IWPG Newsletter No. 92
2026.08.01
Peace can sometimes feel distant—almost beyond our reach. The farther away it seems in distance, the more elusive it often becomes. Yet even amid the harshest circumstances, peace remains one of the most precious and radiant values that sustains lives across the world.
For women, peace is the foundation that safeguards everyday life, nurtures children's learning and dreams, and creates a warm and secure home.
In July, the IWPG delegation spent meaningful time in deep solidarity with women across Africa. In this 92nd edition of our newsletter, we bring you the stories of African women today—women who are expanding the path to peace as they work toward a better tomorrow.
Since the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) in 2000, the international community has increasingly recognized women not merely as those in need of protection, but as indispensable agents of peace. Over the past two decades, the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda has become firmly embedded in the international normative framework, driving sustained efforts around the world to expand women's participation and leadership in peacebuilding.
Yet today, as armed conflicts spread and geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty deepen, the women's agenda is steadily losing ground on the global policy agenda. Discussions on women and peace are likewise being pushed behind the dominant narratives of security and economics, while countless women are once again bearing the heaviest burden of conflict and violence. At a moment like this, we are compelled to ask once more:
Where does peace begin?
And where should we look for the answer today?
The torch of peace spreading across Africa (Photo courtesy of IWPG Cape Town)
Against this backdrop, the reason IWPG is placing Africa at the center of its efforts is clear. Africa is no longer simply a recipient of international assistance; it has become one of the regions that has most actively institutionalized the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. With major UN Women and UNFPA offices set to relocate to Nairobi, Kenya, next year, the continent is emerging as a new hub for international cooperation on women's issues.
This is not to suggest that the challenges are any less formidable. Deep-rooted patriarchal norms, recurring armed conflicts, gender-based violence, and the alarming rise of femicide continue to expose a significant gap between the ideals championed by the international community and the realities many women face. Yet precisely because these challenges remain so urgent, the determination and potential of African women to build peace have never been more evident.
During this visit, IWPG traveled to six African countries—Kenya, Burundi, South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Lesotho—meeting with government institutions, international organizations, civil society actors, women's organizations, and local women to discuss their perspectives on women and peace.
What left the deepest impression, however, was the voice of the women themselves. Government officials spoke of their desire to "take the next step together with IWPG." Civil society organizations and women's groups asked not what IWPG could do for them, but what they could do together for the women and peace of their own countries.
This visit to Africa reaffirmed why IWPG regards the continent as a strategic partner for the future. Because what the world needs today is not more competition, but greater solidarity—not more silence, but more people choosing to put peace into action.
From late June to mid July, the IWPG delegation (HQ & Global Region 2, 6, 12) visited Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Burundi, and Lesotho in Africa! ✈️✨
Over a span of 3 weeks, IWPG met with 1,500 local women leaders and peace advocates, building a stronger peace network across Africa. This newsletter will give you a glimpse of the passion and commitment witnessed on the ground.
July 9, "Voices of African Women" Forum held at Cape Town City Hall in South Africa
Through more than 20 high-level meetings with the African Union (AU) and its affiliated institutions, national governments, local authorities, and civil society organizations, IWPG laid a strong foundation for the long-term implementation of its Peace Lecturer Training Education (PLTE) across Africa. 🤝🕊️
From Nairobi to Addis Ababa, IWPG's local branches and partner organizations joined forces to host a series of Women's Peace Forums and conferences in seven major cities. Through inspiring presentations by local women leaders and open, meaningful dialogue, participants gained a deeper understanding of—and shared commitment to addressing—the peace challenges facing Africa today.
- 🇰🇪 Kenya (Nairobi) | Kenya Women's Peace Conference (Jun 30)
- 🌍 Burundi (Bujumbura) | AU PANCOGEd II Side Event (Jul 4)
- 🇿🇦 South Africa (Johannesburg) | PLTE Graduation Ceremony (Jul 5)
- 🇹🇿 Tanzania (Dar es Salaam) | Tanzania Women's Peace Forum (Jul 9)
- 🇿🇦 South Africa (Cape Town) | Voices of African Women (Jul 9)
- 🇱🇸 Lesotho (Maseru) | Lesotho Women Leaders Peace Forum (Jul 13)
- 🇪🇹 Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) | Women's Peace Forum (Jul 14)
The IWPG held a Side Event with Plan International Malawi and the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare of Malawi.
