Research shows that achieving gender equality helps to prevent conflict and when women are involved in peace-building, the probability that violence will end increases by 24%. Peace agreements that involve women are 35% more likely to last at least 15 years. However, a report by UN Women revealed that only 4% of participants in peace processes were women.
Credit: Pius Utomi Ekpei AFP / Getty Images
Advocates for greater female representation say that women are essential because they bring a more comprehensive peace plan to the negotiating table by addressing societal needs rather than solely focusing on what will make the warring parties happy. Local women from the conflict are vital for creating a lasting peace agreement.
In Northern Ireland, women played a massive role in attaining peace, and continue to do the work of maintaining and promoting peace today. All around the world, other women doing the same.
Fatima Askira - Nigeria
In 2002, the peaceful society Fatima knew growing up in north-east Nigeria was changed forever when the terrorist organisation, Boko Haram, was founded. Since their insurrection against the Nigerian government began in 2009, tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced. Being ‘deeply affected’ by the stories she was hearing, Fatima was inspired to do everything she could to meet the ‘immediate needs’ of those displaced. By 2014, she established the Borno Women Development Initiative, an NGO that ‘represents and assists women and young people affected by conflict.’ Fatima has advocated for youth involvement in counteracting violent extremism at the UN Security Council, the African Union and elsewhere.
Gulalai and Saba Ismail - Pakistan
Credit: Angela Catlin
In 2002, Pakistani sisters Gulalai and Saba, aged 16 and 15, founded Aware Girls to counter the culture of violence and the oppression of women while providing ‘a platform for learning and advocacy so [young women] could act as change agents in their communities [and] receive an education.’ One of its attendees in 2011 was Malala Yousafzai! As a result of their trailblazing work, the sisters have faced threats of death and arrest, particularly Gulalai. In 2019, she was forced into hiding before escaping Pakistan to join Saba in the US. Inspired by her ordeal, the sisters launched Voices for Peace and Democracy to ‘build and strengthen protection mechanisms for women peacebuilders.’
Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace
During the second Liberian civil war (1999-2003), a group of women, led by Leymah Gbowee, decided to ‘take the destiny of Liberia into their own hands’ and say ‘no to violence and yes to peace.’ The Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace campaign was born. In images seen around the world, thousands of Christian and Muslim women dressed in white gathered at a fish market in Monrovia, the capital, and sang and prayed. WLMAP convinced then-President Charles Taylor to attend peace talks with leaders of warring factions and through sit-ins and a threatened sex strike, Liberian women ended decades of violence to bring about peace in their country. Continued political activism saw the election in Liberia in 2005 of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first woman president of any country in Africa.
‘The women of Liberia say peace is our goal, peace is what matters, peace is what we need.’
Maria Victoria “Mavic” Cabrera Balleza - Philippines / USA
Mavic is the founder and CEO of the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders. Founded in 2010, GNWP enables the creation of equal, resilient, and peaceful communities by ‘amplifying women's voices for a more sustainable and inclusive peace.’ She pioneered the localisation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which spotlights the importance of ‘women’s equal participation in decision making and local women’s voices in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.’ Mavic’s work in this area is considered a best practice example and has been employed in over 20 countries around the world.
Rita Lopidia - South Sudan
Rita grew up in what is now South Sudan during the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005) which has one of the highest civilian death tolls of any war since WWII. In 2005, she co-founded EVE Organisation for Women Development to ‘improve the quality of life of South Sudanese women and girls through processes [...] that help them reach their full potential as productive, responsible citizens.’ In 2013, civil war broke out in South Sudan, and after months of campaigning women won the opportunity to be an equal part of the official peace delegation. A peace agreement was signed in 2018, with women securing unprecedented and game-changing roles, including a provision that ‘women should hold 35 percent of the positions in a transitional government…’
Rigoberta Menchú Tum - Guatamala
Born in 1959 in a small Mayan community in Guatemala, Rigoberta Menchú Tum is a Mayan k’iche’ activist who has spent decades working for the rights of indigenous peoples. Throughout the Guatemalan Civil War (1960-96) which was rooted in ethnic and socioeconomic tensions, hundreds of thousands of Guatemalan’s were murdered, while a million were left displaced. Rigoberta brought worldwide attention to the plight of the Mayan people with the publication of her testimonial biography I, Rigoberta Menchu in 1983, and in 1992 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her tireless efforts for social justice. She continues to support Mayan communities in their fight for justice today.
Wevyn Muganda - Kenya
Wevyn of Kenya began her activism through a blog: Beyond the Lines, offering a dynamic platform for people to share their inspirational stories of peace and active citizenship. Through social media, she hoped to ‘empower the minds of young people and free them from the ideologies of violent extremism.’ Wevyn has created a network of youth leaders in Mombasa who now influence others in their communities. In 2020, she co-initiated Mutual Aid Kenya to provide relief packages to residents of informal settlements throughout Kenya during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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