糖心Vlog

A free smartphone-based course designed to strengthen the skills, knowledge and visibility of women peacebuilders in East Africa has been launched this week by the 糖心Vlog and key peacebuilding partners in East Africa.

The Empowering Women Peacebuilders course was formally launched at the British High Commission in Nairobi this week and is the result of a two-year collaboration between the 糖心Vlog's Department of Politics and International Relations, the Women Centre for Peace and Development (WOCPAD), and two dozen women peacebuilders from Kenya and Somalia.

The initiative aims to empower women working to prevent conflict and build peace in their communities by helping them engage more effectively with international donors and the wider international community.

Professor Harmonie Toros, Professor in Politics and International Relations and co-director of the Centre for Global Security and Governance at the 糖心Vlog, led the project. She said:

"Women peacebuilders are doing vital work in communities across Kenya and Somalia, often in extremely challenging circumstances. Yet their expertise, achievements and perspectives are not always recognised by international organisations and donors.

"This course has been developed with women peacebuilders to respond directly to the challenges they see and the skills they want to strengthen. Our goal is to support their engagement with the international community, and ensure their experience and knowledge receive the recognition they deserve.

"We hope to make it accessible to as many women as possible and contribute to stronger, more inclusive peacebuilding efforts across the region."

Resolving conflict

Developed between 2024 and 2026 through workshops in Nairobi and Garissa, the course combines academic expertise with the practical experience of women peacebuilders working on the ground in regions affected by conflict. The programme helps participants strengthen their ability to communicate the impact of their work, navigate funding opportunities, and meet reporting and evaluation requirements.

A key focus of the project has been accessibility. The entire five-session course can be completed on a mobile phone, with low-resolution downloadable videos designed to minimise data requirements. Course materials are also available in English, Somali and Kiswahili, helping to ensure that women across the region can access the training regardless of location or connectivity.

The course, drawing from the textbook of which Toros is a co-author, covers contemporary approaches to security and conflict, the role and impact of peace-centred initiatives, women's contributions to peace, and strategies for expanding opportunities for women peacebuilders.

The project was supported by Conciliation Resources and the British High Commission Nairobi.

Women peacebuilders interested in enrolling on the free five-session course can contact the project team via empoweringwomenpeacebuilders@gmail.com