Duration: 16-21 September 2024
Theme: This year’s theme, “Cultivating a Culture of Peace,” embodies WILPF’s dedication to creating a world where peace is more than just the absence of war—it is a lived reality rooted in justice, equality, respect for human dignity, and care for the planet.
Main message for this year: Amplify a strong feminist voice urging states to recommit to multilateralism and make the United Nations (UN) better fulfil its mandate to maintain peace.
The following pages contain everything you need to get started!
Please note that the video statement will be available on wilpf.org and social media as of 15 September. The link will be shared in this toolkit at that time. You are free to re-share or even paraphrase once it’s published.
What do we need for peace? A UN and multilateral system that truly works.
The core mandate of the UN is to advance peace and security in the world as well as support countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, with conflicts escalating and crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and rising terrorism, the need for effective multilateral cooperation has never been more urgent. The Summit of the Future provides a critical opportunity to unite world leaders and get them to reiterate their commitment to the frameworks and renew their trust in the UN system. As peace activists must emphasize that achieving peace requires decisive action, and such action is only possible through strong, functional multilateral mechanisms.
Rationale: It is not new but the current UN framework for peace and security is failing to meet global needs. Peace and security decision-making need a radical rethink. The veto power, a remnant of post-WWII power dynamics, perpetuates the status quo and hinders progress and entrenches a system that we need to decolonise. It is neither representative nor inclusive of the growing influence of other global actors. The UN Security Council (UNSC) has become a battleground where superpowers wield their vetoes as bargaining chips, often using them to manipulate or blackmail countries of the global majority. This misuse of power frequently stalls critical peace and development initiatives, leaving vulnerable communities at risk. It is imperative that we challenge and reform this outdated system to create a more equitable and effective approach to global peace and security.
Rationale: It is crucial to highlight the UN charter, as world leaders are expected to restate their commitment to its principles. Advocating for disarmament and demilitarisation is essential. Genuine peace cannot be achieved without addressing critical issues such as the abolition of nuclear weapons, banning autonomous weapon systems, reducing military spending, halting the arms trade, and eliminating foreign military bases and the use of explosive weapons and armed drones in populated areas. In this regard, linking our calls to significant milestones, such as the Arms Treaty and the proposed 4th Special Session of the General Assembly on disarmament (the last of which occurred in 1988), is vital to advancing these goals.
Join us at the Global Call, use this toolkit to further advocate in your communities and share what you did with us. Let’s really make some noise for peace together.
| No | Suggested Activity | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Participate in the Global Call Effort level: Low |
Take part in the Global Call (follow-up to July’s call) where we will connect to strengthen our movement. In this upcoming call, we will highlight what peace means to us in our contexts. In the margins, there will be a dedicated space for members that would like to discuss the Summit of the Future advocacy. | |
| 2 | Participate in the WILPF Peace Tapestry Effort level: Medium |
A WILPF Peace Tapestry with words and proverbs from our languages and dialects would help to celebrate the rich diversity within WILPF. It will also help in highlighting the value of preserving and sharing indigenous knowledge. | Share text in your local language or a video.
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| 3 | Resharing vital resources. Effort level: Low |
Suggested resources:
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Please select the resources you want to share. Don't forget to share your Section's resources that are relevant! (Tag WILPF/use hashtag to help us amplify). |
| 4 | Co-create Social media posts. | We have created social media content to help us present a unified and powerful collective voice. | Feel free to adapt and use the provided social media messages. We encourage Sections to share these messages in any language and through any channels that best reach their audience. |
Share, like, promote! Help raise awareness and engage your community in the conversation about WILPF’s call for justice. Spread the word!
Below are sample social media posts that you can use:
21 September marks International Day of Peace. This year, it falls on the eve of the UN’s Summit of the Future, where world leaders will gather to negotiate and adopt the Pact for the Future — an actionable document that will guide peace efforts in the years ahead.
There has never been a more important time to ensure our collective demands for peace are heard. Read through our slides to learn more about this opportunity and WILPF’s demands for peace!
Visit the link in our bio or wilpf.org for a more detailed blog post.
#peaceday #WILPF #SummitoftheFuture #PactfortheFuture #RealPeaceRealChange
This year, International Day of Peace aligns with the UN #SummitoftheFuture—a key event for global peace.
Let’s make our call for peace heard. Learn more about #WILPF’s stance at wilpf.org.
#PeaceDay #RealPeaceRealChange
As world leaders are meeting in New York for the #SummitoftheFuture , we urge action on our peace demands:
As world leaders are meeting in New York for the #SummitoftheFuture , we want to reiterate our demands for peace: disarm and demilitarise, reform the UNSC, recognise the patriarchy as a root cause of inequality, eradicate all forms of #GBV and resolve conflicts through diplomacy and dialogue.
As world leaders meet for the #SummitfortheFuture, we call for:
1. Disarmament & demilitarisation
2. UNSC reform
3. Addressing patriarchy & inequality
4. Eradicating #GBV
5. Resolving conflicts through diplomacy
#PeaceDay #RealPeaceRealChange #WILPF
What does peace mean in your language? What peace practices or symbols are cherished in your culture? Share your stories and wisdom and let's create a WILPF Peace Tapestry.
