The Course was officially inaugurated by the Defence Attaché Canada to Kenya, Colonel Todd Braithwaite who affirmed Canada’s commitment to advancing the Women Peace and Security Agenda.

On 28th of March last year, the Government of Canada released its Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), a testament that advancing WPS agenda is key to Canada’s objectives of enabling sustainable global peace, respecting human rights and dignity, and reducing gender inequality.

The Commandant Peace and Conflict Studies School, Colonel Emma Ngigi urged the participants to profit from this opportunity to learn, network and establish lifelong professional relationships for their military career and Peace Operations assignments.

The course has 41 female participants from diverse countries namely Botswana, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Morrocco, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Zambia.

In his remark, the Director highlighted that the programme is delivered in a blended format and draws participants from diverse backgrounds—including government officials, international personnel, and civilians. He emphasized that this diversity of experience and perspective greatly enriches the learning environment and should not be underestimated.

Major General Mwazighe encouraged the students to develop key competencies, particularly critical thinking, which is essential in crisis response and disaster management. He acknowledged that the academic journey may come with challenges but assured the participants of IPSTC’s commitment to supporting them and delivering a meaningful and high-quality learning experience.

He concluded by congratulating the cohorts on their admission and extended his best wishes for their success in the programme.

Also present was the Commandant Humanitarian Peace Support School Brigadier Mundui, Colonel incharge of Plans and Programmes Colonel Koech, Commandant Peace and Conflict Studies School Colonel Emma Ngigi, Head of Postgraduate School Colonel M Kimwele and the Head of Research Department Colonel C Lagat.

The five-day course is sponsored by the Government of Japan through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It aims to enhance participants’ knowledge, skills and attitudes on maritime security, ocean governance and the role of women in sustainable blue economy.

This is the first Kenya-only pilot course under the newly reviewed IMSSBEC curriculum. The curriculum was revised earlier this year with support from the Government of Japan through UNDP.

 

“The importance of maritime security and the sustainable blue economy cannot be overstated. Kenya's geostrategic position along the Indian Ocean, its economic reliance on maritime trade, and its ambitions in blue economy innovation place us at the heart of regional maritime conversations. Yet challenges—such as Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, climate risks, cyber threats, and limited interagency coordination—continue to threaten our maritime domain. Additionally, there is a pressing need to enhance gender representation and inclusion in maritime spaces, in line with national and international frameworks. This course, therefore, comes at a critical time,” emphasized Commandant Peace and Conflict Studies School, Colonel Emma Ngigi.

Over the next five days, participants will engage in lectures, case studies, group exercises, guided discussions, and scenario-based learning.