As the Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership (WASL) continues to expand globally, fostering stronger regional and national networks, we are excited to announce the formation of the first-ever WASL Steering Committee. This milestone marks a significant step in enhancing our governance, sustainability, and collective impact in addressing violence, extremism, war, and injustice.
Purpose and Function of the WASL Steering Committee
The WASL Steering Committee has been established to:
- Advise on strategic priorities for WASL, ensuring alignment with the needs and goals of its members.
- Establish and maintain participatory governance structures, including functional committees and thematic working groups.
- Serve as a liaison between the WASL membership and ICAN, the network’s secretariat, to facilitate coordination and collaboration.
Structure and Membership
The Steering Committee consists of eight members representing diverse regions and experiences, alongside ICAN serving as the secretariat in an observer capacity.
Each member will serve a two-year term, with staggered rotations to ensure continuity and institutional knowledge transfer. The inaugural Steering Committee was selected based on extensive consultation and criteria emphasizing leadership, engagement, and commitment to WASL’s mission.
Inaugural Steering Committee Members
- Abir Hajibrahim – Syrian peacebuilder and co-founder of the Mobaderoon Peacebuilding Network. Abir has facilitated various dialogues, trained over 300 peace ambassadors, and contributed to the Syrian peace talks.
- Ahlem Nasraoui – Tunisian advocate for inclusion, diversity, and economic empowerment. Founder of Young Leaders Entrepreneurs (YLE) and the “She Can” conference.
- Robinah Rubimbwa – Ugandan educator, feminist, and peace practitioner. Founder of the Coalition for Action on 1325 (CoACT), expert in Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), and consultant on WPS National Action Plans across Africa. Chairperson of UN Women’s Civil Society Advisory Group for Eastern and Southern Africa.
- Rosa Emilia Salamanca – Colombian peace activist and director of CIASE. Rosa Emilia’s work has included participation in peace negotiations, as an educator, and a developer of a peace-education curriculum. She is also a member of Alianza 1325, working to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in Colombia.
- Ruby Kholifah – Indonesian peace advocate and director of AMAN Indonesia. Ruby has mobilized over 200 CSOs for gender mainstreaming in countering violent extremism. She is the founder of the School of Women for Peace.
- Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, MBE – Iranian-British peace strategist and CEO of ICAN. Sanam experience includes leading the Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership (WASL), co-drafting UN Security Council Resolution 1325, and spearheading the Innovative Peace Fund. She is an adjunct Professor at Columbia SIPA and former director of LSE’s Centre for Women, Peace and Security.
- Visaka Dharmadasa – Sri Lankan peace advocate and founder of the Association of War Affected Women. Visaka was a key mediator in Sri Lanka’s ceasefire negotiations and is a key advocate for UNSCR 1325 implementation.
- Wazhma Frogh – Afghan peace practitioner and founder of Wellness, Prosperity & Socio-Empowerment Organization (WPSO). Wazhma is a former High Peace Council member, co-initiator of Afghanistan’s first National Dialogue, and expert in legislative advocacy.
Read the full bios of the Inaugural Steering Committee Members.
Secretariat
The International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) serves as the secretariat for the Steering Committee, providing coordination and administrative support.
Learn More
For more information about the WASL network, click here.
We look forward to this new phase of WASL’s journey and the collective impact we will continue to build together.
