Justified Accord brings experts together at Women, Peace and Security course

NAIROBI, Kenya — When Zambian Army Capt. Suwilanji Tembo arrived in Central Africa as a part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission, she saw the impact that war has on women and children with her own eyes.



By 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Nairobi, Kenya Feb 29, 2024
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 5 images

NAIROBI, Kenya — When Zambian Army Capt. Suwilanji Tembo arrived in Central Africa as a part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission, she saw the impact that war has on women and children with her own eyes.

At Justified Accord 2024, held in Kenya from Feb. 26 to Mar. 8, Tembo and joint service members from 23 partner nations learned about the importance of, and tools for implementing, Women, Peace and Security initiatives.

“When I was on the ground, I saw that it was real,” Tembo said. “I saw women suffering, children getting pregnant, and boys getting recruited into militias.”

The U.S. strategy on Women, Peace and Security aims to integrate women's perspectives and participation in conflict prevention, resolution and recovery processes. Experts conclude that women and children are disproportionately affected by war and conflict, so these vulnerable populations must be considered in inter-planning aspects before, during and after conflicts.

In Central Africa, Tembo was introduced to the concept of WPS while working as a UN peacekeeper. Here in Nairobi, she had the opportunity to sharpen her skills and add to her base knowledge. Most of all, Tembo gets to bring the information she learned back home to Zambia.

“I want to go back and show my unit what I’ve learned, and also be part of the team that trains Soldiers before they go on a mission,” said Tembo.

By the end of the course, Soldiers received baseline knowledge and the confidence to engage their leadership from a gender-based perspective, influencing decision-making processes that impact operations.

For U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Andrea Pangrac, a WPS instructor and logistics air advisor with the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron, 621st Air Mobility Advisory Group, the course was successful in building a foundation for WPS and strengthening relations between partner nations.

“We want to help each other out by sharing the knowledge of Women, Peace and Security,” Pangrac said. “Our security objectives will be strengthened because we're considering a much larger perspective and we’re incorporating vulnerable populations in operation planning.”

Exercise content can be found on the official Justified Accord DVIDS feature page.

More in Partnerships
Double Duty: Twin Airmen tackle African Lion 2025 side by side
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Read more
Honoring the fallen, uniting the living: A legacy rekindled at African Lion 2025
DODJI, Senegal – During African Lion 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen—whose hometown is Margraten—adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies. Their story highlights the human connections behind military cooperation and reflects the spirit of African Lion: strengthening partnerships, honoring shared sacrifice, and building a safer future together.
Read more
US Army Advisor gains valuable experience at African Lion 25
TAMALE, Ghana - Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, it’s just another adventure - and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Double Duty: Twin Airmen tackle African Lion 2025 side by side
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Read more
Honoring the fallen, uniting the living: A legacy rekindled at African Lion 2025
DODJI, Senegal – During African Lion 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen—whose hometown is Margraten—adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies. Their story highlights the human connections behind military cooperation and reflects the spirit of African Lion: strengthening partnerships, honoring shared sacrifice, and building a safer future together.
Read more
US Army Advisor gains valuable experience at African Lion 25
TAMALE, Ghana - Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, it’s just another adventure - and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Double Duty: Twin Airmen tackle African Lion 2025 side by side
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Read more
Honoring the fallen, uniting the living: A legacy rekindled at African Lion 2025
DODJI, Senegal – During African Lion 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen—whose hometown is Margraten—adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies. Their story highlights the human connections behind military cooperation and reflects the spirit of African Lion: strengthening partnerships, honoring shared sacrifice, and building a safer future together.
Read more
US Army Advisor gains valuable experience at African Lion 25
TAMALE, Ghana - Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, it’s just another adventure - and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
Read more