women play a vital role in shaping Africa's future.
Read the full interview.
Question: You have spent decades working in diplomacy, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding across Africa and beyond. What first drew you to mediation and peace processes, and is there a particular experience that shaped your commitment to this work?
Liberata Mulamula: My commitment to mediation and peacebuilding is rooted in both personal experience and professional conviction. I grew up in Tanzania¡¯s Kagera Region, at the crossroads of Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. The region has historically been deeply affected by conflicts. As a young person, I witnessed communities opening their homes and resources to refugees fleeing persecution in neighboring countries. Seeing families arrive with stories of loss, displacement, and resilience gave me an early understanding of the profound human consequences of war and the transformative value of peace.
Kagera itself was not insulated from conflict. The region experienced the devastating effects of the war between Tanzania and Uganda during the regime of Idi Amin (1971 to 1979). Living in an area that had known both the generosity of hosting refugees and the direct impact of armed conflict reinforced a lesson that has stayed with me: peace is not a permanent state, it must be nurtured, protected, and continually rebuilt.
My professional journey was shaped by Tanzania's tradition of Pan-African solidarity, diplomacy, and peaceful conflict resolution. Growing up in a country that supported liberation movements and facilitated regional peace efforts inspired me to pursue a career in international relations and public service.
Throughout my career, I have seen both the fragility of peace and the power of dialogue. These experiences reinforced my belief that lasting peace must be negotiated and owned by those most affected. Today, this conviction guides my work: convening governments, communities, women, youth, and other stakeholders to shape inclusive mediation processes and build lasting solutions to conflict.
Question: Women account for just 14 per cent of mediators and seven per cent of negotiators in formal peace processes worldwide. Why has progress been so slow?
Liberata Mulamula: Progress has been slow because the barriers to women¡¯s participation in peace processes are deeply structural and rooted in long-standing power dynamics. A fact is that formal negotiations continue to be dominated by political, military, and security actors who are predominantly men. Peace processes often mirror the inequalities that exist within societies, and as a result, women remain excluded from the spaces where critical decisions are made.
There is an enduring perception that women are primarily victims of conflict rather than agents of peace. Yet across Africa, women have long been the first responders to crises, the custodians of communities, and the bridge-builders who keep dialogue alive when formal processes falter. As an African proverb reminds us, ¡°When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.¡± The collective strength, wisdom, and resilience of women have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to transform societies and sustain peace.
Around the world, we are witnessing a pushback against gender equality and women¡¯s rights around the world. Hard-won gains are being questioned, and in some cases, efforts are being made to roll them back. In peace processes, women¡¯s participation is still too often treated as an afterthought rather than a strategic necessity.
Ultimately, the question is no longer whether women should participate in peace processes. That debate has been settled. The question is whether we can afford to continue excluding half of humanity from decisions that determine the future of nations. The answer, quite simply, is no. Peace that excludes women is peace built on an incomplete foundation.
Question: As the African Union's Special Envoy for Women, Peace, and Security, you are working to advance women's meaningful participation in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict recovery. Where do you see the greatest opportunities to advance the Women, Peace, and Security agenda in Africa?
Liberata Mulamula: Africa has one of the strongest normative and policy frameworks on gender equality and women's leadership in the world. From the (https://au.int/en/treaties/protocol-african-charter-human-and-peoples-rights-rights-women-africa) to the Continental Results Framework on Women, Peace, and Security (/shestandsforpeace/content/continental-result-framwork-monitoring-and-reporting-implementation-women-peace-and-security) and the recently adopted (https://au.int/en/aucevawg), we have established a solid foundation. Now, the task before us is to transform these commitments into tangible change in the lives of women and girls across the continent.
A second opportunity lies in recognizing and supporting the extraordinary work of women-led organizations at the grassroots level. Across Africa, women are mediating local disputes, rebuilding trust among divided communities, supporting survivors of violence, and creating pathways for recovery and resilience. These women are not waiting for peace to arrive; they are building it every day. We must ensure that they have the resources, visibility, and institutional support necessary to scale their impact.
Third, we must ensure that women are at the forefront of post-conflict recovery, governance, and reconstruction efforts. Peace agreements alone do not create peace. Sustainable peace is built through inclusive institutions, economic opportunity, access to justice, and social cohesion. Women must therefore be active architects of recovery and development, shaping the policies and investments that will determine the future of their societies.
I am particularly excited by the opportunities presented by Africa's youth. Our continent is the youngest in the world, and young women are emerging as powerful voices for peace, innovation, and social transformation. If we invest in their leadership today, we will cultivate a generation capable of preventing conflicts, challenging harmful norms, and driving inclusive development for decades to come.
My vision is of an Africa where women are not merely participants in peace processes but leaders of peace processes; where their voices shape policy, their expertise informs mediation, and their leadership drives recovery and resilience. The Women, Peace and Security agenda is not simply about advancing women's rights¡ªit is about transforming how we prevent conflict, build peace, and secure a more prosperous future for all Africans.
Question: Based on your experience, what qualities or skills do women often bring to mediation and peacebuilding efforts that can help build lasting peace?
Liberata Mulamula: It is important to recognize that effective mediation is not determined by gender alone. Successful mediators are distinguished by their competence, credibility, strategic thinking, patience, and leadership. However, through decades of observing and participating in peace processes across Africa and beyond, I have seen that women often bring distinctive perspectives and approaches that can significantly enrich mediation and peacebuilding efforts.
Because women are often deeply rooted in their communities, they also bring a grounded understanding of how conflict affects everyday lives. While formal negotiations may focus on political arrangements and security concerns, women frequently highlight issues that are essential to sustaining peace: protection of civilians, access to education and healthcare, livelihoods, social cohesion, justice, and the wellbeing of families and communities. In doing so, they help ensure that peace agreements are not only politically viable but also socially meaningful and responsive to the needs of those most affected by conflict.
Women also have a remarkable capacity to bridge divides. Across the continent, we have seen women transcend political affiliations, ethnic identities, religious differences, and geographical boundaries in pursuit of a common goal: peace. There is an African proverb that says, "When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot harm you." Women peacebuilders often excel at fostering this spirit of unity, helping communities heal wounds, rebuild trust, and move beyond the divisions that fuel conflict.
Perhaps most importantly, women tend to bring a long-term perspective to peacebuilding. While others may focus on ending violence in the immediate term, women frequently advocate for the conditions that make peace sustainable: reconciliation, inclusion, justice, healing, and resilience. They understand that peace is not merely the absence of war; it is the presence of dignity, opportunity, and social harmony.
Question: What advice would you give young women who aspire to play a role in mediation, diplomacy, and peacebuilding?
Liberata Mulamula: My first advice is to believe that your voice matters and that leadership is not determined by age, position, or background. The field of peacebuilding needs the energy, ideas, and perspectives of young women.
Second, invest in your education and continuously build your skills. Mediation, diplomacy, and peacebuilding require knowledge of international relations, political processes, negotiation techniques, communication, and cultural understanding. Be curious, keep learning, and seek opportunities for practical experience.
Third, find mentors and networks that can support your journey. No one succeeds alone. Learning from experienced practitioners can help you navigate challenges and open doors to opportunities.
Finally, remain resilient and principled. Peacebuilding is often demanding work that requires patience and persistence. There will be setbacks, but lasting change is achieved through determination, integrity, and a commitment to serving others. Africa needs a new generation of women leaders who are prepared to shape the future of peace, security, and development on our continent and beyond.