The Global Network of Women Peacebuilders welcomes Ibalu Odong Pamela, a refugee woman from South Sudan! For World Refugee Day 2021, GNWP sat down with Ibalu to discuss the various impacts of resettlement and refugee crises have on women and young people, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tune in to hear more about Ibalu’s reflections and her message of resilience and hope to fellow refugees.

The Global Network of Women Peacebuilders welcomes Esther Atosha, Young Women Leader for Peace from Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)! During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, GNWP sat down with Esther to discuss the various discriminations that women peacebuilders & feminist activists face in their work at the local level and globally, including discrimination based on gender and race.

Tune in to hear more about Esther’s recommendations on how systemic barriers must be transformed to achieve gender and racial equality.

On April 15, 2020, the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) hosted the first-ever global dialogue among its Young Women Leaders for Peace program and networks in 5 different countries: Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, the Philippines, and South Sudan.

The dialogue also included partners and youth-led representatives from 6 additional countries: Afghanistan, Georgia, Kenya, Lebanon, Myanmar, and Ukraine.

The Global Network of Women Peacebuilders welcomes its 4th Cora Weiss Peacebuilding Fellow, Heela Yoon! On the International Day for the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence, GNWP interns sat down with Heela of Afghanistan to discuss her journey on advancing the rights of young women.

Tune in to hear more about Heela’s work & how young women work towards peace and women’s rights in Afghanistan.

The Global Network of Women Peacebuilders wishes you a happy International Day of Peace 2019! Today is devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and peoples. The theme of this year’s Day of Peace is “Climate Action for Peace.”

To celebrate, we have a special GNWP Talks 1325 podcast with one of the members of GNWP’s International Advisory Council, the incredible Dr. Betty Reardon! Dr. Reardon was part of the team that spearheaded the initial research on peace education around the world and is the founder of many peace organizations including the International Institute on Peace Education and the Global Campaign for Peace Education. She has advocated peace learning as an essential component of effective community and civil action.

Thank you to Dr. Reardon and our GNWP interns for sharing their discussion on the importance of women’s participation in building peace for the future!

GNWP wishes everyone a Happy International Youth Day!

In this celebratory episode of GNWP Talks, Shivi Thakur and Eliza Beckerman-Lee, two Global Network of Women Peacebuilders interns, sit down with Sophia Garcia, Bianca Pabotoy, and Lynrose Jane Genon, three long-time members and ambassadors for GNWP’s Young Women for Peace and Leadership program to talk about the role of youth (especially young women) in the peacebuilding process. Sophia, Bianca, and Lynrose, all based in the Philippines, recently spoke on a series of panels at the High-Level Political Forum at the UN about their work engaging young women in issues of peace and security. In the spirit of #InternationalYouthDay we continued this discussion and listened to what else these young women had to say about the importance of increasing the presence of young people on the global stage!

We are truly thankful to Sophia Garcia, Bianca Pabotoy, and Lynrose Jane Genon for their leadership in both advocating for youth involvement in peacebuilding and working directly with young people in their home communities for more durable peace.

In this episode, Shivi Thakur and Hidehiko Yamashita, two Global Network of Women Peacebuilders interns, have an interesting discussion with Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdury, former President of the Security Council and an inspirational champion for sustainable peace and gender equality. A fervent believer in the power of civil society, Ambassador Chowdhury gives some advice on how to take advantage of the 20th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 in order to address systems of gendered power and violence, and criticizes the tendency of politicians to use the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda in order to be reelected.

We are truly thankful to Ambassador Chowdhury for making time in his busy agenda to speak with us, and for his legacy and leadership in advancing the best interest of the global community.

In this episode, Shalini Medepalli, a Research and Advocacy Intern, talks to Tea Jaliashvili (from Georgia) and Maria Dmytrieva (from Ukraine) about their role as Peace Exchange Participants, the importance of Localization and what next steps need to be taken to successfully implement UNSCR 1325. The podcast takes place in Moldova, so the importance of Media, NAP and Localization workshops are also discussed. Massive thanks to Tea and Maria for their help on this episode of GNWP Talks!

In this interview podcast, Cora speaks to Research and Advocacy interns Shalini Medepalli and Naima Kane about some of the highlights of her involvement in the global peace movement –the Vietnam War protests and banning of nuclear testing as well as international solidarity work such as the African-American Students Foundation. She also speaks about the future and challenges today’s generation to continue the fight to end the scourge of war—the reason why the United Nations was founded.

