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Press Release
#FeministLeadership

WILPF Announces Appointment of New International Board Members 

Now that the WILPF International Congress 2026 has come to an end, we are pleased to announce the new members of our International Board.

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  • 4 min
WILPF International
10 August 2026

The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) – the world’s longest-standing feminist peace organisation – is thrilled to announce its next International Board. The organisation is also announcing the appointment of Sylvie Ndongmo of WILPF Cameroon as its reelected International President.  

The new members include:  

  • Sylvie Ndongmo of WILPF Cameroon as International President – re-elected 
  • Desiree Sterner of WILPF Sweden as Vice President 
  • Diana Salcedo of WILPF Colombia as Vice President 
  • Janette McLeod of WILPF Australia as International Treasurer – re-appointed 

Regional representatives: 

  • Mabinty Soumah for Regional Representative for Africa 
  • Mercy Osei Konadu as Alternate Regional Representative for Africa 
  • Barbara Harley for Regional Representative for Asia Pacific 
  • Megan Hutching as Alternate Regional Representative for Asia Pacific 
  • Sameena Nazir for Regional Representative for South Asia 
  • Negina Yari as Alternate Regional Representative for South Asia 
  • Rosa Logar for Regional Representative for Europe 
  • Hanne Peterson as Alternate Regional Representative for Europe 
  • Halal Kilani for Regional Representative for SWANA  
  • Ola Alagabari as Alternate Regional Representative for SWANA  

The Americas representative will be elected at a future extraordinary session 

Sylvie Ndongmo, is a Cameroonian peacebuilder, feminist leader, civil society actor and Women, Peace and Security expert with over 30 years of experience in peacebuilding, mediation, and gender equality advocacy. She serves as International President of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and is the founder of WILPF Cameroon and Executive Secretary of Women Peace Initiatives. She coordinates the Women and Youth Early Warning Monitoring Room in Cameroon and was recently appointed to the African Union Advisory Panel on Democratic Elections and Governance in Africa. Her work focuses on advancing women’s leadership, conflict prevention, and sustainable peace through feminist, inclusive, and intergenerational approaches.  

“Leadership is collective. No challenge is greater than the strength of a movement united by a common purpose, guided by feminist values, and committed to building a just and lasting peace. This is my vision for WILPF: a movement united in purpose, courageous in action, and unwavering in its commitment to feminist peace, justice, and freedom for all.” — Sylvie Ndongmo

Desirée Sterner currently serves as President of the Swedish Section (IKFF), a role she has held since 2023. Her engagement with WILPF began at the grassroots level through the local branch in Lund/Malmö during her university years. Desirée brings a deep substantive understanding of WILPF’s core issues, rooted in academic training in gender, peace and security (LSE), war studies (Swedish Defence University), peace and conflict studies, and human rights (Lund University), combined with several years of practical advocacy, movement-building and organisational leadership work in Swedish civil society.  

“To be part of WILPF is to be part of history. I understand, both personally and politically, what it means to grow up as a young woman within WILPF: to find one’s voice, build confidence, and take on responsibility. We need all of the different perspectives of our vast, beautiful movement, and I am proud and humbled to shoulder this immense responsibility given by Congress to implement our international program, strengthen our organisation, and ensure that all voices are heard, respected and validated. We are stronger together, and together we make history.” — Desirée Sterner

Diana María Salcedo López holds a degree in Political Science from the National University of Colombia, a Master’s degree in Women’s, Gender and Citizenship Studies from the University of Barcelona, and a Master’s degree in Human Rights, the Rule of Law and Democratisation from the University of Alcalá de Henares in Madrid. A feminist and anti-militarist, she has a solid track record spanning two decades working as a consultant for non-governmental organisations, international cooperation agencies, the United Nations and state bodies in Colombia. 

Her work has focused on safeguarding women’s rights, incorporating a gender and intersectional perspective into public policy, strengthening the social fabric amongst women who are victims of the armed conflict, and consolidating local peace-building processes. 

She currently serves as director of the Colombian section of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (LIMPAL Colombia), where she leads initiatives on issues such as feminist approaches to the energy transition, the protection of women human rights defenders, the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and advocacy in international forums. She also represents the organisation on the Special Women’s Body for Monitoring the Peace Agreement and on the Intersectoral Commission on Security Guarantees for Women Human Rights Defenders and Women Leaders in Colombia. 

“Drawing on the wisdom of the memories of the women who came before us and the strength of those of us who continue to resist today, I offer, from my heart and with my voice, my whole being to keep the flame of anti-militarist feminism alive, weaving together with my sisters other possible worlds, where it is possible to live with dignity.” — Diana María Salcedo López

Janette McLeod has commenced her second term as International Treasurer. Prior to that she was the Alternate Regional Representative for the Asia Pacific region. She has been an active WILPF member for more than 20 years in Australia. Before retiring, she was a public servant.  

“I look forward to continuing to work for WILPF’s goal of a sustainable feminist peace.” — Janette McLeod

The appointments were approved at WILPF’s 34th International Congress, which took place from 18 to 20 July. Meeting every three years, Congress is the highest decision-making body of WILPF.  

