Over the past decade we have seen an increased interest in peacebuilding on the local level, and in religious actors’ role in peacebuilding. Religious actors are often linked up to formal peace processes, while local peace structures tend to play important roles in conflict prevention at the local level. This thus represent two arenas for peacebuilding where women should be included, but where they often face considerable, and similar, challenges to meaningful participation. This event will explore how to address some of these challenges, in order to contribute to opening up new arenas for women’s participation in peacebuilding.

What are good strategies for achieving meaningful participation for women when working with male religious actors in peacebuilding, and with local peace structures?

How are these arenas changed as a result of increased and more meaningful participation of women?

What changes do women experience as a result of participating in these arenas?

The event will draw on Norwegian Church Aid, World Council of Churches and ACT Alliance’s broad experience from facilitating women’s participation in peacebuilding at different levels.

The list of speakers includes:

• Rev. Elizabeth Aya Noah Galla, Ordained Minister with the Episcopal Church of South Sudan.
• Romana Bashir, Executive Director of Peace and Development Foundation, Pakistan.
• Muzhgan Jalal, Peacebuilding Programme Coordinator, NCA Afghanistan.

Practitioners will share first-hand experiences opening arenas for women's participation in peacebuilding. Findings from a qualitative study of local peace structures in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mali and South Sudan will be discussed.

Registration here.