IWPG and Argentina’s Gran Chaco Foundation Discuss Women-Led Peace Cooperation Ahead of UN CSW
In January 2026, the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Global Region 2 held an online meeting with the Gran Chaco Foundation, a civil society organization based in Argentina, to explore potential cooperation centered on women-led peacebuilding and international civic engagement.
The discussion took place via Zoom and focused on how women’s active participation at the community level can contribute to sustainable peace, social stability, and effective governance. The meeting was arranged as a preparatory exchange ahead of the upcoming United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
Local Experience Meets International Peace Vision
The Gran Chaco Foundation has worked across the Gran Chaco region of South America for more than 20 years. Since its establishment in 2003, the organization has supported over 400 women leaders and thousands of community members through long-term, locally rooted programs.
Operating across six provinces and within a trinational network spanning Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia, the foundation focuses on organizing women and community members, strengthening leadership capacity, and supporting women’s participation in policy and institutional decision-making processes. Its work is supported by dozens of local branches and partner organizations, enabling community voices to be reflected within formal systems.
This approach closely aligns with IWPG’s emphasis on women as active agents of peace rather than passive beneficiaries. Through women’s peace education, community-linked initiatives, and advocacy campaigns, IWPG has consistently promoted women’s leadership in peacebuilding at both local and international levels.
Dialogue Ahead of the UN Commission on the Status of Women
The meeting was held in advance of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and aimed to explore collaboration opportunities among CSW-registered civil society organizations. As both organizations discussed potential participation in CSW-related events, they agreed to hold a preliminary online meeting to exchange perspectives and identify possible areas of cooperation.
During the discussion, both sides recognized that grassroots experiences in the Gran Chaco region intersect with major global challenges, including poverty reduction, climate change response, and governance strengthening. They explored ways to connect local field-based work with international civil society networks to enhance impact and visibility.
The Gran Chaco Foundation expressed strong interest in using CSW participation as an opportunity to expand its global partnerships and build a cooperative network with diverse civil society organizations. In this context, the foundation showed particular interest in IWPG’s mission and accumulated experience in international cooperation, expressing hope for a continued relationship based on mutual trust.
Shared Understanding of Women’s Role in Sustainable Peace
Both organizations agreed that women’s organization, capacity-building, and leadership are essential for policies and institutions to function effectively. They also acknowledged that international civil society networks formed during CSW could serve as a foundation for future joint actions rooted in local realities.
Lee Seo-yeon, Director of IWPG Global Region 2, noted that women’s active participation is the starting point for sustainable peace and emphasized that engagement with locally grounded organizations such as the Gran Chaco Foundation aligns with the core purpose of CSW.
Fabiana Menna, President of the Gran Chaco Foundation, also highlighted that social change becomes most sustainable when local women are organized and empowered, expressing hope that the dialogue would lead to shared direction and continued international cooperation.
Looking Ahead
While no formal agreement has yet been announced, the discussion marked an important step toward potential women-led peace cooperation between Asia and South America. By connecting local community experience with international peace platforms, both organizations signaled a shared commitment to expanding women-centered approaches to peace and development through global civil society collaboration.
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