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In August, the International Women`s Peace Group (IWPG) once again united with women worldwide to cultivate the flowers of peace. IWPG began by urging for legislative support of the "Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War" (DPCW) with women leaders. IWPG also continued to promote the annual event, 9th Anniversary of the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit. Moreover, they actively conducted the education of women peace lecturers (PLTE). In addition to these activities, they carried on with endeavors such as the ▲Promotion of a culture of peace ▲5th International Women Leaders’ Peace Meeting ▲International Women’s Peace Network Regular Meeting ▲Signing ceremonies for agreements aimed at realizing peace initiatives. They also engaged in active exchange with the media. They met with the representative from OBN Ethiopia and Saudi Arabian journalists to share the status of peace activities and request their support in promoting peace.
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Support for the DPCW to
Institutionalize Peace
-The solidarity of women for sustainable peace
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IWPG supports the DPCW (Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War) as a remedy to overcome the limitations of current international law and bring true peace to humanity. It encourages women worldwide to recognize the gravity of war and actively participate in supporting the legislation of DPCW as a legally binding international law. The DPCW, crafted through the collaboration of 15 international legal experts, is composed of 10 articles and 38 clauses. It encompasses provisions for preventing war, along with substantive content aimed at achieving genuine peace.
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On Aug 22, Global Region 2 held a DPCW Support Campaign in Babile of Somali region and Tulu Gulate woreda, mainly driven by Saba Gebre medhin Hagos, Executive Director of The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations(NEWA), and 20 members. NEWA is a non-governmental, non-political network organization established in 2003 by a women’s organization that strives to create developmental synergies and a stronger voice advocating for women.
The campaign, taking place from Aug 9 to 12, involved debates on the cause and solution of conflicts within the Ethiopian community, and their impact on people’s lives. The participants said, “DPCW is necessary to solve the conflicts in Ethiopia, and we know that peace can be achieved through this. We will continue to spread the DPCW Support Campaign.”
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The Middle East urges for DPCW
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Women of Middle Eastern countries of Global Region 2 came together under one voice to urge for the support of the DPCW. These women are also conducting the “Peace Fulfillment Campaign” to make sure the DPCW is introduced into the UN and passed as a resolution to become an international law. Women from Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Jordan, and Oman are part of this project.
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Melbourne Branch urges for DPCW
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On Aug 7, Melbourne Branch of Australia met with Emma Vulin of the Australian Labor Party, a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, to introduce the DPCW and urge her to support it. During this meeting, the Branch emphasized that “peace” is a concept often overlooked in Australia and that IWPG’s role is essential. This was also an opportunity to network with women’s organizations within Australia and Cardinia Shire community.
Emma Vulin said, “It is important to spread peace education in the community. We need education on supporting the DPCW in order to bring an end to war and declare peace. We will participate in much more peace activities.”
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The 5th International Women Leaders’ Peace Meeting
-Various female leaders from all different countries and backgrounds discussing “Innovation and Change in the New Era: the role and future of women”
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Global Region 2 holds 5th International Women Leaders’ Peace Meeting
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On Aug 26, Global Region 2 invited female leaders from various backgrounds living in the Republic of Korea, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia and held the 5th International Women Leaders’ Peace Meeting online.
The event, held under the theme “Innovation and Change in the New Era: the role and future of women,” was an opportunity for 500 people from 25 countries to come together and discuss specific strategies to establish sustainable peace and ways female leaders can play a practical role.
Panelists from each country participated in the panel discussion, which was followed by a Q&A session, which helped participants broaden their perspective on peace work. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Hanan Youssef, tv announcer and Chairman of Arab Organization for Dialouge and International Cooperation.
Ghada Chreim Ata, Former Minister of the Displaced and Head of political committee at NCLW; Tahani Abu Daqqa, Former Minister of Youth and Sport and former Minister of Culture and President of the Palestinian Renewable Energy Company; Lamia Yahia Al-eryani, Former Deputy Minister of Education and Technology and founder of Yemen Peace School Organization; Shafiqa Saeed Abdo, Chairperson of Yemen Women National Committee; Pascale Isho Warda, Former Minister of Immigration and Displacement and President Hammurabi Human Rights Organization; Mkanibwa Magoti Ngoboka, assistant lecturer of Ruaha Catholic University; and Hyeryung Yang, Special Chairman of Gwangju Metropolitan City Party Regional Development stood as speakers, providing various suggestions on education and the role of female leaders in achieving world peace.