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WILPF International

WILPF International Secretariat, with offices in Geneva and New York, liaises with the International Board and the National Sections and Groups for the implementation of WILPF International Programme, resolutions and policies as adopted by the International Congress. Under the direction of the Secretary-General, the Secretariat also provides support in areas of advocacy, communications, and financial operations. 

Matt Mahmoudi

Matt Mahmoudi (he/him) is a lecturer, researcher, and organizer. He’s been leading the “Ban the Scan” campaign, Amnesty International’s research and advocacy efforts on banning facial recognition technologies and exposing their uses against racialized communities, from New York City to the occupied Palestinian territories.

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Hanne Peterson

Europe Alternate Regional Representative

More about Hanne Peterson coming soon.

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Diana María Salcedo López

VICE-PRESIDENT

Diana María Salcedo López holds a degree in Political Science from the National University of Colombia, a Master’s degree in Women’s, Gender and Citizenship Studies from the University of Barcelona, and a Master’s degree in Human Rights, the Rule of Law and Democratisation from the University of Alcalá de Henares in Madrid. A feminist and anti-militarist, she has a solid track record spanning two decades working as a consultant for non-governmental organisations, international cooperation agencies, the United Nations and state bodies in Colombia. 

Her work has focused on safeguarding women’s rights, incorporating a gender and intersectional perspective into public policy, strengthening the social fabric amongst women who are victims of the armed conflict, and consolidating local peace-building processes. 

She currently serves as director of the Colombian section of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (LIMPAL Colombia), where she leads initiatives on issues such as feminist approaches to the energy transition, the protection of women human rights defenders, the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and advocacy in international forums. She also represents the organisation on the Special Women’s Body for Monitoring the Peace Agreement and on the Intersectoral Commission on Security Guarantees for Women Human Rights Defenders and Women Leaders in Colombia. 

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Desirée Sterner

VICE-PRESIDENT

Desirée Sterner currently serves as President of the Swedish Section (IKFF), a role she has held since 2023. Her engagement with WILPF began at the grassroots level through the local branch in Lund/Malmö during her university years. Desirée brings a deep substantive understanding of WILPF’s core issues, rooted in academic training in gender, peace and security (LSE), war studies (Swedish Defence University), peace and conflict studies, and human rights (Lund University), combined with several years of practical advocacy, movement-building and organisational leadership work in Swedish civil society.  

A woman in traditional African attire stands against an orange background, wearing a patterned headwrap, white dress with colourful trim, layered necklaces, bracelets, and a blue ring, with her hand resting on her chin.

Sylvie Jacqueline Ndongmo

PRESIDENT

Sylvie Ndongmo, is a Cameroonian peacebuilder, feminist leader, civil society actor and Women, Peace and Security expert with over 30 years of experience in peacebuilding, mediation, and gender equality advocacy. She serves as International President of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and is the founder of WILPF Cameroon and Executive Secretary of Women Peace Initiatives. She coordinates the Women and Youth Early Warning Monitoring Room in Cameroon and was recently appointed to the African Union Advisory Panel on Democratic Elections and Governance in Africa. Her work focuses on advancing women’s leadership, conflict prevention, and sustainable peace through feminist, inclusive, and intergenerational approaches.  

WILPF Afghanistan

In response to the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban and its targeted attacks on civil society members, WILPF Afghanistan issued several statements calling on the international community to stand in solidarity with Afghan people and ensure that their rights be upheld, including access to aid. The Section also published 100 Untold Stories of War and Peace, a compilation of true stories that highlight the effects of war and militarisation on the region. 

IPB Congress Barcelona

WILPF Germany (+Young WILPF network), WILPF Spain and MENA Regional Representative

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Demilitarisation

WILPF uses feminist analysis to argue that militarisation is a counter-productive and ill-conceived response to establishing security in the world. The more society becomes militarised, the more violence and injustice are likely to grow locally and worldwide.

Sixteen states are believed to have supplied weapons to Afghanistan from 2001 to 2020 with the US supplying 74 % of weapons, followed by Russia. Much of this equipment was left behind by the US military and is being used to inflate Taliban’s arsenal. WILPF is calling for better oversight on arms movement, for compensating affected Afghan people and for an end to all militarised systems.

Militarised masculinity

Mobilising men and boys around feminist peace has been one way of deconstructing and redefining masculinities. WILPF shares a feminist analysis on the links between militarism, masculinities, peace and security. We explore opportunities for strengthening activists’ action to build equal partnerships among women and men for gender equality.

WILPF has been working on challenging the prevailing notion of masculinity based on men’s physical and social superiority to, and dominance of, women in Afghanistan. It recognizes that these notions are not representative of all Afghan men, contrary to the publicly prevailing notion.

Feminist peace​

In WILPF’s view, any process towards establishing peace that has not been partly designed by women remains deficient. Beyond bringing perspectives that encapsulate the views of half of the society and unlike the men only designed processes, women’s true and meaningful participation allows the situation to improve.

In Afghanistan, WILPF has been demanding that women occupy the front seats at the negotiating tables. The experience of the past 20 has shown that women’s presence produces more sustainable solutions when they are empowered and enabled to play a role.