AU OSE‑WPS Launches Pilot Training on Monitoring Women, Peace and Security

The African Union Commission, through the Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security (OSE-WPS), has commenced the first cohort of the Basic Training Course for Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs) on Monitoring and Reporting on National Action Plans (NAPs) on Women, Peace and Security using the African Union Continental Results Framework (CRF). The five-day pilot course is being held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 21 to 25 September 2026.

The training responds to an identified capacity gap in the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. While African Union Member States have made important progress in developing policies and National Action Plans on WPS - with 37 Member States having developed NAPs to date, and 20 Member States currently reporting through the AU Continental Results Framework - challenges remain in translating commitments into consistent monitoring, evidence generation and reporting. Strengthening these capacities is essential to improving accountability and enabling the African Union to better track progress across the continent.

In her Opening remarks, delivered by Dr. Sally Wangamati H.E Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security underscored that the accomplishment of National Action Plan depends on its implementation.

"The success of a National Action Plan cannot be measured by its adoption alone; its true value is reflected in implementation-in whether commitments are resourced, whether institutions act, whether women participate meaningfully, whether protection is strengthened, and whether we are able to demonstrate results." Amb. Mulamula

She further said that it is precisely for this reason that monitoring and reporting matter so greatly to the African Union. They enable us to see where implementation is advancing, where gaps remain, and where additional political, institutional or technical attention is required. They help us move from statements of commitment to evidence of delivery.

The Office of the Special Envoy underscored that effective monitoring and reporting are essential to closing the gap between policy commitments and implementation. Strengthening national and regional capacity to generate, analyse and report WPS data will contribute to more informed decision-making, stronger accountability and better visibility of progress and remaining gaps across the continent.

Delivering her Keynote address, Lady Justice (Rtd) Effie Luhombo Owuor, African Union Panel of the Wise emphasized that WPS Agenda is about turning commitments into profound change in the lives of Women and girls.

"The Women, Peace and Security Agenda is ultimately about turning commitments into meaningful change in the lives of women and girls. Monitoring and reporting are not just technical exercises - they are matters of leadership, accountability and learning. Behind every indicator is a human story, and credible evidence helps us see where progress is being made, where gaps remain, and how we can better serve women and girls across Africa." - Lady Justice (Rtd) Effie Luhombo Owuor, African Union Panel of the Wise.

The Continental Results Framework is a key accountability and monitoring instrument of the OSE-WPS mandate. It provides a common framework for tracking progress in the implementation of the WPS agenda and supports the generation of comparable evidence on achievements, gaps and emerging priorities. The training therefore seeks to strengthen the ability of Member States and regional actors to use the CRF effectively in monitoring and reporting on their national and regional WPS commitments.

The training covers practical approaches to monitoring and reporting on NAPs, application of the CRF indicators and reporting requirements, collection and use of WPS data and evidence, and practical engagement with the CRF digital reporting platform. Participants will also have opportunities to exchange experiences, identify common reporting challenges and explore practical solutions relevant to their institutional contexts. The initiative forms part of the OSE-WPS's broader efforts to strengthen accountability, institutional capacity and evidence-based implementation of the WPS agenda across Africa. It complements ongoing engagement with Member States, RECs, RMs and civil society to improve reporting on commitments and ensure that continental frameworks are translated into measurable action at national and regional levels.

The African Union Commission will use the lessons and recommendations emerging from the pilot cohort to further improve the training package and support subsequent capacity-building initiatives. The course is expected to contribute to a more systematic, consistent and evidence-based approach to monitoring the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Africa.

For more information, Please Contact: Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security

Email: [email protected]

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: [email protected]
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