The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), through its Global Region 2 led by Director Seoyeon Lee, successfully held an online peace workshop on May 24, 2025, aimed at raising awareness of peace and enhancing women’s participation in building peaceful societies in Lebanon.
The workshop, initiated by Josiane Hajj Moussa, CEO of the prominent Lebanese media outlet Beirut Times, brought together around 100 women from Lebanon and other Middle Eastern countries. Centered around the theme “Women’s Role in Peacebuilding,” the event aimed to build a sustainable women’s peace network and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
Sophie We, the workshop moderator, stressed the importance of women’s involvement in peace, stating, “The Middle East is the cradle of civilization, yet it faces a great need for peace today. Women are not just victims of conflict but essential pillars in rebuilding post-conflict communities.”
Patricia Elias of the Every Woman Treaty emphasized the need for gender equality in decision-making, noting, “The UN recommends 50:50 participation of women at peace negotiation tables.”
Josiane Hajj Moussa stated, “Peace begins in the heart, mind, and actions. While our ways of life may differ, the path to peace is shared. We also plan to hold an offline workshop soon and continue spreading peace through our Peace Letter campaign.”
Naglaa Saad, Director of the Yemen Rural Development Foundation, highlighted that women are wise and capable peacemakers, while journalist Somayeh Malekian shared her personal challenges in contributing to peace as a neutral media professional.
The workshop also introduced the “Peace Lecturer Training Education (PLTE)” program, offered in Arabic and English. Graduates are certified to teach peace education in their communities, and the program is recognized as an effective tool for promoting SDG 4 and SDG 16.
IWPG Global Region 2 plans to expand initiatives that build women’s capacities in peacebuilding efforts in Lebanon and across the Middle East.
IWPG is an international women’s NGO registered with the UN’s ECOSOC and Department of Global Communications (DGC), headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. It operates 115 branches in 122 countries and collaborates with 808 partner organizations across 68 countries. IWPG actively promotes the legal implementation of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) and the global spread of a culture of peace.
