10-03-2026 | di COOPI

Chad. “Transforming my pain into strength”. Women at the heart of peace

There will be no lasting security in Chad without the active participation of those who nurture the future.

On the occasion of International Women’s Rights Day, Ida Carmelle, Head of Project at COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale, recalls the essential role of women in peacebuilding.

8 March also marks a symbolic moment for the closure of the project “Women, Peace and Security: Strengthening the role of local women’s organizations in contributing to peace and security in Chad through the Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and Repatriation (DDRR) process”, implemented by COOPI and funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Tangible progress in the communities

The programme supported the creation of five departmental networks and one provincial network of women’s organisations, as well as the establishment of a micro-grant mechanism that enabled support to 209 women’s groups in carrying out micro-projects and awareness-raising activities.

At the same time, psychosocial support was provided to survivors of violence, both from host communities and among former associates. These actions were accompanied by dialogue groups, public debates, and awareness-raising campaigns, promoting women’s participation in local conflict resolution mechanisms.

A model for sustainable peace

To mark the Day, several testimonies highlighted the tangible impact of the project within communities.

Malloum Mboh, a former associate from Magui in the Fouli department, explains:

Thanks to the project’s revolving fund, I was able to start a business selling smoked fish and growing peanuts. Today, I am no longer seen as a former associate, but as a trader supplying the local market. This economic success has been the driving force behind my reintegration.

Local authorities also emphasised the project’s impact:

The WPS project has provided a concrete response to the challenges of the DDRR process in our province. For the Women’s Delegation, structured support to women’s groups strengthens local leadership in a sustainable way. For the provincial authority, this project has been an essential lever for security: by facilitating the socio-economic reintegration of former associates through women’s organizations, we have strengthened social peace. It is a consortium model that directly addresses the stabilization needs of the Lake region.

— Adoum Ahmat Lamana, Provincial Delegate for Women and Social Affairs, and General Saleh Haggar Tidjani, Provincial Governor of the Lake Province.

Finally, at the individual level, reconstruction journeys show profound transformations. Kakangou Alhadji, a survivor of gender-based violence, shares:

After the violence I endured, I was broken, both physically and mentally. The project’s intervention in Magui was my lifeline. The support helped me transform my pain into strength. Today, I am an active member of the support group and provide initial psychological support to other women. The project has given me a mission: to ensure that no woman in my community feels alone in her distress.

A context marked by ongoing challenges

Since 2015, the Lake Province has been affected by insecurity linked to armed groups affiliated with Boko Haram, compounded by environmental pressures and a lack of economic opportunities. This situation has led to massive population displacement and the gradual return of former associates of extremist groups to their communities.

However, their reintegration remains complex due to stigma, trauma, and limited access to basic services. Repentant women, in particular, face high levels of marginalization, as well as increased risks of violence and exploitation.

Strengthening the role of women in peace and security

In response to these challenges, the project aimed to support the DDRR process for former associates of Boko Haram-affiliated groups in the Lake Province by strengthening the involvement of local women’s organizations and access to protection services.

Since 2023, COOPI has established itself as a key actor in this field, promoting the role of women in conflict prevention, community mediation, and the rebuilding of social cohesion.