Goma, 15 May, 2015 – A three-day meeting of the Women's Platform for the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework agreement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region was held in Goma, North Kivu, from 13 to 15 May 2015.

In attendance were sixty women leaders representing 35 organizations that received grants from the Trust Fund established by the Office of the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, thanks to contributions from the Dutch and Irish Governments.

During three days of deliberations, participants exchanged views and shared their experiences in four thematic areas, namely: monitoring and advocacy for the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework and United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 (2000); combating violence against women and protecting victims; advancing women's livelihoods; and improving access to clean energy in local communities.

The women leaders also explored opportunities for synergy and collaboration between their various organizations, including around projects intended to benefit the Great Lakes region at large.

The Women's Platform was launched in January 2014 by the Office of the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region to enable women's organizations from the Great Lakes region to actively participate in the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework, and to promote a participatory approach to the formulation of gender-related policies, especially with regard to the promotion of women’s participation in public life, and the respect and protection of women's rights.