CHEONGJU (South Korea): Women leaders working for peace in regions scarred by war came together for the 2025 International Women’s Peace Conference, hosted by the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG, Chairwoman Na Yeong Jeon) on September 19 at Enford Hotel, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do Province.
Held under the theme “Beyond Conflict: Women’s Peace Leadership toward Hope and Recovery,” the event brought together 800 participants from Korea and overseas to explore sustainable peacebuilding models. Among the participants were H.E. Bouaré Bintou Founé Samaké, former Minister for Women of Mali; Dr. Faiza Abdulraqeb Sallam, Undersecretary of Yemen’s Ministry of Culture; and Hon. Aisha Al-Mahdi Shalabi, Member of Libya’s National Assembly—all representing nations that have lived through conflict.
The first session featured live peace messages from women leaders. Hon. Aisha Shalabi of Libya spoke on “The meaning of peace in an era of war,” while Mali’s Bouaré Samaké highlighted women’s leadership in recovery and transition. Former Belize First Lady Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow and WILPF’s Dr. Amrita Kapur discussed inclusive leadership and the institutionalization of peace through the UN’s Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Participants also shared grassroots success stories, including peacebuilding in Mindanao, Philippines, and feminist foreign policy in Mongolia. Experts from INLW and other groups analyzed how women’s participation in global issues like climate and water security fosters sustainable solutions.
Sessions further emphasized the institutionalization of peace through education, with contributions from South Africa’s DIRCO, IWPG’s Peace Committee, and voices from divided regions such as the Korean peninsula. Afternoon discussions showcased practical peace education cases, including Côte d’Ivoire’s national programs, Yemen’s conflict-zone initiatives, and Mongolia’s military-led peace training.
Following the conference, a Peace Family Workshop gathered 90 IWPG representatives, ambassadors, and branch leaders from Korea and abroad to chart future strategies for women-led peacebuilding. Side activities included the International Loving-Peace Art Competition and the Peace Culture Lounge, offering foreign guests hands-on experiences with Korean traditions.
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Chairwoman Na Yeong Jeon said, “This event brings together women worldwide who have not stopped working and uniting for peace despite conflict and war. This moment will be a meaningful platform to discuss concrete action items for sustainable peace.”
The conference was interpreted into six languages and livestreamed in two additional languages, reflecting IWPG’s global reach.
IWPG, an NGO registered with UN ECOSOC and UN DGC, currently operates 115 branches in 122 countries with 808 partner organizations across 68 nations, working to build peace networks, promote women’s peace education, and support the legislation of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).
