While women are often actively engaged in mediation processes at community levels, their expertise is often overlooked when it comes to formal, high-level peace initiatives. In recent years, there has been an expansion of different national, regional, and global mediator networks to address this gap.
Regional women mediator networks include: (Links are to external websites of the different organizations. The United Nations does not bear responsibility for the validity of the content).
The Global Alliance of Regional Women Mediators Networks, launched in September 2019, was additionally initiated to amplify common goals and strengthen coordination and cooperation among networks.
The expanding networks can contribute to strengthening efforts to support women’s participation and leadership and gender responsive peacemaking as well as to promote implementation of the Secretary-General’s initiative for a surge in diplomacy for peace.
DPPA's Gender, Peace and Security (GPS) Unit meets regularly with the Global Alliance to exchange information and opportunities for collaboration. DPPA's Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisers (SBT) has also provided targeted training, including for members of FemWise-Africa, around conflict prevention, mediation, and other priority issues.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe