CONCLUSIONS With conflicts and identity-based extremisms pulling apart the social fabric of societies, most people feel a strong tendency to withdraw into their own comfort zones and communities. But this further weakens the ability of pluralistic societies to reform and strengthen. Peacebuilders are the few individuals who not only imagine an alternative and inclusive future but also dare to become the change they seek to bring. Like any bridge, once they exist and create pathways for others to also engage across the lines of conflict, they can be walked over and taken for granted. But, when negative forces aim to disrupt this engagement, they target the bridges first. With increasingly close civic space, rising authoritarianism, mainstreaming of extremisms, and the corresponding breaking down of trust, it is urgent and necessary to recognize and celebrate the existence and work of peacebuilders. Their approach and vision are inspirational, and also a critical antidote to the cynicism and apathy that can prevail when people have forgotten or never known peace within pluralistic societies and states. But peacebuilding is difficult. It is a mindset, an emotional journey, a daily, weekly, year-on-year effort and often a struggle to persist. It cannot be sustained by a handful of individuals and specialized networks alone. A wider movement and global public engagement are essential. Twenty years ago, women building peace brought visibility to their work by successfully advocating for the UN Security Council’s recognition of their contributions. Now, it is time to acknowledge and respect the unique combination of values, characteristics, strategies and tactics that together define women peacebuilders as critical actors working in conflict settings on conflicts. They are negotiating or mediating with armed groups and governments to end violence in formal and informal spaces. They focus on the rights and protection of civilian populations, particularly the most marginalized. They work on sustaining and building peace. It is dangerous work because they are exposing themselves to threats and ostracization at a time when people, even their own families and communities, are entrenched in their positions. These women are the heart and soul of the 1325 agenda, and they are a missing piece of contemporary peacemaking. It is time to ensure that they have their rightful place secured as independent actors and delegations at every stage of the peace process and every level of effort being undertaken to prevent, mitigate and resolve conflicts affecting their countries. Below are 10 practical recommendations, including many based on existing precedence, to enable this shift.
24 | Recognizing Women Peacebuilders
