“لقد ألغينا الصمت”: كيف تعيد لجان السلام المحلية بناء الثقة في سوريا
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The Odd Couple: Women Peacebuilders and Security Actors Bridging Positions, Building Trust
The WPS agenda has proven a vital entry point for women peacebuilders to engage with the security sector and build trust within affected communities. These efforts—often invisible—are contributing to the reform of the sector, reshaping local security environments and mitigating violence.
The War Against Ourselves: Afghan Women Peacebuilders’ Response to the Mental Health Crisis in Afghanistan
This case study describes the drivers of the mental health crisis in Afghanistan, its gendered and cultural dimensions, and the strategies used by Afghan women-led peacebuilding organizations to provide solutions. The authors conducted interviews with representatives of Afghan women-led peacebuilding organizations and thematic experts, which were complemented by a desk review of project documentation and […]
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The Impact of Recognition and Security on Women Peacebuilders and their Work
The Impact of Recognition and Security on Women Peacebuilders and their Work
29 July 2020
By Morgan Mitchell
During our weekly community check-in calls, WASL partners have been discussing the dynamics of recognition and protection of peacebuilding work, as well as the effect that international policies have on the lived experiences of peacebuilders on the ground. Throughout these calls our partners have identified specific points from their analysis and work across conflict contexts. ICAN’s Founder and CEO Sanam Anderlini began the conversation by stating, “We need to discuss the threats and security concerns that many of you are facing. The things that many of you have been fighting against are starting to come back through various laws. Additionally, many activists are being threatened and spoken out against. We want to hear your experiences regarding the issues and the challenges that you are all facing.”
It’s crucial to understand the reality of women peacebuilders and citizens on the ground within conflict and post conflict environments, particularly those that have been affected by international policies or sanctions. One woman peacebuilder from Iran stated, “International sanctions stemming from many different countries, most notably the US, have weakened the civil society space and have created negative impacts on Iran’s middle class.” Including the voices of local women in conversations surrounding security will enhance the opportunity for lasting peace and will ensure that decisions are thoughtfully made with local communities in mind.
Recognition is important. With recognition comes protection.
Another challenge of increasing concern is protecting the safety of women peacebuilders and their work. One woman peacebuilder from Cameroon who has been the target of many recent threats noted, “We live and we work every day to protect peace, but no one is protecting us. We give it all, but we receive very little.” WASL members recognize the connection between recognition and acknowledgement and enhanced security and protection. As one woman peacebuilder from Sri Lanka stated, “Recognition is important. With recognition comes protection. Recognition can come through our participation in mediation or special envoys.”
By understanding the linkages between recognition and protection, WASL members are able to voice their needs to government entities that have the power to provide them with the necessary acknowledgement and support. The importance of their recognition and inclusion in decision-making and peacebuilding processes is at the fore of conversations as WASL members prepare for the call tomorrow with the UN Security Council. As Sanam Anderlini explained, “The very least that we, as women peacebuilders and international citizens should expect is protection and security. [Governments and multilateral organizations] should be protecting them.”
The International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) and the Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership (WASL) Statement: The Escalating U.S.-Israeli War on Iran and its Regional Ramifications
Introducing the Holistic Security Menu: a co-designed, partner-driven model that provides practical and sustainable security support—on women peacebuilders’ own terms.
On October 6, 2025, the U.N. Security Council holds its annual open debate on Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. Today, we are not issuing a new statement. Instead, we are honoring our community of women peacebuilders—who appeared before the Security Council throughout these 25 years, speaking for the millions they represent—by echoing their messages.
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On behalf of the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) and members of the global Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership (WASL), we are honored to nominate Francesca Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
در عرصه صحت روانی، افغانستان با بحران پیچیدهای مواجه است که این بحران به طور جدایی ناپذیر با ناامنی شدید فیزیکی، سیاسی و اقتصادی در کشور گره خورده و این نا امنی ها بحران را تشدید میکند. برای رسیدگی به آسیب های روانی، صحت و بهداشت جامعه به شیوه های پاسخگو به جنسیت و با مد نظر گرفتن حساسیت های فرهنگی، سازمانهای فعال در عرصه صلح سازی به رهبری زنان افغان در موقعیتی منحصربه فرد قرار دارند. این سازمان ها خدمات ابتدایی ارائه میدهند، مهارتها را توسعه میبخشند و در شکلدهی هنجارهای فرهنگی و جنسیتی نقش مؤثر ایفا میکنند.
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In a powerful departure from traditional advocacy, ICAN—guided by our Afghan partners and women peacebuilders—hosted the event “Watan e Ma – وطن ما – Our Homeland: Women of Afghanistan Keeping the Flame of Freedom Alive” on March 17, 2025 at Blue Gallery in New York City. Held during the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), the event celebrated Afghan cultural heritage and the resilience of Afghan women peacebuilders, who persist in their leadership for peace, justice, and equality under the Taliban’s regime of gender apartheid.
On May 5, 2025, ICAN's Sanam Naraghi Anderlini delivered the keynote speech at the two-day international conference "25th Anniversary Conference of UNSCR 1325 Women, Peace and Security."
As Senator Mobina Jaffer concludes 23 years of distinguished public service in the Canadian Senate, we extend our deepest thanks for her steadfast leadership as Chair of ICAN’s Board of Directors from 2014 to 2024.