Regional Director Seo Yeon Lee said, “This meeting was gathered in order to stress that we should all take part in peace activities, the most sacred and valuable act of humanity, and discuss our duties and responsibilities in maintaining peace. I’m sure the speeches from all the female leaders will be a good source of inspiration for change and innovation in the role of women.”
Ghada Chreim Ata, Former Minister of the Displaced and Head of political committee at NCLW said, “According to the UN Declaration of Human Rights, anyone can enjoy life and freedom without discrimination based on human dignity. However, many women are still experiencing violence and discrimination in various sectors of society. Through cooperation with NGOs, women should come together and raise one voice to make an international society in which the lives and rights of women are guaranteed beyond the institutional level.”
Tahani Abu Daqqa, Former Minister of Youth and Sport, said, “The climate crisis is an enormous challenge that requires international cooperation and collective effort. We can create a peaceful environment and bring an end to war by adopting sustainable measures and preserve our society, peace, and the earth for the future generation by sharing resources and using them wisely.”
Shafiqa Saeed Abdo, Chairperson of Yemen Women National Committee, said, “It is a human instinct to desire peace and protection from threats toward human life. We must heed to these cries.”
Lamia Yahia Al-eryani, Former Deputy Minister of Education and Technology, gave a speech on “DPCW in the New Cold War Era,” saying, “For us to achieve peace in the New Cold War era, we must cooperate with civil society, organizations, and influential figures and officially legislate the DPCW, the key to conflict resolution, as an international law.”
Pascale Isho Warda, Former Minister of Immigration and Displacement, said, “The international society should become one regardless of ethnicity, ideology, and religion.” Mkanibwa Magoti Ngoboka, assistant lecturer of Ruaha Catholic University, gave a speech on “The Importance of Peace Activities,” emphasizing that “IWPG is becoming one with 3.9 billion women worldwide to disseminate the mindset of peace and bring peace around the world, and Tanzania is also promoting peace work and becoming a part of this initiative. Peace can never be achieved alone, and we must remember that women have the power to change the world.”
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Global Region 3 holds 5th International Women Leaders’ Peace Meeting
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Global Region 3 held the International Women Leaders’ Peace Meeting with IWPG members from 7 countries.
Regional Director Eun Joo Her said, “IWPG has been working ceaselessly for peace with our peace family for the past decade in the name of the most precious value called ‘peace’. Women all around the world should come together as one and strive to bring an end to war through the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War(DPCW).”
Florence Varghese from India, the founder of Global Peace Trust, emphasized the important of “health” in UN Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) #3 to strengthen feminine health and prevent related diseases. She also promised to facilitate education for girls and to spread the mindset of peace through PLTE for this end.
Also, Rania Alam from Bangladesh, art facilitator and coordinator of Flamearts Open Studio, said, “IWPG is a good platform to empower women,” expressing her excitement in participating in the 5th International Loving-Peace Art Competition. She also expressed her opinions and passion regarding SDG #14 Quality Education and #16 Peace, Justice, and Institutions.
Breshna Rarmand, principal of Afghanistan International School, talked about the situation in Afghanistan where girls cannot receive education and shared her experience of participating in the preliminary round of IWPG’s 5th International Loving-Peace Art Competition.
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Global Region 6 holds IWPG English Women Leaders’ Peace Forum
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On Aug 20, Global Region 6 held the IWPG English Leaders’ Peace Forum in an office in London with 22 participants. Gurpreet Kaur, engagement advisor of Climate Outreach, gave a speech on “The Role of Gender, Climate, Human Rights, and DPCW.” This was followed by a speech by Bathan Walters, gender leader of Sikh Human Right, on the topic of “Pluralism and Female Health” and a speech by Carine Takusi, journalist of Cameroon Association for Media Professional, on the topic “The importance of CAMP and IWPG PLTE.”
The participants said that they were happy to be part and that they were certain that war will soon come to an end.
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Global Region 7 holds 5th International Women Leaders’ Peace Meeting
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Global Region 7 held the 5th International Women Leaders’ Peace Meeting jointly with Korea and other countries overseas online. Approximately 170 participants from 22 countries have joined the meeting.