Beyond fostering exchanges, the visit also included high-level meetings aimed at linking peace initiatives with national policies. The delegation met with officials from Kenya's Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services; the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA); the African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security (WPS); Ergogie Tesfaye, Ethiopia's Minister of Women and Social Affairs; the Minister of Information and Communication Technology of Namibia; and government representatives from South Africa and Malawi to discuss expanding peace education and advancing future cooperation.
Among the initiatives discussed were a peace education model that integrates dialogue traditions led by traditional queens in Malawi and the production of a sign language peace education documentary for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These locally rooted approaches are expected to broaden the reach of peacebuilding.
The delegation also laid the institutional foundation for sustaining long-term peace initiatives. IWPG signed MOUs with more than 10 partner institutions—including Kenya's National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the City of Johannesburg, as well as local governments, schools, and civil society organizations. In addition, IWPG co-hosted a PLTE graduation ceremony at Johannesburg City Hall, where approximately 200 new peace instructors completed the program.
Several figures and participants showed their enthusiasm.
"IWPG's PLTE is not merely a theory, but a powerful tool that can solve the problems in our community."
"I am sure that women can become the heroes of peace to transform the society beyond their families."
Please continue to support and follow IWPG's active efforts so that the warm winds of peace from Africa may spread across the world! 🔥
On 13 July, G2 met with H.E. Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, the AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), at the AU headquarters to discuss cooperation on women's peace education and leadership. The two sides agreed to work together on developing WPS education content, implementing peace education programs, and launching pilot initiatives.
G2 participated in the AU PANCOGEd II, held in Bujumbura from 2 to 4 July, where it exhibited award-winning drawings from the ILPAC and operated an IWPG booth. Throughout the conference, education officials, international organizations, and civil society representatives from across Africa expressed appreciation for the children's messages of peace.
G12 Kenya Branch hosted the 2026 Kenya Women's Peace Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Nairobi on 30 June. Attended by around 100 participants, including government officials and members of parliament, the conference highlighted the need for peace in Kenya and established a foundation for promoting a culture of peace through the signing of MOUs with four local organizations.
G6 held a Women Peace Instructor Graduation Ceremony at Johannesburg City Hall on 5 July. Around 200 graduates celebrated their achievement through a "Light for Africa" performance and a Peace Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to promoting peace in their communities.
IWPG signed an MOU with the City of Johannesburg at City Hall on 8 July, in the presence of Executive Mayor Dada Morero, the Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, and the Mayor's advisor. The two parties agreed to prioritize PLTE for City of Johannesburg officials. Click for more>>
G6 hosted the Voices of African Women conference at Cape Town City Hall on 9 July. Attended by around 170 government officials and community leaders from across South Africa, the event introduced PLACE, IWPG's peace narrative archiving project, to Africa for the first time, drawing an enthusiastic response from participants.
G6 signed an MOU with Glenvista High School on 7 July. To mark the occasion, students wore custom-made yellow T-shirts, while teachers painted the IWPG logo on a school mural, symbolizing their hope that the seeds of peace would grow into a strong tree.
G6 hosted a peace forum at Immanuel Hostel Hall on 13 July, attended by around 120 participants, including the Representative of the Maseru Peace Committee, the Commissioner of Police, and other senior leaders. The event was covered by the Lesotho National Broadcasting Service (LNBS), followed by a Maseru Peace Committee meeting to discuss future directions for local peacebuilding efforts.
G2 hosted a Women's Peace Forum at the Nendiwe Feminist Wellness and Healing Centre in Tanzania on 9 July. Co-hosted with the Tanzania chapter of the African Women's Leadership Network (AWLN), the forum concluded with an agreement to strengthen ongoing exchange and cooperation through joint initiatives.
During its visit to Tanzania in July, G2 signed MOUs with two organizations: Tanzania Child Welfare (TCW) and Gazetini Media. The partners agreed to work together to promote the values of peace in local communities by building on their respective expertise and networks. Click for more>>
G2 also expanded its peace cooperation network in Ethiopia by signing MOUs with five organizations: Kal Community Development Organization, the Ethiopian Women Scholars Association for the Visually Impaired, the Ethiopian Media Women Association (EMWA), Tarkanfi Sustainable Development (TSD), and Soliyana Media.
