By Our Correspondent
The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), Global Region 2, under the leadership of Regional Director Seo Yeon Lee, successfully held an international commemorative ceremony on April 26 to celebrate the 6th anniversary of April 26 International Women’s Peace Day. Held under the theme “One Voice for Peace,” the virtual event brought together over 300 high-level women leaders and peace activists from 12 countries including South Korea, Australia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Yemen, Jordan, Bahrain, Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.
In her opening remarks, Regional Director Seo Yeon Lee stated, “Women have long been victims of war, but now they stand tall as the architects of peace and the rebuilders of our future. We have gathered here to raise our voices as ‘One Voice for Peace’ beyond different languages, cultures, and time zones. I hope today becomes a true starting point for changing the world.”
IWPG Chairwoman Hyun Sook Yoon highlighted the global urgency for peace in her keynote speech. “Over the past six years, the world has continued to shed tears of blood due to the Syrian civil war, the crisis in Myanmar, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict,” she said. “Even Korea remains in a state of armistice, not peace. When women realize through peace education that they are capable of transforming the world, they become true agents of peace. I must be the beginning and embodiment of peace myself.”
The event featured powerful presentations from international peace experts. Faiza Abdel Rakib Salam, Deputy Minister of Culture of Yemen, remarked, “Women do not negotiate with weapons. They build trust within communities through dialogue. We must move beyond symbolic inclusion and place the blueprint for peace in women’s hands.”
Dr. Manal Amin Al-Eseis of Jordan emphasized the need for women’s voices in peace processes. “UN data shows that only 13% of peace agreements in recent decades included women at the negotiating table. This must change.”
As part of the event, IWPG launched its Peace Committee to focus on regions affected by conflict, including Ethiopia, Palestine, and Yemen. Riha Gama Chegaye (Ethiopia), Sana Izz Al-Deen Atary (Palestine), and Akhdar Mukhtar Nasser Bashjeera (Yemen) were appointed as Peace Committee Chairs.
During the World Women’s Peace Awards segment, the following honors were presented:
- Global Peace Solidarity Award: Amira Ali El-Jarmal (Jordan)
- International Peace Contribution Award: Arwa Fad Mohammed Saleh and Paeza Abdulla Kaib Salam Mujahid (Yemen)
- Global Peace Education Laureate Award: Huda Rifed Ahmed Al-Katawi (Iraq)
- Acknowledgement Plaques: Shin Seung Hee (South Korea), COLDES Organization (Colombia)
Global peace messages were delivered by several distinguished participants. H.E. Leonor Zalabata Torres, Permanent Representative of Colombia to the UN, stated, “Women symbolize the peace created by nature.” Mkanibwa Magoti Ngoboka, Chairperson of the Iringa Peace Committee (Tanzania), affirmed, “We are the light and the hope of peace.” Numera Mohsen (Saudi Arabia) pledged to “spread peace through education and training,” while Hiba Issa Odeh Haddadin (Jordan) asserted, “The power and solidarity of women can turn peace into reality.”
IWPG is a global women’s NGO registered with the UN ECOSOC and the Department of Global Communications. Operating 115 branches in 122 countries, it partners with over 800 organizations across 68 nations. Guided by its vision of achieving sustainable world peace, IWPG promotes global solidarity, women’s peace education, a culture of peace, and advocates for the enactment of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).
