WLIF facilitates diplomatic missions led by Mary Robinson and other international women leaders to conflict-affected countries. The purpose of these missions is connect women leaders across the world; amplify local women’s voices and priorities to key decision makers; and increase the participation of women in achieving sustainable peace.
March 2009
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda
WLIF partnered with Oxfam International to bring a delegation of women leaders to the DRC and Rwanda. The goals of the mission were to highlight the acute humanitarian crisis in North Kivu, especially as it affects women and girls; to encourage the Governments of the DRC and of Rwanda to use the development of their respective UNSCR1325 National Action Plans to link women across their common border and strengthen their bilateral relationship; and to leverage the power of women leaders to bring positive change.
As a result of this trip, WLIF will support women leaders in the Great Lakes Region who are working under the auspices of the Great Lakes Secretariat to formulate a regional National Action Plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
January 2009
The Second Sudanese Women’s Forum on Darfur
The Second Sudanese Women’s Forum provided a safe space for over 100 Sudanese women to develop and deepen relationships among themselves and with African and international women leaders. Women from all three regions of Darfur, Khartoum and Southern Sudan adopted a constitution, elected a steering committee, mobilized the international press around the situation of women in Darfur, and began to formulate a common agenda for peace. WLIF will support the Third Sudanese Women's Forum in El Fasher, Darfur in October 2009.
November 2008
Israel, occupied Palestinian territories and Jordan
WLIF traveled to the West Bank, Gaza and Israel to explore how UNSCR 1325 can serve as a foundation for agreement among adversaries and increase peace and security in the region. Mary Robinson and Robert Serry, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and the Personal Representative of the UN Secretary-General to the PLO and the Palestinian Authority, released a joint statement underscoring the importance of UNSCR 1325. WLIF will pursue opportunities to connect Jordan and Palestinian women in the development of UNSCR 1325 National Action Plans.
September 2007
Chad
In September 2007, a trip of eight women leaders led by Mary Robinson visited the refugee camps of Chad. After working with local women to influence local leaders, members of the delegation flew from Chad to Europe to meet with senior officials in several key governments, including Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Undersecretary of State Rama Yade of France; Development Minister Heidemarie Weiczorek Zeul of Germany; and Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom. A subgroup of the delegation also briefed the UN Secretary-General, Permanent Representatives of member states, and the UN Security Council on the state of the crisis in Chad and Darfur, particularly as experienced by local populations and women.
