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At 8pm every evening since February 1, 2021 hundreds of thousands across Myanmar bang pots and pans to demonstrate their non-violent resistance to the military coup. This symbolic act is part of the Red Ribbon campaign, a nationwide Civil Disobedience Movement. The movement’s message is clear, explains May Sabe Phyu, Director of the Gender Equality Network (GEN) and a member of WASL: “We are not afraid; we are resisting the coup.”

Women Peacebuilders on the Frontlines of COVID-19

As coronavirus sweeps across the world, many of our WASL partners, alongside other women peacebuilders, have pivoted their work to respond to COVID-19 and related issues. These women peacebuilders are again on the frontlines, shifting from building peace in their communities and countries to working to prevent the spread of a pandemic. When civil society is strong and independent, CSOs can respond to a variety of crises, from war to a pandemic.

Trust, Truth, and Transforming Violent Extremism

Far-right extremist ideology has found fertile ground in many countries amid the pandemic, and the movements embracing it are globally connected. On January 28, 2021, during the weekly WASL community call, Dr. Mia Bloom and Shannon Foley Martinez joined us to share their expertise on far-right extremism, conspiracy theories, and the role of women and gender.

Better Peace Animations now available in Ukrainian

During the pandemic we have been busy translating our materials and tools into new languages. In 2020 we launched a number of animations in Russian and Swahili, and we are excited to at this time share three of our existing animations in Ukrainian: Gendered Devolution: Why it matters, how to do it, Gender Responsive and Inclusive Ceasefires: Why it matters, how to do and Gendered Transitional Justice: Why it matters, how to do it.

ICAN Trains the Women Mediators across the Commonwealth on Gender Responsive Mediation

During three weeks in December the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN), provided an 18-hour training on Gender Responsive and Inclusive Mediation to 16 members of the Women Mediators across the Commonwealth (WMC), a network hosted by Conciliation Resources.

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Our Mission

ICAN promotes inclusive and sustainable peace in countries affected by violent conflict, extremism, militarism, and closing political space. Recognizing the gendered impact of conflict and the critical role of women peacebuilders, we fulfill our mission through a dual strategy of:

Shaping and influencing the peace and security policies of governments, multilateral organizations, and the wider international community by providing thought leadership, strategic advice, and gender-responsive analysis and operational guidance; and
Sustaining and strengthening a global movement of innovative locally rooted women peacebuilders to have voice and influence wherever matters of peace, violent conflict, rights, and human security are determined.

We bring the word and spirit of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the global women, peace and security agenda to life.

“We will not let violence determine our collective future.”

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Women Peacebuilders on the Frontlines of COVID

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ICAN’s Annual Forum

The annual Women, Peace and Security Forum brings together women peacebuilders to improve social cohesion, promote peace and address violence

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“We have had 15 years with counter-terrorism policies in place, but no results”

Learn more about women’s effective practice in preventing violent extremism and promoting rights, peace and pluralism

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The Innovative Peace Fund

Investing in Trust

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“If war is the industry of men, let peace be the industry of women.”

Women shifting the discourse and policy on extremism, peace and security.

Know More About The Global Solutions Exchange

We offer pragmatic guidance on effective inclusion of women in peace processes.

Check Our Better Peace Initiative

“What the Women Say” country-specific briefs

Gendered political and security analyses carried out in partnership with local activists

Read Our Briefs

ICAN’s Thematic Reports

Providing gendered analysis, informing policies, and offering recommendations and programming guidance

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Our Work

Presents a pragmatic guidance for the inclusion of women peacebuilders, and offers proactive steps to broaden participation.

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Preventing extremism by promoting rights, peace and pluralism. Enabling strategic collaboration between women peacebuilders.

Provides a mechanism for regular high-level civil society-government dialogue on issues related to preventing extremism.

Provides grants and technical assistance to partners to support local solutions in promoting peace and countering extremism.

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“I truly believe that a small group, like ICAN, of very committed women, can get the message across that there is not going to be a sustainable solution to extremism without including women”

– Senator Mobina Jaffer

“ICAN has one agenda, and it is Peace.”

– Sri Lankan woman peacebuilder

“ICAN provides a safe open space and a healthy environment for discussions that will bring about the needed change.”

– Palestinian woman peacebuilder

“Through ICAN, our work reached international platforms for the first time, including the UN.”

– Iraqi woman peacebuilder

“ICAN brings together women that have worked with extremist groups and within very violent conflicts. I share and learn new strategies from them.”

– Ugandan woman peacebuilder

The diversity I found in ICAN helps me and nurtures my experience and enables me to go forward”

– Tunisian women peacebuilder

“ICAN helps us learn new strategies through sharing experiences with other women from different countries”

– Somali woman peacebuilder

Issues and Approaches

Civil society is the space in which most women leaders – committed to peace, social justice, and progressive values – are active. Yet they are under pressure to conform to state policies or fall silent for fear of retribution from extremist groups. Know more about the issues.

We work in equal partnership with our network to develop and establish a unique platform for regional collaboration and learning amongst women leaders and organizations. Know more about our strategy.

We support women civil society leaders through advocacy, training, dialogue facilitation, and information generation, sharing, and exchange. Know more about our work.

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