Breaking barriers and building bridges: Women’s cross-border trade in conflict settings within the African Continental Free Trade Area
This event focused on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the African Union focus of the year 2023. The discussion shed light on the challenges women face in cross-border trade in conflict settings, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. Providing a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration among the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), civil society organisations and women entrepreneurs, the webinar aimed to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable implementation of AfCFTA, fostering empowerment, economic stability, and peacebuilding for women in conflict-affected areas by proposing solutions to the unique challenges that they faced.
Speakers
Furaha Maroy Judith is the programmes director at Clud Zaida Catalan for Peace and Security, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She is also a human rights defender and part of the Lucha movement in South-Kivu, Congo.
Yar Manoa Majok is the representative of the business community at the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) in South Sudan. She holds a BA in business administration from Cairo University and has worked with KCB Sudan, Sudan Business Link and as a money management trainer.
Jane Seruwagi Nalunga is an expert on multilateral, bilateral, regional and national trade and investment policies and agreements. She has over 20 years’ experience in policy research, analysis and advocacy; sits on a number of national policy-making bodies; and advises government and parliament on trade, tax and investment-related matters. She holds a BA (Hons) in history and English language, a diploma in education, and an MA in African history. She is an associate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and is currently the executive director of SEATINI-Uganda.
Pauline Kahuubire (moderator) is an African feminist who believes that feminist documentation and consciousness-raising are tools for dismantling oppressive power structures and building inclusive, intersectional and peaceful societies. She is communications and advocacy coordinator at the Women’s International Peace Centre. Her work includes amplifying the voices of and increasing the visibility of structurally silenced women and girls through impactful storytelling. Pauline has worked with the Women’s Situation Room (WSR) Uganda for peaceful elections and Akina Mama wa Afrika.
