New York, March 19, 2025—The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), under the leadership of Chairwoman Hyun Sook Yoon, showcased its pivotal role in advancing women’s peace education during its participation at the 69th UN Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW), held from March 10 to March 21. Through three significant events, IWPG amplified its efforts to promote justice and peace for women and girls in Africa.
On March 10, IWPG co-hosted a Side Event titled “Fostering Critical Pathways for Reparations, Gender Justice, and Peace for African Women and Girls: A Post-2025 Agenda” alongside major stakeholders from the African Union (AU). Partnering with organizations such as Gender Is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC), AU Women, Gender, Development and Youth Directorate (AU WGYD), AU International Center for Girl’s and Women’s Education in Africa (AU CIEFFA), and UN Women, the event took place at the Permanent Observer Mission to the UN Conference Hall.
The event commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) and the 25th anniversary of UN SCR 1325. Esteemed panelists included Simone Yankey-Ouattara of AU CIEFFA, Jeon Na-Hyeong, IWPG Secretary General, and Melissa Ruvimbo Kubvoruno, GIMAC Young Women Network Chairperson, among others. IWPG Chairwoman Yoon emphasized the transformative power of peace education, stating, “Peace education enables women to become active agents of peace to resolve imminent issues. Let’s take action for our children so that there are more capable and empowered women in the world to make peace a reality.”
IWPG further engaged participants through two additional events. On March 12, the organization hosted an online NGO parallel event, “Women Learn Peace, Women Change the World.” Attracting 600 attendees from diverse countries, the forum spotlighted successful cases of women’s peace education globally and charted future pathways for peacebuilding initiatives. Presenters highlighted IWPG’s significant impact across communities in Asia, Latin America, Europe, and beyond.
On March 18, IWPG, BMI Trust, and All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) co-hosted an offline NGO parallel event titled “Women Empowerment & Peace Education” at CCUN. Discussions focused on empowering women through education and the importance of integrating peace principles into education systems. Gyusun Lee, IWPG’s Director-General of Peace Education, delivered a keynote address, while Ratna Joshi, BMIT Chairperson, reinforced the essential role of education in women’s empowerment and equality.
These efforts coincided with International Women’s Day (March 8), a global celebration of women’s achievements and a call for gender equality. As 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of BPfA and the 25th anniversary of UN SCR 1325, IWPG’s contributions at UN CSW underscore the enduring importance of the women’s movement.
About IWPG
The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) is a global women’s NGO registered with UN ECOSOC and UN DGC, operating in 123 countries through 114 branches and partnerships with 808 organizations. Driven by the vision of achieving sustainable world peace, IWPG actively builds peace networks, promotes peace culture, delivers women’s peace education, and advocates for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).