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, hosting three major events to highlight the significance of peace education and advocate for justice and peace for women and girls in Africa.
Empowering Women through Reparations and Gender Justice
On March 10, IWPG co-hosted a high-level Side Event titled “Fostering Critical Pathways for Reparations, Gender Justice, and Peace for African Women and Girls: A Post-2025 Agenda.” This event, held at the Permanent Observer Mission to the UN Conference Hall, brought together influential African Union (AU) stakeholders, including:
- Gender Is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC)
- AU Women, Gender, Development and Youth Directorate (AU WGYD)
- AU International Center for Girl’s and Women’s Education in Africa (AU CIEFFA)
- UN Women
Marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) and the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the event featured notable speakers such as:
- Simone Yankey-Ouattara, Acting Coordinator, AU CIEFFA
- Jeon Na-Hyeong, Secretary General, IWPG
- Melissa Ruvimbo Kubvoruno, Chairperson, GIMAC Young Women Network
- Coumba Fall Venn, Executive Director, Femmes Africa Solidarité & GIMAC Network Coordinator
- Prudence Ngwenya, Director, AUC Women, Gender & Youth Directorate
A Global Call for Peace Education
Speaking at another Side Event on March 17, hosted by the Philippines at a UN conference hall, IWPG Chairwoman Hyun Sook Yoon emphasized the transformative power of peace education.
“Peace education enables women to become active agents in resolving urgent global issues. Let us take action for our children so that more empowered women can lead the world toward lasting peace,” she urged.
Strengthening Women’s Role in Peacebuilding
Beyond these engagements, IWPG organized two additional forums to promote women’s empowerment and peace education:
- March 12: Online NGO Parallel Event – “Women Learn Peace, Women Change the World”
- Over 600 participants from various countries joined this virtual discussion on the role of education in peacebuilding amid rising global conflicts.
- The event showcased successful peace education initiatives across Asia, Latin America, and Europe, illustrating the tangible impact of IWPG’s programs in local communities.
- March 18: Offline NGO Parallel Event – “Women Empowerment & Peace Education” (Co-hosted with BMI Trust and All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) at CCUN)
- Gyusun Lee, Director-General of Peace Education, IWPG, delivered a keynote address on “The Necessity of Strengthening Women’s Rights and Expanding Peace Education.”
- Ratna Joshi, Chairperson of BMIT, highlighted the role of education in empowering women, stating:
“Education is the foundation for women’s empowerment. It enables their full participation in decision-making, access to power, and ultimately leads to equality, development, and peace.”
A Milestone in the Global Women’s Movement
The UN CSW is part of the broader celebration of International Women’s Day (March 8), dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. Given that 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the BPfA and the 25th anniversary of UN SCR 1325, IWPG’s contributions at this year’s CSW hold profound significance in shaping the future of the global women’s movement.
By championing peace education and gender justice, IWPG continues to inspire and empower women worldwide, fostering a more just and peaceful society for future generations.
