From the streets of Northern Ireland to the war-torn landscapes of Liberia and throughout the enduring tensions in Israel/Palestine, women have commonly demonstrated an undying commitment to navigating patriarchal institutions to advocate for peace. The successes of grassroots women peacebuilders and their unique perspectives on conflict resolution underscore the urgent need for greater recognition and involvement of women in shaping peace agendas and building sustainable solutions.
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The ongoing war in Israel/Palestine brings its unique issues to the table, but women peacebuilders are the common thread. The structure of peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians has evolved over the years; various formats have emerged, and different political leaders have come and gone. Attempts to negotiate a lasting resolution to the conflict have not been successful, even as some well-known frameworks have been established. Throughout peace efforts, like in Northern Ireland and Liberia before, women have been highly influential figures behind the scenes.
Women must resort to grassroots and community-building efforts when left out of formal processes. Women Wage Peace and Women of the Sun are Israeli and Palestinian groups that work together for peace and dialogue. They acknowledge that each side has its own beliefs and that trying to convince one another is not the way to move forward. These powerful Israeli and Palestinian women each have their own organizations and communities, but they prioritize working together. Israel/Palestine needs more of these voices, especially with the ongoing Israel Gaza War.
The lack of women’s inclusion in peace and security decision making has significant implications for international relations. It is important to use peace as a strategy, and policy recommendations should support these aims. These recommendations should target policy actors in the international community, including governments and states. Peace negotiations should be more gender inclusive. Understanding how gender influences a conflict’s dynamic is essential for the short- and long-term stability of a region. International policies and legislation need to be gender sensitive to address the needs of all groups significantly affected by conflict. Women and girls often bear the brunt of conflict-related violence, displacement, and economic insecurity, yet their needs are frequently overlooked in post-conflict reconstruction efforts.
