The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), led by Chairwoman Hyun Sook Yoon, actively participated in the 69th UN Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW) from March 10 to 21. IWPG hosted three key events to emphasize the role of peace education and advocate for justice and equality for women and girls worldwide.
On March 10, IWPG co-hosted a Side Event titled “Fostering Critical Pathways for Reparations, Gender Justice, and Peace for African Women and Girls: A Post-2025 Agenda” with major African Union (AU) stakeholders. These included the Gender Is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC), AU Women, Gender, Development and Youth Directorate (AU WGYD), AU International Center for Girls’ and Women’s Education in Africa (AU CIEFFA), and UN Women. The event took place at the Permanent Observer Mission to the UN Conference Hall.
This event marked the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) and the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Key speakers included Simone Yankey-Ouattara, Acting Coordinator of AU CIEFFA; Jeon Na-Hyeong, Secretary General of IWPG; Melissa Ruvimbo Kubvoruno, Chairperson of GIMAC Young Women Network; Coumba Fall Venn, Executive Director of Femmes Africa Solidarité and GIMAC Network Coordinator; and Prudence Ngwenya, Director of AUC Women, Gender & Youth Directorate.
On March 17, at a Side Event hosted by the Philippines at a UN conference hall, Chairwoman Hyun Sook Yoon highlighted the necessity of women’s involvement in peacebuilding, stating, “Peace education enables women to become active agents of peace. Let’s take action for our children and ensure more empowered women contribute to a peaceful world.”
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IWPG also hosted two other major events. On March 12, the organization led an online NGO parallel event titled “Women Learn Peace, Women Change the World.” Over 600 participants from various countries attended the event to discuss the impact of IWPG Women’s Peace Education programs in Asia, Latin America, and Europe. The forum showcased success stories and explored ways to expand the program’s reach.
On March 18, IWPG partnered with BMI Trust and the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) to co-host an in-person NGO parallel event at the Church Center for the United Nations (CCUN). The event, themed “Women Empowerment & Peace Education,” featured discussions on the importance of strengthening women’s rights and expanding peace education. Gyusun Lee, Director-General of Peace Education at IWPG, delivered a keynote speech on “The Necessity of Strengthening Women’s Rights and Expanding Peace Education.”
Ratna Joshi, Chairperson of BMIT, emphasized the significance of education in her speech, stating, “Education is the foundation of women’s empowerment. It allows women to participate in decision-making and access leadership opportunities, ultimately promoting equality, development, and peace.”
The UN CSW events align with International Women’s Day on March 8, which celebrates women’s social, economic, and political achievements while advocating for gender equality. As this year marks significant milestones for global women’s rights movements, IWPG’s participation at UN CSW underscores its commitment to fostering peace and empowerment through education.
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