Showing posts with label Kenya. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kenya. Show all posts

Monday, April 27, 2026

WPG Suncheon Branch Holds Regular Women’s Peace Network Meeting in Seonamsa Area… “Experiencing Peace in

April 27, 2026 0 Comments

IWPG Suncheon Branch Holds Regular Women’s 
Peace Network Meeting in Seonamsa Area… “Experiencing Peace in



The International Women’s Peace Group Suncheon branch recently hosted a meaningful gathering designed to experience peace in a natural setting. Held around Seonamsa Temple and nearby outdoor spaces, the event brought members together for connection and reflection. Participants engaged in conversations while enjoying the calm surroundings. The gathering offered an opportunity to revisit the importance of peace within the local community.

The event was also intended to strengthen a women-led peace network and encourage broader participation. Surrounded by blooming spring flowers, attendees spent time connecting in a relaxed and open atmosphere. They later took part in a creative activity using flowers to symbolize shared hopes for peace. This hands-on experience helped make the concept of peace feel more tangible and personal.

Interactive programs that followed further strengthened the bonds among members. Through cooperative activities, participants communicated naturally and built mutual understanding. Many shared that the clear weather and scenic surroundings brought a sense of inner refreshment. They also noted that the experience helped them feel closer to the idea of peace.

The organizer explained that the event was carefully planned to allow participants to experience peace firsthand in a natural environment. There are plans to continue expanding community-based, participatory programs in the future. Such efforts are expected to encourage more people to take interest in peace initiatives. The growing network reflects a shared commitment to building peace together.

Looking ahead, the Suncheon branch plans to continue a range of peace-related activities and programs. Special events and campaigns will help deepen engagement with the local community. Initiatives focused on strengthening women’s leadership are also expected to play an important role. Through consistent efforts, the value of peace is likely to spread even further.

Reference : https://vo.la/D0xZsvs
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Sunday, April 19, 2026

IWPG Peace-Love Art Contest Grows Fivefold in 8 Years… Children’s “Painting Peace” Moved the World

April 19, 2026 0 Comments

IWPG Peace-Love Art Contest Grows Fivefold in 8 Years… 
Children’s “Painting Peace” Moved the World



A special global stage where children share the value of peace through art continues to grow each year. Using colored pencils and brushes, they express the pain of war while imagining a brighter future. Their sincere voices through drawings are touching many people around the world. The pure perspective of children often delivers the message of peace more deeply than words.

The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Peace-Love Art Contest has now become a recognized international event. Since its launch in 2018, participation has increased significantly, drawing wider global attention. It is no longer just an art competition, but a platform where young people communicate through the theme of peace.

At the most recent contest, a child from Bangladesh received major attention for a powerful artwork. The drawing expressed a heartfelt desire for peace even in the midst of war and earned the highest honor. The emotional message created by a child resonated deeply beyond national borders.


Children’s imagination has also moved audiences in previous contests. Scenes of erasing the scars of war or flowers blooming over destroyed cities symbolized hope in creative ways. These artworks continue to deliver messages of healing and courage to viewers.

Experts say that artistic activities can also support emotional recovery. For children who have experienced war or conflict, art can become an important tool for expressing feelings and restoring inner peace. A single drawing can be the first step toward healing emotional wounds.

The 8th contest, scheduled for May, will be held under the theme My Peace Story. Students will be invited to freely express their own ideas of peace through art. As an event that welcomes broad participation, it is expected to create even greater empathy and communication across generations.

Reference : https://vo.la/AWWq4Qo
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Friday, April 17, 2026

The International Women’s Peace Group participates as a speaker at the NGO Forum during the UN CSW70.

April 17, 2026 0 Comments

The International Women’s Peace Group participates 
as a speaker at the NGO Forum during the UN CSW70.




In the global community, access to justice for women is increasingly seen as a cornerstone of sustainable peace rather than just a basic right. There is a growing understanding that true social justice begins with ensuring that women and girls are equally protected within legal systems. Alongside this shift, international organizations and NGOs are actively working together to address structural barriers. This reflects a broader recognition that peace must be built on tangible rights, not just ideals.

At a recent forum held in New York, the challenges faced by women and girls in accessing justice—particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa—were brought into focus. Experts and advocates from various countries discussed how institutional limitations and societal barriers restrict the realization of rights. There was a strong emphasis on the need for international cooperation to develop practical solutions. The conversation moved beyond identifying problems and toward implementing actionable strategies.

One of the speakers highlighted that access to justice for women is not optional but essential. She pointed out that when women are legally protected and respected, it creates the foundation for stability and peace across society. This perspective frames women’s rights not just as individual concerns, but as key elements of collective well-being. In this sense, legal protection becomes a fundamental building block for peace.

The discussions also placed strong emphasis on the importance of gender-sensitive legal support. Participants agreed that providing effective legal services for women and girls is a responsibility that governments must fulfill. They also noted that existing inequalities within judicial systems often hinder access to justice. As a result, concrete policy measures and practical solutions were proposed to address these gaps.

It was particularly emphasized that improving women’s legal status can help reduce community conflicts and contribute to peacebuilding. This is especially evident in conflict-affected regions, where empowering women often leads to greater social stability. There was a shared understanding of the need for a coordinated international response. Increasingly, women are being recognized as central actors in the pursuit of peace.

The forum also reinforced the idea that peace must go beyond declarations and be embedded in systems and real-world practices. It highlighted the importance of expanding women-led leadership in peace initiatives. Collaborative efforts among countries and organizations are expected to continue in promoting a culture of peace. While gradual, these changes are shaping a clear and meaningful global trend.