In the #DRC, the Kongo people who hail from the ancient Kongo kingdom tell us: “it is impossible to make peace with a sword”. We want to make peace with a pen, a voice and a plant.
Do you know how communities make peace with each other in Cameroon? The Nso people of Bamenda make peace by exchanging a plant called kikeng, or the “peace plant.” Have you ever used a plant to make peace?
In Madagascar’s Malgascio language, peace is rooted in honesty. They say, “When we lie, we renounce peace.”
The Baoulè people of the Ivory Coast tell us that youth are the fuel of war. We are told that “the elderly take the decision of going to war, but it is the young who have to go”.
The Luganda people of Uganda teach us an important lesson when they say, “With force, one obtains nothing!”. It is true, we do not gain anything from war.
The Zande people of South Sudan remind us that violence has consequences, and it is a vicious cycle. They say, “you can kill me, but someone will take my revenge.”
In Nigeria, the Yoruba people reiterate the importance of forgiveness. They tell us that “He who pardons avoids trials.”
In Sanskrit (ancient language of India), “Shanti” is the word for peace and calm.
Diverse perspectives and intersectional gender analysis are crucial for effective peace and security resolutions. Read our insights in “Taking Forward the UN’s New Agenda for Peace: What Does It Say About WPS and Gender?”: https://shorturl.at/kRuSn
The draft Pact for the Future, set to be adopted at the UN #SummitofTheFuture in September 2024, will reaffirm world leaders’ commitment to #peace. Check out our contributions to the Zero Draft. Read more here: https://shorturl.at/5cOTl
On #PeaceDay, WILPF envisions a world of lasting peace. This year, we reflect on our contribution to the process of developing the Pact for the Future. Today, on the eve of the Summit of the Future, we are reiterating our most crucial demands for a future in which everyone thrives.
Watch our full statement: [Link]
Join us in making this vision real.🕊️🌍
#RealPeaceRealChange #PeaceDay2024 #SummitfortheFuture
On #PeaceDay, and as the Summit of the Future approaches, we reaffirm our vision and key demands for a future where all can thrive.
Watch our full statement here: [Link]
Join us in making this vision a reality. 🕊️🌍
#RealPeaceRealChange #PeaceDay2024 #SummitfortheFuture
EN: #RealPeaceRealChange
General: #PeaceDay #PeaceDay2024 #FeministPeace #WILPF #SummitfortheFuture #PactfortheFuture
@WILPF (Twitter/X)
@wilpf_international (Instagram)
@WILPF (Facebook)
As world leaders are meeting in New York for the #SummitoftheFuture, we urge action on our peace demands:
| Day | Actions |
|---|---|
| 16 September | Participate in WILPF Members Global call – Building from Within.
Weave together the first part of the WILPF Peace Tapestry Share videos of proverbs |
| 17 September | Sharing video message by
Share key messages via social media Share WILPF resources on feminist peace |
| 18 September | Engage in advocacy related to the Summit of the Future, highlighting WILPF’s contributions to global peace and security discussions.
Share content reflecting the participation in Peace Week activities led by Sections |
| 19 September | Share key messages via social media |
| 20 September | Share key messages |
| 21 September | Share WILPF Peace Tapestry |
For any inquiries or support, write to us at communications (a) wilpf.org.
Your donation isn’t just a financial transaction; it’s a step toward a more compassionate and equitable world. With your support, we’re poised to achieve lasting change that echoes through generations. Thank you!
Prior to being elected Vice-President, Melissa Torres was the WILPF US International Board Member from 2015 to 2018. Melissa joined WILPF in 2011 when she was selected as a Delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women as part of the WILPF US’ Practicum in Advocacy Programme at the United Nations, which she later led. She holds a PhD in Social Work and is a professor and Global Health Scholar at Baylor College of Medicine and research lead at BCM Anti-Human Trafficking Program. Of Mexican descent and a native of the US/Mexico border, Melissa is mostly concerned with the protection of displaced Latinxs in the Americas. Her work includes training, research, and service provision with the American Red Cross, the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Centre, and refugee resettlement programs in the U.S. Some of her goals as Vice-President are to highlight intersectionality and increase diversity by fostering inclusive spaces for mentorship and leadership. She also contributes to WILPF’s emerging work on the topic of displacement and migration.
Jamila Afghani is the President of WILPF Afghanistan which she started in 2015. She is also an active member and founder of several organisations including the Noor Educational and Capacity Development Organisation (NECDO). Elected in 2018 as South Asia Regional Representative to WILPF’s International Board, WILPF benefits from Jamila’s work experience in education, migration, gender, including gender-based violence and democratic governance in post-conflict and transitional countries.
Sylvie Jacqueline NDONGMO is a human rights and peace leader with over 27 years experience including ten within WILPF. She has a multi-disciplinary background with a track record of multiple socio-economic development projects implemented to improve policies, practices and peace-oriented actions. Sylvie is the founder of WILPF Cameroon and was the Section’s president until 2022. She co-coordinated the African Working Group before her election as Africa Representative to WILPF’s International Board in 2018. A teacher by profession and an African Union Trainer in peace support operations, Sylvie has extensive experience advocating for the political and social rights of women in Africa and worldwide.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
