The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) has commemorated the first-ever International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament in Ghana with a high-level national seminar themed, “Women and Girls as Agents of Peace and Disarmament: From Awareness to Action for a Peaceful and Gun-Violence-Free Ghana.”
The event brought together government officials, traditional authorities, security agencies, students, civil society organizations, women leaders, development partners and media practitioners to deepen dialogue on women’s participation in peacebuilding, violence prevention and disarmament initiatives across the country.
Held as part of global efforts to promote the Women, Peace and Security agenda under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, the seminar highlighted the important role women and girls continue to play in fostering peace, social cohesion and community safety.
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Addressing participants, officials of NACSA stressed that women remain central to efforts aimed at preventing armed violence and promoting sustainable peace within communities.
According to the organisers, the seminar served not only as a platform for reflection but also as a call to action for stronger collaboration between state institutions, civil society and local communities in tackling the growing threat of gun violence.
“Women and girls are not just victims of conflict and violence; they are active agents of peace, reconciliation and community transformation,” a representative of NACSA stated during the engagement.
The representative further noted that empowering women to participate in peace and security processes was critical to achieving lasting peace in Ghana and across the sub-region.
“From homes to schools and communities, women continue to lead conversations that promote tolerance, dialogue and non-violence. Their voices must therefore remain central in all peacebuilding and disarmament efforts,” the official added.
Participants at the seminar engaged in practical discussions on community safety, violence prevention, advocacy strategies and women-led peace initiatives aimed at reducing the proliferation of illicit arms and promoting safer societies.
Traditional leaders and women advocates also called for increased investment in youth empowerment, education and public awareness campaigns as part of broader national efforts to combat insecurity and violence.
Some speakers encouraged young women and girls to become ambassadors for peace within their schools and communities by promoting dialogue, unity and responsible citizenship.
Civil society organizations present at the event underscored the need for sustained public education on the dangers associated with illegal arms possession and the devastating impact of gun violence on families and communities.
The seminar concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders to strengthen partnerships that support women’s leadership in peacebuilding and disarmament programmes in Ghana.
Organizers expressed optimism that the observance would inspire more women and girls to actively contribute to national peace and security efforts while helping to build a peaceful and gun-violence-free Ghana.
