Solutions for "true peace" proposed by 1,067 women leaders across four regions worldwide, from Afghanistan to the Middle East.

In this newsletter, leading up to the "2026 International Women's Peace Conference" to be held in South Korea this coming September, we take a look at vivid proposals from the ground and global issues concerning women and peace.

Global Challenges for Women's Peace: What do we need?

Carmen Magallón
President of SIP Foundation, Honorary President of WILPF Spain

We are living through dark times. Two decades ago, we thought we had entered an era of growing peace; thought war would never again mark our lives; thought that it was impossible for a genocide to happen before our eyes without anyone stopping it and that people would never democratically bring to power leaders who challenge international institutions and defy the laws we gave ourselves as an international community.

Within this context, European countries have embarked on ever-increasing arms spending: more drones, more missiles, business for weapons companies. This drift has left organizations that are genuinely necessary without funding. Most NGOs, as women's organizations working for peace, development cooperation, against violence against women or to combat climate change have seen their funding fall dramatically. Alongside social media is sowing messages in people's minds in which war and violence are presented as something inevitable.

What can women do? First, to be aware that we have a historical past working in favor of peace. The peace movements of women form part of a tradition that can be traced back through history and that has left us a civilizational legacy. We need to know and keep it alive.

We, too, can counter hate speech and narratives that normalise war by highlighting examples of cooperation and support, and by raising awareness of the efforts of women's groups – both past and present – who work together to address conflicts between their respective communities. Examples from the past of women committed to peace continue to be a source of inspiration: the suffragists in The Hague in 1915, who were able to unite to stop the war whilst the men of their countries were killing one another; Catholic and Protestant women in Ireland; Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot women who engaged in dialogue; Christian and Muslim women in Liberia, who lobbied for peace; Colombian women who joined forces to influence the negotiations... Let us learn from them.

Let us also support women who live in places where there are armed conflicts or where, as in Afghanistan, women's rights and freedoms are being denied. Afghan women cannot study, cannot go out alone, they have no voice: their country has become a prison for them.

We cannot remain indifferent to these situations. We must forge alliances between women's organisations to tackle these issues. Because together we are stronger. Let us bear in mind that everything that happens to a woman anywhere in the world has an impact on our own lives. And every right that women lose anywhere threatens our own.

Together, we can take action on social media, refuse to fuel confrontation, refuse to allow huge sums of money to be spent on weapons, and foster, within our own society, a sense of responsibility amongst our people so that we do not vote for leaders who will lead us into armed conflict. Let us not lose hope.

IWPG successfully concluded the "Global Women's Peace Forum," which took place over two days starting on July 20. Organized in anticipation of the "2026 International Women's Peace Conference" to be held in South Korea this coming September, the forum brought together the vivid voices of grassroots leaders from around the world.

🗺️ Key Recommendations for Each of the Four Regions at a Glance

• Emphasizing human-centered security that guarantees justice and safety beyond military responses (Australia)
• Calls for expanded women's participation in disaster response and key decision-making processes (Indonesia)

• Caution against rearmament in Europe and the establishment of psychosocial support systems for conflict victims (Spain)
• Discussions on comprehensive recovery support that goes beyond ensuring physical safety (Kenya)

• Strengthening women's mental health, economic independence, and capabilities in STEM fields (Mexico, Bolivia)
• Actively incorporating gender and ethnic perspectives into the formulation of judicial and peace policies (Colombia)

• Guaranteeing Substantive Authority for Women Leaders Excluded from Peace Negotiations (Lebanon, Afghanistan)
• Proposals for Structural Institutional Reforms That Guarantee Dignity and Justice (Yemen, Iraq, Pakistan)

The in-depth discussions held at this Global Women's Peace Forum across the four regions will be compiled into a comprehensive report titled Global Women's Peace Recommendations 2026. The final recommendations are scheduled to be officially presented to the international community at the "2026 International Women's Peace Conference" this coming September. We ask for your continued support on this journey toward sustainable peace.🔥

The participants of the 8th International Loving-Peace Art Competition (ILPAC) shared their thoughts on peace.

🇲🇳 Mongolia | 3 New Branches & Peace Promotion Center

From June 29 to July 9, Global Region 9 visited Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to expand their local peace-building efforts there.

Through this visit, Global Region 9 established new branches in three regions—Zavkhan, Orkhon, and Bayanzürkh—in addition to the existing Ulaanbaatar branch, laying the groundwork for spreading a culture of peace throughout Mongolia.
On July 1, the opening ceremony for the "Peace HUB," a peace promotion center set to serve as the central hub for peace activities in Mongolia, was held. The facility was voluntarily donated by a member from the Bulgan region to support the activities of the Ulaanbaatar branch and is planned to be used as a venue for training women peace leaders in the future. With approximately 50 local activists in attendance, the event featured appointment ceremonies for new branch managers and advisory committee members, as well as a roundtable discussion with Peace Committee representatives, strengthening the cohesion of the IWPG network in Mongolia.

Global Region 9 and the Ulaanbaatar Branch visited the Ulaanbaatar Government Complex to meet with members of the Mongolian Parliament, introduce the IWPG's vision, and officially invite them to the "2026 International Women's Peace Conference" to be held in South Korea this September.
They then traveled to the village of Gachurt in Bayanzurkh, where they visited local nomadic families to experience traditional culture, strengthening ties with residents and the Gachurt Village Peace Committee to expand grassroots peace initiatives.
Global Region 9 announced that, using its new branches and Peace Hubs as bases, it plans to work alongside Mongolian women to deeply embed a culture of sustainable peace within local communities.

South Korea Branches Hold Nationwide Commemorative Events
to Mark Liberation Day 🇰🇷

To mark the 81st anniversary of National Liberation Day of Korea, IWPG branches nationwide held citizen-participatory peace campaigns throughout August. At major locations such as Busan Station Plaza, Yi Sun-sin Plaza in Yeosu, and Gunsan, events including the distribution of Taegeukgi flags and the writing of "peace pledge" cards took place, while in Daechuri Peace Village in Pyeongtaek, citizens created a giant Taegeukgi flag using their handprints.
Special humanities lectures and cultural gatherings were also held to carry forward the spirit of independence and self-reliance of our patriotic martyrs into today's peace initiatives. In Chuncheon, a special lecture was held highlighting the dedication of citizens during the Battle of Chuncheon; in Gangneung, participants reflected on the history of the Manse Movement at Namun Market; in Donghae and Samcheok, they explored peace and reunification in everyday life; and in Nowon, a "Movie Day" honoring female independence activists provided meaningful opportunities to reflect on local history and the value of peace.

In August, we signed MOUs with seven new organizations across our five regional branches nationwide to jointly drive local community development.
The Suncheon Branch (Gwangyang Chapter of the Korea Arts Council, Jeonnam Dongbu Shinmun) and the Mokpo Branch (K-Total Channel, Seohae Eurasia Shinmun, Hambit Hospital) expanded the scope of their cooperation. The Seosan Branch (Seosan City Branch of the Republic of Korea Disabled Veterans Association), the Incheon Namdong Branch (Pado TV), and the Yeonsu Branch (Network of Love) are also embarking on a strong partnership.

Please stay tuned for the meaningful changes and steps toward mutual growth we will create together with our partners across various fields!