Video: Women mediators in peaceful protest movements

Women took a prominent role in anti-government protests in Bangkok, Thailand in 2020. Photo © picture alliance / AA | Stringer

Watch the recording of our launch event to learn more about women building bridges for nonviolent change.

The past decade has witnessed a surge in peaceful protest movements worldwide as citizens mobilise against systemic violence and demand institutional change. These movements have highlighted the critical role of grassroots actors in bridging gaps between the state and society. Among these actors, women have emerged as key insider mediators, playing pivotal roles in preventing violence, facilitating dialogue, and fostering peace within their communities. However, their contributions often remain underrecognised due to the informal and spontaneous nature of their mediation roles.

To better understand the gender dynamics within these movements, we conducted a series of research studies focusing on the role of women as insider mediators in recent protest movements in Iraq, Thailand, and Venezuela. The studies explored how women navigate socio-cultural constraints, utilise their unique positions to build trust, and contribute to the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

This event launched key policy recommendations on the role of women as insider mediators in peaceful protest movements. Panelists discussed gender dynamics in conflict resolution and peacebuilding and shared learnings from women working to transform their activism into lasting political engagement.

Women mediators in peaceful protest movements

Insights from Iraq, Thailand, and Venezuela

26 September 2024
15:00 – 16:00 CEST

Online event via Zoom.

This event will be held in English.

Welcome remarks:

• Chris Coulter, Deputy Executive Director, Berghof Foundation
• Sarah Douglas, Deputy Chief for Peace, Security and Resilience Section, UN Women

Speakers:

• Bencharat Sae Chua, Lecturer at the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University, Thailand
• Ilham Makki, Researcher, activist, and trainer focused on women’s rights in Iraq
• Tonis Montes, Senior Program Officer, United States Institute of Peace
  

Moderated by Véronique Dudouet, Senior Advisor, Berghof Foundation.

Media contact

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