Please find below the transcript for Rhoda’s interview

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

Hello, I am Rhoda Mae Kasil from the Philippines,  a member of the Girl+ Ambassador for Peace, I am 24 years old. A teacher by profession, I am now connected in the people’s organization in my city as a volunteer which covers 8 communities and focusing on empowerment and providing different services. I am also representing the youth sector in different national and local mechanisms such as the national End the Poverty Commission, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee, the Police Regional office as a member of the Advisory Council. I am also a member of the Regional Youth Advisory Council and a convener of the Community Advocate for Empowerment of Survivors. I really love service people because I was once a beneficiary of such services offered in the community. I am a former sponsored child of the World Vision in the Philippines, so they paid for my tuition fees from elementary to college and enabled my empowerment me. I wish to replicate the empowerment to people, especially women and other vulnerable members of a community.

Thank you Rhoda, you are one busy woman! Can you give me a little background on your role as a Girl+ Ambassador for Peace and how long you have been involved with them.

It has been 4 months already as a Girl+ Ambassador for Peace because we were just created last February. It was a training attended by 28 young women from across the Philippines, representing academic institutions, civil society, local authorities, security sector and Indigenous people. The training paved the way for the creation of the Girl+ Ambassadors for Peace in the Philippines. This is a network composed of the women community leaders who attended the said training. This network is also an avenue for the youth to engage not  just with the members of their organization but the Philippines as a whole in upholding the said principles through the use of social media.

We would now like to discuss your recent election as a Karawad of Barangaay Baan Riverside, in the region of Butuan in the Philippines. What motivated you to run in the local elections?

Actually, it’s the trust of the people that motivates me to run. They are pushing me to run even though sometimes we have doubt in ourselves, I admit that. The people in our community keeps on cheering me and always believing in me. I also wish to use my connections to share my knowledge on empowering women. I learned from the seminars and training I attend. Most importantly, I really want to serve people, especially in the grassroots. Their smiles are really priceless. I was actually motivated knowing that out of 25 candidates in our community, only 3 women ran. I finally decided to run because there should be a woman in the council.

What were the main challenges that you faced while running for the elections?

Sometimes, I think negatively. Since I am the youngest out of the 25 candidates, 7 of which will be given the opportunity to run. But during our caucuses I always let people know my favorite bible verse which really fits me, saying “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

As a newly elected councillor,  what are your priorities and how do you wish to accomplish them? As the youngest local councillor, I am a women advocate, I want every woman in our community to be empowered, to know their rights and stand on their own. Although, the women in our community have already organized, I want to strengthen their effort so they can replicate it to other women, especially to the youngest ones, as they most need the guidance. I will provide capacity-building projects and have consultations every month to address their issue and concern. I want to accomplish something that is life changing for every woman, by touching their lives so they can see the difference.

Do you see possible allies in this fight? Men or women ? Specific organizations or other elected official that can help you put women’s rights at the forefront of your agenda?

I am working with the People’s Organization and I am involved in several local mechanisms and these connections can actually help in our locality to organize the grassroots—not only the women but the different sectors as well.

How can you most effectively transport the work you are doing at the local level to the national level and how can you most effectively localize the national policies on women’s rights. How does it work?

I think this is the most important question. It is in the local level that issues are rampants so as a local councillor I wish to urge the government in the city and national level to fund peacebuilding and have consultation on the ground in order to make sure they will provide resources for capacity-building project such as the workshops on peace education, gender equality and human rights to empower people from all sectors to participate, especially in the decision-making processes. It should be inclusive. By all means, I will localize all national policies to the grassroots. To motivate the national level, I will develop document that can be considered best practices in our community. I will lobby and bring our issues and concerns to the national level.

How will you be able to balance your role as a Girl+ Ambassador for Peace and a local councillor and how can the local council support the Girl+ Ambassador for Peace

Actually, the agenda of the Girl+ Ambassadors aligns with my agenda as a local councillor. It is so easy for me to balance my roles, because I will integrate the programs of the Girl+ Ambassadors for Peace in my work in the council. They are actually two opportunities feeding into each other.

What would be your advice for a young girl who would like to enter politics?

