predisposing factors expose them to disadvantage, discrimination and marginalisation, the greater the magnitude of suffering women endure. It stands to reason that with such high social costs of conflict, women should have a substantive voice and agency to participate in peace processes from a preventative, managing and remedial standpoint. The second conclusion relates to the essentiality of continental, regional and national frameworks for women, peace and security in mobilising action, resources and commitments, many of which are ensconced in governance contexts. With more countries adopting UNSCR 1325 and AU women, peace and security standards, more attention is being paid to gender responsive peacebuilding. However, there is more acknowledgement of this in principle than in practice as shown by the paucity of women in formal peace processes and decision making processes. Patriarchal social norms and constructions that reinforce the roles of men as natural decisionmakers and women as observers marginalise women’s participation in formal peace processes . The last finding relates to the centrality of governance in providing structures and processes of engagement for women and men in peacebuilding. Where women through strong lobbying in coalitions and working with grassroots movements successfully influence governance structures for formal peace processes with gender equality considerations, the ensuing positions and reforms reflected a wider benefit to society through focusing on social justice concerns. In circumstances where women were involved nominally, the ensuing frameworks more often than not omitted a comprehensive analysis of gender equality and gender justice concerns. Governance processes that fully integrate equal participation of men and decision making in form and substance provide the necessary platform to engender gender responsive peace processes. The UN asserts that obstacles to effectively and fully implementing resolution 1325 (2000) can only be overcome if member states show dedicated commitment to women’s participation, human rights and concerted leadership and build women’s engagement in all levels of decision making.345 Governance mechanisms and 345 UN Security Council Resolution S/RES/2242 108