Women, peace and security: the National Assembly launches the AAR “Protect” Program
The National Assembly of Senegal hosted this Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the launch seminar of the AAR Program (“Protect”, in Wolof), an initiative carried out in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (FKA). Placed under the theme “For women serving peace and security in Senegal”, this meeting brought together parliamentarians, defense and security forces, institutional actors, experts and civil society around the same issue: strengthening the place and leadership of women in the peace, defense and security sectors.
In the note received by our editorial staff, we learn that the opening ceremony brought together several key figures. The Honorable Ibou Gueye, president of the Defense and Security Committee of the National Assembly, and the Honorable Mbène Faye, president of the Network of Women Parliamentarians, spoke alongside Jonathan Nowak, resident representative of the FKA in Senegal, and Thomas Rowekamp, president of the Defense and Security Commission of the German Bundestag, a sign of the dimension of international parliamentary cooperation given to this initiative.
The Women, Peace and Security Agenda at the heart of the debates
The work first took stock of the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, backed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, as well as national policies for gender integration in the defense and security sectors. Ms. Astou Diouf Gueye, Director of Equity and Gender Equality, presented an assessment combining the achievements obtained, persistent challenges and efforts undertaken by Senegal on this issue.
Female leadership in the defense and security forces in question
A highlight of the day focused on the integration of women within the Defense and Security Forces (FDS). Colonel, Dentist Khadessa Sy, Commissioner Bintou Guissé and Captain Delphine Diatta shared their views on the progress made in terms of female presence and leadership, but also on the obstacles that remain. German parliamentarian Diana Herbstreuth, member of the Bundestag, enriched the discussions with comparative insight drawn from the German experience.
“ The discussions made it possible to identify avenues of action relating in particular to strengthening consultation mechanisms, mobilizing resources and increasing the participation of women in decision-making processes in the areas of peace, defense and security. The Program will continue with a workshop scheduled for September 17, 2026, intended to deepen the recommendations resulting from this first meeting. », Informs the press release, which concludes. “ Through this seminar, the National Assembly thus reaffirms the importance of the role of women in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and strengthening security, while contributing to the parliamentary monitoring of Senegal’s commitments in the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. »