Politics is not easy. But if you really want to serve people, my advice for my fellow young women who want to fight for advocacy on women’s right, don’t let other people think you cannot do it . I will emphasize my favorite verse: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for others.” We should be an inspiration to all other even those once young, not just the young ones.

Last update: June 27, 2018

A Toolkit for Young Women & Girls on Literacy, Leadership, Economic Empowerment, Media & Theater

On March 17th, 2020, the civil society-led Beijing+25 WPS – YPS Action Coalition organized a roundtable discussion meeting, which provided a space for an the civil society, Member States and UN agencies to engage in a strategic discussion on the necessary actions for the implementation of the WPS and YPS agendas and their intentional and meaningful inclusion in the Generation Equality Forum process and outcomes; and to prevent the weakening of agreed upon language in the BPFA and the WPS and YPS resolutions. The meeting also served as a space to present and discuss the Advocacy Paper developed by the Beijing +25 WPS-YPS Action Coalition and generated support for the key recommendations from civil society.

The GNWP team and partners share insights on how to conduct successful costing and budgeting of a National Action Plan on the UNSCR 1325 on WPS. Guarantee budget and insure implementation!

Join Young Women for Peace and Leadership (YWPL) members from the Democratic Republic of Congo as they discuss education, elections, employment and equality. The podcast is a compelling conversation led by the young women through their own experiences!

The ninth of the series of radio broadcasts by the Girl Ambassadors for Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo aired on March 16th, 2017! With our partner the Synergie des associations feminines du Congo (SAFECO) and the Radio Star FM 99.2 MHZ in Bukavu, the girls were able to discuss issues of abuse in areas of worship in both Swahili and French. As part of an initiative to build peaceful communities and empower women and girls, they have put together skits which discuss the importance of the Security Council Resolution 1325 to understand and claim their rights.

Along with identifying key local and international organisations, the Girl Ambassadors tell their auditory that women’s rights is key to attaining peace in the DRC. Special addition to this ninth broadcast as the Girl Ambassadors discuss issues of exploitation in areas of worship. The Girls outline the importance of women’s rights in regard to sexual exploitation, unwanted sexual advances, and abortions stemming from consensual or nonconsensual sexual relations in areas of worship – areas deemed safe by parents and other adults. The aim is to warn parents, girls and young women of the potential risks from assuming personal safety in areas usually dedicated to worship.

The eighth of the series of radio broadcasts by the Girl Ambassadors for Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo aired on February 23rd, 2017! With our partner the Synergie des associations feminines du Congo (SAFECO) and the Radio Star FM 99.2 MHZ in Bukavu, the girls were able to discuss issues of early and forced marriages in both Swahili and French. As part of an initiative to build peaceful communities and empower women and girls, they have put together skits which discuss the importance of the Security Council Resolution 1325 to understand and claim their rights.

Along with identifying key local and international organisations, the Girl Ambassadors tell their auditory that women’s rights is key to attaining peace in the DRC. Special addition to this eighth broadcast as the Girl Ambassadors discuss issues of early and forced marriages. The Girls outline the importance of women’s rights in regard to self-determination and individual freedom and choice. They highlight that even under Congolese laws, women have full rights to choose whom they marry, and that this must be respected.

The seventh of the series of radio broadcasts by the Girl Ambassadors for Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo aired on February 9th, 2016! With our partner the Synergie des associations feminines du Congo (SAFECO) and the Radio Star FM 99.2 MHZ in Bukavu, the girls were able to discuss marriage and self-determination in both Swahili and French. As part of an initiative to build peaceful communities and empower women and girls, they have put together skits which discuss the importance of the Security Council Resolution 1325 to understand and claim their rights.

Along with identifying key local and international organisations, the Girl Ambassadors tell their auditory that women’s rights is key to attaining peace in the DRC. Special addition to this seventh broadcast as the Girl Ambassadors discuss issues of dowries and inheritance in regard to marriage. The Girls outline the importance of women’s rights in regard to financial and economic stability and how marriage has become oppressive. They highlight that even under Congolese laws, women have full rights to inheritance, and that this must be respected.

The sixth of the series of radio broadcasts by the Girl Ambassadors for Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo aired on December 1st, 2016! With our partner the Synergie des associations feminines du Congo (SAFECO) and the Radio Star FM 99.2 MHZ in Bukavu, the girls were able to discuss issues of women’s empowerment within their cultural context in both Swahili and French. As part of an initiative to build peaceful communities and empower women and girls, they have put together skits which discuss the importance of the Security Council Resolution 1325 to understand and claim their rights.

