The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS) recently held a series of events in Doha, Qatar, where we launched a Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Women Peacebuilders Initiative in collaboration with the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Georgetown University in Qatar.
We were also joined by a delegation of 15 Georgetown Ambassadors for Women, Peace and Security for a series of meetings with government, diplomatic, and civil society partners.
Read our highlights from Doha.
Launch of our MENA Women Peacebuilders Initiative
We convened a group of distinguished women leaders from the MENA region and were joined by the Minister of State for International Cooperation, H.E Lolwah Al-Khater, and Dean of Georgetown University Qatar, Dr. Safwan Masri. The summit launched our MENA Women Peacebuilders Initiative, which will act as a platform to strengthen the role of women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding across the region.
“This initiative is more than just a gathering; it is a mission to harness the exceptional talents, perspectives, and resilience of Arab women,” said H.E. Al-Khater.
Our conversations highlighted the cross-regional implications of conflict, underscored the instrumental roles of women’s leadership, and presented opportunities for advancing peacebuilding across the region.
Participants emphasized the need for locally relevant approaches that resonate with indigenous contexts and said using culturally sensitive language as well as collaborating with religious and traditional leaders are essential for enhancing the legitimacy of peace processes. They called for sustainable funding, coalitions to amplify women’s voices, and a critical reevaluation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 framework to ensure it remains relevant and effectively addresses current challenges facing women in conflict-affected areas.
Empowered Voices:
Women Shaping Peace in the MENA Region
“Peace might be defined as the absence of violence or the end of violence. But peace is more than quiet streets or halted gunfire. Peace breathes life into dignity, fosters hope, and carves out opportunity,” said Dr. Masri during his opening remarks at a public panel discussion designed to share highlights from the MENA Women Peacebuilders Initiative.
Throughout the event, the panel amplified the perspectives of MENA women peacebuilders who shared personal reflections and insights on the challenges they face.
Dr. Amal Al Malki, founding dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Hamad bin Khalifa University, cautioned against “the colonial reduction and stereotype” that often frames MENA women through a singular, passive lens.
Addressing the need for structural change, Dr. Houda Abadi, founder and executive director of Transformative Peace Consultancy, emphasized an intersectional approach within the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda and called for solutions that are grounded in the experiences of communities most affected by conflict.
Mohammad Naciri, chief of staff for UN Women, celebrated the diversity within the convening cohort and underscored the need for an inclusive approach in peace processes.
Highlighting the vital role of women, GIWPS Executive Director Ambassador Melanne Verveer stated: “We cannot have peace without women’s meaningful participation.” She drew attention to the historical underrepresentation of women in formal peace processes, adding that their involvement broadens the conversation to include reconciliation, human rights, and economic opportunity.
Celebrating H.E. Lolwah Al-Khater
Ambassador Verveer presented H.E. Lolwah Al-Khater with the Trailblazer Award from GIWPS.
The award recognizes her exemplary diplomatic and humanitarian leadership and her unwavering commitment to promoting peace and uplifting women in the MENA region.
“The real test of leadership is what one does with their power and H.E. Al-Khater has used her power to make life better for people in the most difficult circumstances and to help those in desperate need: providing humanitarian relief to Gazans enduring tremendous suffering, working to evacuate Afghans after the Taliban takeover, supporting efforts to rescue Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia, and more. She is a true humanitarian and most deserving of our award,” said Ambassador Verveer.
Georgetown Delegation Travels to Qatar
A delegation of 15 Georgetown Ambassadors for Women, Peace and Security joined Ambassador Verveer in Doha, Qatar, for the launch of the MENA Initiative. This four-day immersive learning and partnership-building trip focused on the important role of women in the country’s leadership, explored the United States’ position in the region, and strengthened GIWPS’ relationship with Georgetown’s campus in Qatar.
