Gender justice, political participation and social inclusion are prerequisites for lasting peace. But too little is being done in peace policy to overcome structural violence, economic and social discrimination. Too little attention is being paid to the special situation of women and girls in armed conflicts and war. As a feminist peace organisation, we work together with our project partners and peace activists from all over the world to promote peace and demilitarisation. In doing so, we strive for structural change and towards peace and gender justice. Our work is based on universally accepted human rights standards and follows a holistic feminist approach.

Since the signing of the peace agreement in Colombia, we have been actively supporting the participation of conflict-affected women and marginalised groups in its implementation. Together with our project partners, we are committed to ensuring that their experiences and concerns are included in the transition to a sustainable, peaceful society.

Women were directly affected by the ten-year conflict in Nepal, many as combatants. Yet, they were effectively excluded from the peace negotiations and their access to transitional justice processes remains severely restricted. With our project, we support conflict-affected women in healing their war traumas, building local networks and gaining access to political decision-makers.

The armed conflict over self-determination between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the Muslim majority region of Mindanao lasted more than 50 years. Women were already driving forces in the peace process. Since the 2014 peace agreement, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has been under development. This is now a key moment for women to anchor their demands for a gender-equal society within the new political and social structures.

The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence – known as the Istanbul Convention – addresses gender-based and domestic violence in Europe and enforces the rights of victims of violence to support and protection. It defines gender-based violence as a human rights violation and a form of discrimination. The Convention entered into force in 2014; Switzerland ratified it in 2017. Civil society plays a significant role in monitoring its implementation.