International PeacebuildingAlliance

Published purpose

This project seeks to improve stability and security at the community level in the East, Centre Nord and Boucle de Mouhoun regions of Burkina Faso, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This project reinforces the key role of security governance mechanisms, particularly the role of traditional and community structures, as well as the role of women and youths, in strengthening social cohesion and resilience in the face of security and health crises. Project activities include: (1) conducting a participative action-research process to better understand the dynamics between the various security mechanisms and the communities, the obstacles, and the opportunities to improve conflict management and prevention and to better protect the population of Burkina Faso; (2) engaging the relevant local stakeholders from communities, authorities and security mechanisms (state, customary, informal) in the chosen regions to build their capacity to manage and prevent conflicts and protect the population; (3) encouraging decision makers to adopt a “conflict sensitivity” approach, integrate gender and youth considerations, and take into account the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on security dynamics; and (4) using awareness and training activities to facilitate the inclusion of women and gender perspectives when developing and implementing conflict prevention, security management and population protection activities.