MENA Women Peacebuilders Initiative

Launched in October 2024 in Doha, the MENA Women Peacebuilders Initiative is a flagship program of GIWPS, created in collaboration with the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Georgetown University in Qatar.

The initiative envisions the formation of a regional coalition of women peace leaders equipped with the skills, credibility, and determination to actively contribute to peacebuilding processes across the Middle East and North Africa. The initiative represents a landmark step toward elevating women’s leadership in one of the world’s most conflict-affected regions.

Vision and Focus

Programming is organized around two contextual tracks: active conflict and post-conflict/fragile transition. In countries facing ongoing violence, such as Sudan, Libya, Palestine/Israel, and Yemen, the initiative prioritizes the protection, voice, and visibility of women peacebuilders, supporting grassroots actors and advocating for gender-sensitive approaches within humanitarian responses. In post-conflict or transitional settings, such as Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, efforts emphasize institutional engagement, policy reform, and leadership development, aiming to institutionalize women’s roles in shaping durable peace.

Strategic Pillars