By Guy Feugap, Africa Organizer of War BEYOND War, September 14, 2025
As part of its ongoing peacebuilding work, the World BEYOND War Nakivale Chapter in Uganda has engaged tailoring students in a dialogue on the role of women and youth in fostering peace and social change. The session emphasized that women and youth should be part of community transformation in Nakivale and beyond, also be actively engaged in managing conflicts, addressing hostility and violence, and raising their voices to end all forms of discrimination and war.
During the discussion, participants reflected on the pressing challenges that threaten peace within the refugee settlement. These include shortages of food, water, shelter, and medical supplies, which often create tensions among refugees; religious divisions that undermine social cohesion; and psychological trauma resulting from war, loss, and displacement, which can manifest in anger, despair, and mistrust. Many of the women and young people in Nakivale are refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and from Rwanda, where the genocide forced families to flee. Their stories remind us of the importance of choosing peace over war in resolving conflicts.
The exchange provided a space for young people to share their own perspectives and propose ideas on how to address these threats, reinforcing the belief that peace must be built collectively and inclusively. Through such initiatives, the Nakivale Chapter continues to empower refugees, especially women and youth, to see themselves as key actors in promoting nonviolence and lasting peace.
The World BEYOND War Nakivale Chapter is committed to building a culture of peace by addressing the root causes of violence, promoting dialogue across differences, and creating opportunities for education and empowerment within the refugee community. Guided by the global mission of World BEYOND War, the chapter works to strengthen nonviolent alternatives to conflict and to ensure that refugees are not only recipients of aid but also active contributors to peacebuilding in their communities.
