South africa I October Update
2026.11.03
LESOTHO — The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) and the Lesotho National Commission for UNESCO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at an online ceremony on 21 October 2026.
Representatives from the Commission, IWPG Global Region 6 and the Lesotho Peace Committee joined the ceremony, along with guests from Johannesburg and Korea. The partnership will promote a culture of peace through education, dialogue and community engagement.
In her congratulatory remarks, Mme Evelyn Letooane, IWPG Peace Ambassador and Representative, reflected on IWPG Lesotho’s journey and its continued efforts to advance peace across the country.
Since 2018, IWPG activities in Lesotho has worked to expand women’s participation in peacebuilding through recruitment, peace education workshops, step-by-step peace education programmes and peace lecturer training, equipping women to promote peace in their families and communities.
IWPG Lesotho has also run peace culture campaigns and youth arts activities, and with the Commission’s support has joined the International Loving-Peace Art Competition for four consecutive years. Through women-led networks, it has expanded its membership across all ten districts of Lesotho.
Mme Letooane described the MOU as a formal foundation for practical cooperation in peacebuilding, with long-term benefits for future generations.
Participants at the online MOU signing ceremony, 21 October 2026
IWPG took part in a national validation workshop hosted by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at DIRCO in Pretoria on 1 October 2026, contributing to discussions on South Africa’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) National Action Plan for 2026–2030.
The workshop brought together government and civil society stakeholders to review the draft National Action Plan and refine priorities for implementing the WPS agenda over the next five years. IWPG was represented by Rujeko Faith Van Wyk (Branch Manager of IWPG Johannesburg).
Women, Peace and Security (WPS) is a global agenda that recognises women’s role in preventing conflict, building peace and participating in decisions that affect their safety and communities.
During the consultations, IWPG contributed to discussions on the Prevention Pillar, advocating for peace education, institutional funding and adequate resourcing for civil society organisations.
IWPG plans to continue working with government and civil society partners to support the implementation of the new National Action Plan and strengthen women’s participation in peacebuilding across South Africa.
On 14 October 2026, the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Cape Town Branch joined Councillor Gerry Gordon and 35 community volunteers to clean up Pelican Heights, Lotus River and Grassy Park. Working in three teams, participants cleared designated areas to improve shared public spaces with local residents.
Councillor Gordon thanked IWPG for its participation and expressed interest in working together on future community activities. Discussions also included establishing a peace garden and using community halls for peacebuilding initiatives.
IWPG Cape Town plans to continue working with local communities to promote peace and support local initiatives.
WORKING TOGETHER, COMMUNITIES CAN CREATE CLEANER SPACES WHERE PEACE CAN GROW.
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