💡 How Can Women Lead in Peacebuilding When Their Voices Are Overlooked?

Women are at the heart of conflict resolution, social cohesion, and post-war reconstruction, yet they are often left out of formal peace negotiations. The Sawa for Sustainable Peace initiative was designed to change that reality.

Over four intensive days in Basra, I worked with women leaders, activists, and grassroots organizations to equip them with the tools, strategies, and networks needed to drive sustainable peace efforts. This was not just a training—it was the launch of a movement empowering women to claim their rightful place in security, governance, and reconciliation processes.

📌 Breaking Barriers: Key Themes Explored

📌 Women as Peacebuilders, Not Just Victims
Discussions and activities challenged the stereotypical portrayal of women as passive victims by highlighting their historical roles in conflict resolution and rebuilding communities.

📌 The Link Between Climate Change & Conflict in Iraq
The participants explored how environmental degradation, resource scarcity, and displacement impact women disproportionately, and how climate justice must be part of peacebuilding strategies.

📌 Security, Protection & Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention
Participants developed strategic frameworks for responding to GBV, working alongside law enforcement and civil society organizations to enhance protection mechanisms.

📌 Policy & Advocacy: Translating UNSCR 1325 into Local Action
The training connected global commitments—like UNSCR 1325 and Iraq’s National Action Plan—to localized strategies for Basra. Women developed advocacy roadmaps to demand their inclusion in policymaking and security structures.

🚀 Transforming Learning into Action

This initiative was not just about discussions—it was about implementation. Participants engaged in hands-on strategy-building, scenario exercises, and action plan development.

✔ Created the Sawa Women’s Peace Coalition, a grassroots movement ensuring women’s voices shape peace processes in Basra and beyond.
✔ Developed action plans focused on economic empowerment, legal advocacy, and security sector engagement.
✔ Designed community-based awareness campaigns to challenge gender stereotypes and promote women’s leadership in peacebuilding.
✔ Established key partnerships with local institutions and government entities to advance gender-sensitive policies.

🌍 Why This Matters Beyond Basra

The impact of this initiative extends far beyond one city. When women are at the forefront of peacebuilding, societies are more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.

The Sawa model is now positioned as a blueprint for integrating women into security, conflict prevention, and governance efforts across Iraq.