Along with identifying key local and international organisations, the Girl Ambassadors tell their auditory that women’s rights is key to attaining peace in the DRC. Special addition to this sixth broadcast as the Girl Ambassadors discuss issues of dowries and inheritance in regard to marriage. The Girls outline the importance of women’s rights in regard to financial and economic stability and how marriage has become oppressive. They highlight that even under Congolese laws, women have full rights to inheritance, and that this must be respected.

The fifth of the series of radio broadcasts by the Girl Ambassadors for Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo aired on October 27th, 2016! With our partner the Synergie des associations feminines du Congo (SAFECO) and the Radio Star FM 99.2 MHZ in Bukavu, the girls were able to discuss issues of women’s empowerment within their cultural context in both Swahili and French. As part of an initiative to build peaceful communities and empower women and girls, they have put together skits which discuss the importance of the Security Council Resolution 1325 to understand and claim their rights.

Along with identifying key local and international organisations, the Girl Ambassadors tell their auditory that women’s rights is key to attaining peace in the DRC. Special addition to this fifth broadcast as the Girl Ambassadors discuss sexual violence and women’s economic empowerment. The Girls condone domestic abuse and further identify ways to prevent or respond to the violence.

The fourth of the series of radio broadcasts by the Girl Ambassadors for Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo aired on October 6th, 2016! With our partner the Synergie des associations feminines du Congo (SAFECO) and the Radio Star FM 99.2 MHZ in Bukavu, the girls were able to discuss issues of women’s empowerment within their cultural context in both Swahili and French. As part of an initiative to build peaceful communities and empower women and girls, they have put together skits which discuss the importance of the Security Council Resolution 1325 to understand and claim their rights.

Along with identifying key local and international organisations, the Girl Ambassadors tell their auditory that women’s rights is key to attaining peace in the DRC. Special addition to this fourth broadcast as the Girl Ambassadors discuss difficulties for survival of sexual assaults and rape within their context, how women and girls suffer from gender-based violence and are rejected by their fathers and communities–a reality for many within the world. The girls also discuss the importance of shifting the dialogue from blaming to empowering and nurturing survivors of sexual violence.

The third of the series of radio broadcasts by the Girl Ambassadors for Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo aired on September 7th, 2016! With our partner the Synergie des associations feminines du Congo (SAFECO) and the Radio Star FM 99.2 MHZ in Bukavu, the girls were able to discuss issues of women’s empowerment within their cultural context in both Swahili and French. As part of an initiative to build peaceful communities and empower women and girls, they have put together skits which discuss the importance of the Security Council Resolution 1325 to understand and claim their rights.

Along with identifying key local and international organisations, the Girl Ambassadors tell their auditory that women’s rights is key to attaining peace in the DRC. Special addition to this third broadcast as the Girl Ambassadors discuss women’s empowerment through decision-making and economic empowerment. They also focus on SCR 1889, as a new component of international law.

The second of a series of radio broadcasts by the Girl Ambassadors for Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo aired on July 28, 2016! With our partner the Synergie des associations feminines du Congo (SAFECO) and the Radio Star FM 99.2 MHZ in Bukavu, the girls were able to discuss issues of women’s empowerment within their cultural context in both Swahili and French. As part of an initiative to build peaceful communities and empower women and girls, they have put together skits which discuss the importance of the Security Council Resolution 1325 to understand and claim their rights. Along with identifying key local and international organisations, the Girl Ambassadors tell their auditory that women’s rights is key to attaining peace in the DRC.

The first of the series of radio broadcasts by the Girl Ambassadors for Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo aired on June 23rd, 2016! With our partner the Synergie des associations feminines du Congo (SAFECO) and the Radio Star FM 99.2 MHZ in Bukavu, the girls were able to discuss issues of women’s empowerment within their cultural context in both Swahili and French. As part of an initiative to build peaceful communities and empower women and girls, they have put together skits which discuss the importance of the Security Council Resolution 1325 to understand and claim their rights. Along with identifying key local and international organisations, the Girl Ambassadors tell their auditory that women’s rights is key to attaining peace in the DRC.