IWPG Global Region 1 Hosts “Only Peace Conference 2026” to Strengthen Women’s Leadership in Peacebuilding

The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Global Region 1 recently held the 2026 Only Peace Conference, an online event focused on strengthening women’s leadership and developing a shared vision for peace.

The conference took place on February 28, 2026, bringing together approximately 80 participants from multiple countries, including South Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, India, Eswatini, and the United States.

Held under the theme “Voices of Peace: How Women Have Protected Peace,” the conference created a platform for women peace leaders to share experiences from peace education initiatives and discuss practical approaches to peacebuilding at the community level.

Women Leaders Share Peacebuilding Experiences

During the conference, speakers from different regions presented examples of peace initiatives and community engagement, highlighting how women contribute to conflict prevention and social change.

Erlinda Olivia Tiu, Vice President of the National Women’s Federation of the Philippines, emphasized that violence cannot provide lasting solutions. She stressed that sustainable peace can only be achieved through dialogue and mutual respect.

She also shared experiences related to cooperation between IWPG and Leyte Normal University, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at expanding peace education and strengthening the capacity of women and youth.

From Indonesia, Ataya Rumaysha, Director of the Lentera Habibi Aceh Foundation, spoke about the role of women in driving community transformation. She explained that women in Aceh contribute to peacebuilding through compassion, empathy, and responsibility, emphasizing the importance of peace education and international cooperation in spreading a culture of nonviolence.

Meanwhile, Omgubu Odiri Obukoho Margaret, a peace committee leader from Nigeria, highlighted the importance of women’s participation in peace processes. She stated that peace cannot be complete without women’s involvement and stressed the need for both international solidarity and institutional support to strengthen peace initiatives.

Emphasizing Women’s Solidarity for Sustainable Peace

Throughout the conference, speakers repeatedly emphasized that women’s solidarity and civic engagement are essential drivers of sustainable peace.

Participants discussed practical approaches that civil society organizations and community leaders can take to expand peace education and encourage citizen participation in peacebuilding activities.

In her concluding remarks, Kang Yeon-kyung, Global Director of IWPG Global Region 1, described the conference as a meaningful opportunity to observe how women are growing into leaders who help prevent conflict and bring positive change to local communities through peace education.

Expanding Global Peace Education and Cooperation

According to IWPG Global Region 1, the strategies discussed during the conference will guide future initiatives, including:

• Expanding peace education programs

• Strengthening the capacity of peace instructors

• Expanding global women’s peace networks

The organization also plans to deepen cooperation with international organizations and NGOs through participation in the 70th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). By building stronger partnerships, IWPG aims to expand peace initiatives that begin at the community level and extend globally.

A Platform for Women-Led Peace Dialogue

The Only Peace Conference is one of IWPG’s key international platforms where community leaders gather to exchange ideas, share experiences, and discuss practical solutions for peacebuilding.

IWPG is an international women’s NGO registered with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC). Through women’s peace education programs and global peace networks, the organization works to promote sustainable peace and encourage active participation from women around the world.

By bringing together voices from multiple countries, the 2026 Only Peace Conference highlighted the growing role of women leaders in shaping peace initiatives and strengthening global cooperation for a more peaceful future.

Source: https://vo.la/XpnUhPm