The Stockholm Forum on Peace and Development which was co-hosted by Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs welcomed its 2021 edition on the Theme: Promoting Peace in the Age of Compound Risk. The forum was held virtually from the 4th to the 7th of May 2021. The 2021 Stockholm Forum explored innovative approaches and solutions to promoting peace in the age of compound political, social-economic, and environmental risks reinforced by Covid-19.
The Special Envoy on Women Peace and Security participated at the forum, and she shared the views and experiences of vulnerable women in Africa especially women in conflict. The SE highlighted the many effects of the pandemic on women such as violence against women and the role the pandemic continues to play in worsening the risks women face. While giving her interventions, the SE emphasized the consequences of conflict on women and its adverse effect on development. She further stressed the need for women inclusion in mediation processes at all levels as imbibing the culture of peaceful dialogue has proven time and time again to successfully tackle issues of collective security, continental development, and governance which will help navigate Africa towards a peaceful and inclusive Africa. The SE also reminded participants of the increase in conflict and its impact on the lives and livelihood of the growing population and women especially. The event brought together experts from politics, security, technology, health sectors, and peacebuilding communities, and issues of improved collective action were placed at the centre of the conversation. Participants shared lessons learned from across their organizations, sectors, countries, and from history with a particular focus on the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) as a regional platform for conflict resolution and on the challenges and opportunities that new technologies present for peacebuilding
