WEMP hosts Peace Room in Gauteng
The Women’s Election Mechanism for Peace (WEMP) is a conflict prevention initiative that aims to increase women’s participation in Peace processes and credible peaceful elections in SA
Sithembile Moyo
Women Election Mechanism for Peace Gauteng Province (WEMP) gathered at an event held at Holiday Inn Johannesburg from May 27th to 30th 2024 where they were hosting the Peace Room for Gauteng Province. The initiative was kick-started in 2001 during local government elections and operated in 3 Provinces and are now active in 5 Provinces, namely; Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, KwaZulu Natal, and the Western Cape.
Peace Room is an activity that works on Women’s Peace Mechanism. It receives incident reports that peace monitors on the ground have been uploaded on the Popular app and collaborating with The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA).
About 300 women were trained by Corlette, IJR and EISA in April 2024, and for each Province 50 women were trained as Peace Monitors, and consequently received IEC accreditation for their mandate at voting stations and observing.
Those Monitors who were trained in April 2024 about conflict resolutions, and peacebuilding were also part of the IEC’s providing voter education and further activities pertaining to the elections and objective role playing furthermore monitoring incidents and eventualities during elections. Different stakeholders and institutions delegates including private sector companies, attended and observed the training activities.
“Pre and Post-election events can be very challenging, and looking at reports of the Pre-elections where there were many court cases, threats of violence, and alleged loss of lives that take place, present with them a violent hostile environment,” mentioned Corlette Mputshane
(WEMP) is a National Organization comprising of a number of organizations which are active all over the country.
The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) is the lead driver of the WEMP based in Cape Town. WEMP is an outcome of the national action blend where women said they wanted to build peace around elections ensuring that women are safe, and that women must participate at all costs. Women that should be in charge on the ground.
‘’Focusing on mental wellness its centering yourself and knowing how to take care of yourself. We have found out that part of this violence leaves with it unresolved matters.’’ Mentioned Thoko Mpumulwana
Post-election monitoring of all the activities during the election period and post elections in June will be monitored by the group, including activities taking place on the ground, such as engaging peace envoys, coordinating IEC conflicts.
The resolutions of institutions such as the South Africa Human Rights Commission, Gender Commission maintain that there is a need to insuring that these policies emerge as promoting the work of (WEMP) and sharing of ideas.