Reference : https://vo.la/IpKKlBz
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Wednesday, January 7, 2026

IWPG Global Region 2 Signs MOU with ASOVIAFOR, an Association of Victims of the Colombian Conflict

January 07, 2026 0 Comments

IWPG Global Region 2 Signs MOU with ASOVIAFOR, 
an Association of Victims of the Colombian Conflict




On January 1, 2026, IWPG Global Region 2 held an official meeting with ASOVIAFOR, an association of victims of the Colombian conflict, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for mutual cooperation. This meeting went beyond a symbolic agreement and served as a space to reflect on peacebuilding led by women and victims themselves. The partnership marked a meaningful connection between an international women’s peace organization and a South American victims’ alliance. What stood out was the focus on voices rooted in lived experience.

ASOVIAFOR is a civil society alliance formed primarily by women who have directly experienced forced displacement, loss of family members, and sexual violence during Colombia’s prolonged armed conflict. Rather than remaining passive recipients of aid, the victims themselves became the driving force of the organization. Through regional networks of women and affected families, they have continuously worked toward community recovery and peacebuilding. Their work reflects a collective effort to rebuild life beyond conflict.

Beyond victim support, the organization has focused on healing local communities through shared memory and lived experience. By promoting women’s social participation, providing peace and reconciliation education, and encouraging community dialogue, ASOVIAFOR has developed grassroots peacebuilding models. These efforts have positioned the group as a key actor within Colombia’s victim-centered civil society movement. Their accumulated experiences have become valuable resources for peace.

This agreement is significant as a starting point for expanding a cooperation model in which victims and women actively participate as agents of peace, beyond state- or system-centered approaches. It also highlights a structure where local realities are respected within international solidarity. Through collaboration between organizations, the language of peace is given space to take root on the ground. It truly reflected the idea of peace built together.

Following the MOU, IWPG plans to engage in further in-depth discussions regarding specific areas of cooperation. Based on mutual trust and shared understanding, both parties aim to explore phased and sustainable collaboration. Rather than focusing on immediate outcomes, the emphasis is on building long-term partnerships. It reinforced the idea that peace grows through relationships.

At the signing ceremony, Global Director Seo Yeon Lee stated, “Peace does not become reality through declarations alone, but through education and solidarity within local communities.” She expressed hope that this agreement would serve as a meaningful starting point for women and communities affected by conflict to stand as agents of peace themselves. Her remarks emphasized practice. The direction of peace grounded in reality was clearly conveyed.

In response, ASOVIAFOR representative Rosi Albani Perez Belalcazar noted that collaboration with IWPG would be a significant step in empowering women at the center of conflict-related suffering. She expressed hope that the agreement would mark a turning point where victims are no longer silent subjects, but active builders of peace. The emphasis on victims’ voices stood out strongly. Her words captured the essence of the partnership.

This MOU is meaningful in that it lays the groundwork for expanding women- and victim-led peace solidarity beyond Colombia to the broader South American region. It is expected to serve as an opportunity to share grassroots peace practices with the international community. Small connections have the potential to grow into broader alliances. It will be worth watching how this collaboration unfolds.

Reference : https://vo.la/45ssShr
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Tuesday, July 29, 2025

The Wave of HWPL Peace Blossoming In Zambia, Kenya and Malaysia

July 29, 2025 0 Comments

The Wave of HWPL Peace Blossoming In Zambia, Kenya and Malaysia




Following the successful launch of HWPL peace education in Zambia earlier this year, the initiative has now reached a new milestone in institutionalization. A regional MOU signing ceremony was recently held at Lusaka Girls Secondary School, where 11 schools from the central region pledged to implement peace education. This MOU follows the Zambian government’s April announcement to integrate peace education into its national curriculum. School principals and education officials gathered to witness the moment, along with a presentation on HWPL's peace education curriculum.

The regional education leader from Lusaka Central emphasized, “Peace begins in the classroom,” highlighting the crucial role of schools. Principals not only signed the MOU but also publicly pledged their commitment, as HWPL Zambia vowed continuous support. Today, HWPL’s peace education is being implemented in 852 schools across 102 countries, with more than 2,700 instructors worldwide. The program emphasizes helping students learn and practice values of harmony, coexistence, and peaceful conflict resolution.

On June 15, Dagoretti High School in Kenya hosted the 12th Anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace. It brought together students, citizens, and educators in a heartfelt celebration of peace and unity. The school band performed stirring music, and a speech by a Peace Club leader left a powerful impression on attendees. The highlight of the day was planting 150 trees, symbolizing seeds of peace and hope for the future.



As the event concluded, attendees shared laughter and joyful moments during a lighthearted cultural session. The group photo that wrapped up the event captured not just faces, but a spirit of solidarity and commitment to peace. An HWPL representative called the event “a festival of hope and solidarity,” stating that peace begins with simple, intentional actions. Just like planting a single tree, they stressed that consistent small efforts can change the world.

On May 30 in Kuching, Malaysia, peace took the form of environmental action through a coastal cleanup. The event marked World Environment Day and World Oceans Day, with around 20 youth volunteers taking part. They worked together to collect plastic waste and other debris to help restore the beach’s natural beauty. The HWPL Malaysia branch leader remarked, “Protecting the environment is part of building a peaceful society.”



That same day, a Peace Walk co-hosted by ICATS University saw over 200 citizens walking together through the streets of Kuching. Participants included youth leaders, politicians, educators, and everyday citizens. Malaysian MP Dato Lo Khere Chiang said, “Peace is a bridge to unity, and individual involvement is what strengthens it.” He emphasized that global peace starts with daily communication, urging everyone to do their part.

Reference : https://vo.la/qcMwerq
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