Our collaboration with WILPF Lebanon initially set out to spotlight the critical connection between small arms proliferation and violence against women in Lebanon. However, the conflict between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, that escalated in September 2024, altered the situation dramatically. The crisis demanded swift adaptation to ensure not only the physical safety but also to support the psychological and emotional wellbeing of the peacebuilders impacted by the conflict.

For two intensive days, 17 peace activists from 10 Asian countries explored the different roles that women play in peacebuilding. For the participants, the meeting in the Philippine capital Manila was a rare “time out” to reflect on their work, gain new perspectives and strengthen solidarity across borders. We also discussed what added value our Feminists Connecting for Peace network can offer in order to gain insights for further networking and advocacy activities.

At the PeaceWomen Across the Globe-hosted webinar, “Leveraging feminist networks for advocacy”,  three inspiring and experienced activists and peacebuilders shared key insights on how and why feminist networks play a key role in advocacy. Rabab Baldo (Sudan), Uma Mishra-Newbery (Switzerland) and Karen Tañada (Philippines) collectively have decades of experience in feminist engagement shaped by diverse contexts and trajectories.

With our Feminist Peace Initiatives (FPI), we support local and feminist peace initiatives and projects of our network members. The aim is to promote innovative ideas for feminist peace work quickly, in a straightforward manner and for a limited period of time. In this way, we enable network members to try out new ideas that correspond to their own priorities and those of their communities.

Political work is a core concern of our organisation and of Feminists Connecting for Peace, our global network. The network and its activities provide a space for activists and women's organisations to share ideas and practices, work together on strategies and carry out political work together. Through the network we contribute to our goal of creating political impact.