Bouare Bintou Foune Samake, current representative of Women`s Legal and Development Organization and the former Minister of Women and Child Development of Mali, gave a speech on "Female Leadership and Peace". She said, “Conflicts happen frequently, so the solution for peace must also evolve.”
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Peace Lecturer Training Education (PLTE)
-Peace that starts from us spreading all around the world
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Interview with New PLTE Students in Yemen and Egypt
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On Aug 17 and 20, Global Region 2 held online interviews with new Peace Lecturer Training Education students in Yemen and Egypt. The interviewees included Wardah Mohsen Nasser Saleh, representative of Hand and Hand Foundation for Development; Sabah Abdulrhman Khaled Naji, assistant professor of Al-Bayda University; and Rania Mohammed Ahmed Bazel, project manager of Sheba Youth Organization.
The students said that they wish to learn more about peace through PLTE and make sure peace is achieved on this earth as soon as possible and that they are willing to overcome any obstacles they may encounter in the process of receiving this education.
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PLTE Promotion in Arusha, Tanzania
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Lilian Msaki, IWPG PLTE lecturer of Arusha, Tanzania, Arusha Peace Committee Representative, and regional representative of Health Africa, is introducing IWPG and promoting the importance of women’s peace education to women in Arusha so that women all around the world learn and practice the mindset of peace.
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PLTE in Yangon Branch, Myanmar
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Yangon Branch in Myanmar started PTLE lessons every Saturday since Aug 12 with 25 participants.
Kham Yin, Director and Founder of Shan Women Development Network, said, “I am grateful to IWPG for allowing me to participate as a PLTE lecturer. My self-esteem increased by working as a PLTE lecturer, and I learned a lot by reviewing the assignments submitted from students from various areas.
The students reacted positively. Hnin Wah Thein said, “By practicing and applying the methods we have learned through peace education, we can reduce domestic violence and peace can spread to the community.”
Win Win Khaing said, “I’m really thankful to IWPG. Before, I didn’t know how to build a peaceful family. Through today’s lecture, I realized that I must build a family of peace.”
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Global Region 7 started the 3rd PLTE class in the Czech Republic on Aug 24. A total of 23 students are enrolled, and a large majority of them are Ukraine women. The Czech students will be in charge of each of the lectures for this class.
After the first lecture, Mariia Kostenko, one of the students, said, “I want to change the education system in Ukraine. I want to give children and youth the opportunity to trust themselves and learn how they can change the world for the better. “
Alexandra Yordanova said, “It is important for women to start from peace within themselves to spread to peace to other women through mutual respect, support, and love. I hope everyone can think, act, and choose their education freely.”
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Global Region 10 held the first lesson of Turkiye PLTE class 23-3-1 online on Aug 31.
One of the students, Sanem Arikan, said, “IWPG is an organization I truly want to continue to work with in the future. I want to apply peace education to programs for children, and after completing the education, I want to conduct peace activities in Turkiye. I want to be an influential peace lecturer.”
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On Aug 5, Global Region 11 held PLTE online. Five female members from Aruka Fiji and 10 Global Region 11 workers participated in the session.
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Dissemination of a Culture of Peace
-Various activities are being carried out with peace
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Mumbai holds Peace Poem Recital Contest in Mumbai, India
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On Aug 4, IWPG 5 held the IWPG Peace Poem Recital Competition on Aug 4 at St. Matthew’s High School & Junior College, located in Mumbai, India, which is one of IWPG’s cooperative countries.
Principal Larzy Varghees and 42 students and teachers participated. 13 of them became new members of IWPG and promised to voluntarily participate in peace work. Paulo, one of the participants, recited a poem on the desire for peace and said, “If all conflict and war come to an end, peace will be achieved around the world. War makes children lose their purity, which is why we must all work to spread peace.
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Philippines donates stationery for students
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On Aug 19, the IWPG took part in community volunteer activities initiated by Hon. Tyron Uy, the Governor of Davao de Oro together with IWPG Peace Publicity Ambassador, Sholai Lim. This project is to provide stationery to marginalized students. The plan was to plant the seed of peace, not the seed of conflict and war, in the hearts of the children.
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IWPG Workshop “Do you know your value?” in Czech
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On Aug 8, Global Region 7 co-hosted a workshop title "Do you know your value?" with Club of New Communication at Pilsen City Public Library. There were a total of 32 participants in the workshop on PLTE lesson #1.
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