Qatar spotlighted the crucial role of women in peacebuilding during the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha. Empowering women in peacebuilding is central to strengthening communities and ensuring lasting stability.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a special side event to discuss women’s contributions to conflict resolution. It showcased successes from Arab women mediators who help prevent disputes and support reconciliation. Moreover, the event emphasized practical ways to include women in local and regional peace initiatives.
Sheikha Hanouf bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Director of International Organizations Department at the Ministry, stressed Qatar’s commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda. She added that empowering women in peacebuilding is a priority for both national and international policies. Qatar joined the UN Secretary-General’s campaign, “Common Pledge for Women’s Full, Equal and Meaningful Participation in Peace Processes,” to advance this cause.
The event featured UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous, Palestine’s Minister of Social Development Dr. Samah Hamad, and Kuwait’s Assistant Foreign Minister Jawaher Al Sabah. They shared experiences from conflict zones, explaining how women mediators successfully facilitate dialogue. They also noted that including women ensures peace agreements meet the needs of entire communities.
Speakers highlighted lessons learned from past projects in the Arab region. They encouraged structured programs to train and support women mediators further. By doing so, empowering women in peacebuilding becomes a practical approach to long-term stability. Additionally, they stressed that women offer unique perspectives that often build trust and bridge divides.
The session concluded that empowering women in peacebuilding is both a moral duty and an effective strategy. Furthermore, Qatar’s commitment illustrates how gender-inclusive policies strengthen governance, social cohesion, and international cooperation.
Through these efforts, Qatar demonstrates that promoting women’s roles in peace processes fosters resilient societies. Ultimately, empowering women in peacebuilding enhances peace, security, and development across communities worldwide.