On 14 July, G2 met with the State Minister of Education of Ethiopia and President of the Ethiopian Women's Federation (EWF) to discuss future cooperation. Sharing a common commitment to the value of peace education for women and future generations, the two sides agreed to expand collaboration in the areas of education and women's leadership.
On 12 July, G2 met with President Mena T. Gichile of New Generation University in Ethiopia and signed an MOU. President Gichile agreed to appoint a coordinator for a pilot peace education program, with implementation scheduled to begin after September this year.
Global Region 4 organized preliminary rounds of the 8th ILPAC in six countries across Africa and Asia, including Burundi, Rwanda, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Thailand, from May to July. A total of 598 participants joined the events, with adult participation programs added to share the meaning of peace.
Global Region 4 conducted Women's Peace Education (PLTE) in Thailand, Cameroon, Myanmar, East Timor, and Burkina Faso. Nineteen new participants and 36 returning instructors refreshed their training, strengthening their capacity as peace educators.
Global Region 10 conducted a PLTE orientation session for around 40 students from the Daxon Health University and local women in Islamabad, Pakistan, on June 27. Participants shared their thoughts on the meaning of peace and the role of women.
The Melbourne Branch co-hosted a "Women's Empowerment Multicultural Gala" with the Wyndham Women's Magazine on June 26. Around 70 women leaders from diverse cultural backgrounds attended, including a member of the Victorian Parliament, the Deputy Mayor of Wyndham City, and city councillors.
The Melbourne Branch held a PLTE information session on July 7 for the "Daughters of Jerusalem," a South Sudanese migrant women's community in Dandenong. Participants shared the challenges migrant women face and expressed their intention to join PLTE.
The Ulaanbaatar Branch held a Peace Seminar on June 6 at the Khutag-Öndör Cultural Center in Bulgan Aimag. Themed "Peace, Women and AI," the event drew around 270 women and was broadcast live on local television, raising awareness of IWPG.
The Ulaanbaatar Branch conducted peace education on June 4 for staff of the Khövsgöl Aimag Lifelong Learning Center and local teachers, producing 18 graduates. An MOU was also signed with the center to ensure continued delivery of peace education.
Global Region 5 partnered with BBCE to hold Sri Lanka's first ILPAC regional preliminary round. Five BBCE branches and five public, semi-public, and private schools participated, with over 400 students registered. The BBCE Director expressed hope for a continued partnership with IWPG.
The Jakarta Branch held the inauguration of a Peace Committee and a "Peace House" in Aceh on June 18. Established as a hub for peace education for local women and children, the event was attended by officials from the Aceh Women's Empowerment Office and local organization representatives.
The Jakarta Branch successfully hosted the "Voices of Peace" conference in Aceh on June 19, attended by around 170 participants. MOU signing ceremonies followed with partner institutions including Ubudiah University, Ar-Raniry State Islamic University, and others.
The Johor Bahru Branch hosted the 8th ILPAC regional preliminary round on June 21 at the Sultan Ismail Library. Around 60 middle and high school students from Johor Bahru participated, with 6 students advancing to the national finals.
IWPG held the Korea Preliminary Award Ceremony for the 8th ILPAC on July 25 at Seoul City Hall (Seosomun Annex). Out of over 3,200 student participants, 48 students received awards and shared their acceptance speeches during an event that celebrated the spirit of peace.
The Seosan Branch participated as a Taegukgi Honor Guard in the 2nd Seosan Haemi Independence Movement Commemoration on June 18. Members assisted with transporting a large Taegukgi flag and supporting the event, contributing to local community service and peace culture promotion.
The Busan-West Branch conducted volunteer service on July 15 at a senior center in Sajik 2-dong, Dongnae-gu, Busan, delivering buckwheat soba noodles, refreshments, and hand fans to elderly residents, conveying warmth and care. Read more>>
The Cheonan Branch participated in anti-drug awareness activities on June 26 to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse, alongside the Cheonan Drug Prevention Movement Council. On July 6, members also visited Cheonan Medical Center to promote drug hazard prevention for medical staff and hospital visitors.
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