Women Leaders Intercultural Forum

WLIF chaired the Agenda Committee for the International Colloquium on Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security, which was co-convened by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and President Tarja Halonen of Finland in Monrovia, Liberia on March 7-8, 2009.

WLIF helped articulate the goals and objectives of the Colloquium, identified theme leads, coordinated the substantive input for each programmatic area, and led the drafting of the Monrovia Declaration. Realizing Rights also worked with partners to develop the Women’s Economic Empowerment and UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 thematic work at the Colloquium.

The Angie Brooks International Center was launched on March 8, 2009 to carry forward the work of the International Colloquium and to serve as a resource for Liberian women. Read more about the International Colloquium on Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security.
Colloquium Website: www.womenscolloquium.org

UN Security Council Resolution 1325

WLIF promotes the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 on women, peace and security by:

- encouraging countries to create National Action Plans (NAPs), to link the development and implementation of NAPs with other countries through 'twinning' strategies, and to use the formulation process as a peace-building strategy; and

- increasing the participation of women in efforts to achieve sustainable peace by amplifying their voices and priorities.

Women Leaders Diplomacy Missions

WLIF is working with partners in the field to implement UNSCR 1325 and to serve as a resource base and catalyst for activity worldwide by non-governmental organizations, governments and international organizations and other key advocates to secure needed changes.

WLIF facilitates diplomatic missions by Mary Robinson and other international women leaders to conflict-affected countries. The objectives of these missions are to connect women leaders at the local, national and international levels; amplify local women’s voices and priorities and bring their concerns to key decision-makers; and increase the participation of women in achieving sustainable peace. WLIF has led several Women Leaders Diplomacy Missions to Africa, including missions to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Chad; and a mission to support the Sudanese Women's Forum on Darfur. WLIF has also led a mission to Jordan, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Partnership with Liberia

WLIF supports the Government of Liberia on the implementation of UNSCR 1325 by supporting; the development of the Angie Brooks International Center; the peer-learning process on UNSCR 1325 with Ireland; and by advocating for increased financial and other resources for Liberia, particularly for activities that benefit women and girls.

Read about WLIF Activities with Liberia and the International Colloquium on Women's Empowerment, Leadership, Peace and Security

Strategic Opportunities for Change

WLIF responds to strategic opportunities to strengthen the women’s movement on Peace and Security, primarily in Africa. In response to the 2007 violence in Kenya, WLIF mobilized 75 women leaders to support women activists on the ground. WLIF has also supported The Women’s Trust of Zimbabwe, an NGO promoting women’s participation in decision-making. In addition, WLIF worked with The Elders on the Every Human Has Rights campaign, which commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.