RIRA Hosts Annual Women’s Peace Event to Strengthen Women’s Leadership in Peacebuilding

RIRA Hosts Annual Women’s Peace Event to Strengthen Women’s Leadership in Peacebuilding

Fantalle District, Oromia Region,  4 July 2026

The Rift Valley Initiative for Rural Advancement (RIRA) successfully organized the Annual Women’s Peace Event under the Peaceful Understanding and Reconciliation for Pastoralist Livelihood Enhancement (PURPLE) Project, funded by Bread for the World and Diakonia Austria.

The event brought together 30 participants, including Haadha Siinqee, women leaders from district and kebele levels, members of Community Peace Committees, and local government representatives. It aimed to strengthen women’s leadership in peacebuilding, reinforce women’s peacebuilding institutions, and promote their active participation in conflict prevention, mediation, and community peace processes.

The gathering provided a platform for participants to exchange experiences, strengthen networks, and enhance their knowledge and skills in peace leadership, early warning, mediation, conflict prevention, and community dialogue. Through interactive discussions and experience sharing, participants reflected on the critical role of women in promoting peaceful coexistence and resolving local conflicts.

A key highlight of the event was the demonstration of the traditional Hirsii ritual, a women-led collective practice used to pray for peace, stability, rainfall, and overall community wellbeing. This respected indigenous practice symbolizes women’s collective call for peace through prayer, reconciliation, and unity, demonstrating the enduring role of traditional women-led peace mechanisms in preventing conflict and promoting peace.

“When women unite for peace, they strengthen families, bring communities together, and help prevent conflicts before they escalate,” said a Haadha Siinqee participant.

The event concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to promoting dialogue, strengthening collaboration, and advancing women’s leadership in building peaceful and resilient pastoralist communities.