International Women's Day is celebrated globally on 8 March to reflect on the progress made in gender equality, to celebrate the inspirational work of women, and to recognise the challenges.
This year’s theme is 'Empowering women, Empowering humanity: Picture it!'. It envisions a world where each woman and girl can exercise her choices, such as participating in politics, getting an education, having an income, and living in societies free from violence and discrimination.
In the run up to International Women's Day 2015, we are showcasing the stories of some of our inspiring peacebuilders – both men and women – from around the world, and their views on gender equality and peace.
Read the stories as they are published by clicking on the names below:
"Working for peacebuilding gives me inner satisfaction and contentment."
"If we do not include gender equality within our peacebuilding work, we would be hypocritical in our approaches."
"The moment when I saw the smiles and happiness on both father and son’s faces, I felt very happy."
"International Women's Day is an opportunity to highlight women’s valuable, but often unrecognised, contributions to the non-violent resolution of conflict."
"There are many examples of women becoming peacebuilding champions, and making an enormous contribution to end violence and bring peace."
"The Tausug women have been transformed into agents of change and from victims of conflict to empowered women and peacebuilders in their communities."
"My work as a peacebuilder is a commitment to build a society where men and women work together to achieve equality."
"Gender equality opens the door for better power dynamics, less abuse, less trauma, and healthier, happier individuals and societies."
Bertin, DRC
"Gender equality in peacebuilding is important because peacebuilding concerns and should include everyone."
Gulru, Caucasus
"Women’s Day should not be only one day – it should be every day, so that women are recognised for who they are and the difference they make."
Richard, Uganda
"Gender equality is important in peacebuilding because of the different experiences of women and men in conflict."
Alba, Colombia
"By achieving equality in power relations, our differences and conflicts can be transformed to bring about positive and constructive outcomes."
Gender and peacebuilding – our approach
International Alert supports the equal participation of all members of society, including men, women, girls, boys and gender minorities. We do this by researching the role that gender plays in peace and conflict around the world, and advocating for the integration of gender issues in peacebuilding and security processes locally and internationally.
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