Developing the Leaders of
Today and Tomorrow

GNWP’s Young Women Leaders for Peace program helps young women and girls gain the skills and confidence to become leaders in their communities. In countries experiencing conflict and crisis, young women and girls are often overlooked members of society, experiencing inequality in nutrition, medical care and education. When young women and girls’ leadership and peacebuilding potentials are realized, they are a positive force that transforms communities and society.

The goal of the YWL program is to strengthen the capacities of young women and girls, to promote and protect their rights, and to fully realize their leadership potential. Participants of the program develop their leadership skills and explore leadership strategies. They learn about Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security resolutions. Participants work together to analyze local peace and security conditions and design bespoke peacebuilding initiatives within their communities. They also learn a range of other skills – from effective use of traditional and digital media, producing theatre performances, delivering functional literacy trainings, and developing and running their own micro-enterprises. Young women participants are encouraged to train other young women who do not have the opportunity to go to school, or are unable to attend the training. The ultimate goal of the program is to empower all participants with the tools needed to be independent peacebuilders within their communities.

Significantly, the program has been recognized as a peacebuilding best practice by the Secretary-General of the United Nations in his first report to the Security Council on Youth, Peace and Security.

GNWP tailors the methodology and specific approach of the program to the needs identified by young women from each participating country. Read more about our YWL priorities’ and their work below!