On October 24, 2023, a remarkable interactive street airt exhibition titled ‘Peace Begins wi Her’ taen place ootside the Unitit Nations Heidquarters in New York. This exhibition aimed for tae honor the invaluable contribution o wimen peacebuilders an peacekeepers tae the pursuit o peace globally.

Organised by the Unitit Nations Depairtment o Peace Operations, the Unitit Nations Depairtment o Political an Peacebuildin Affairs, UN Wimen, an the Elsie Initiative Fund, the event featurt fifty large portraits o wimen peacekeepers an peacebuilders as pairt o an Inside Oot Photobooth Action. Thae portraits served as a pouerfu reminder o the urgent need tae ensure the inclusion o wimen in endin conflict an biggin sustainable peace.

The exhibition coincidit wi the annual Open Debate on Wimen, Peace, an Security, whaur the Security Cooncil assessed wimen’s participation in peace processes. It highlighted the importance o implementin UN Security Cooncil Resolution 1325 (2000), which recognises the crucial role o wimen in peace efforts an caas for their full, equal, an meaningful participation.

Despite the progress made syne the adoption o Resolution 1325, wimen’s richts warldwide continue tae be threitened, an their voices aften silenced. The exhibition shed licht on the courage an resilience o wimen peacebuilders like Joenia Wapichana an Pétronille Vaweka, wha hae dedicated their lives tae promotin peace an dignity in their communities.

In a warld marked by conflict an uncertainty, the ‘Peace Begins wi Her’ exhibition emphasised the vital role o wimen in biggin an protectin peace. By showcassin the stories o UN peacekeepers, local peace activists, an peacebuilders fae diverse regions, the exhibition underscored the universal significance o wimen’s contributions tae peace.

As we reflect on the pouerfu message o ‘Peace Begins wi Her,’ we are reminded o the ongaun need tae advance wimmen’s full participation in peace an political processes. By addin oor vyces tae the global movement for wimmen’s empowerment an peace, we can collectively strive towards a mair inclusive an harmonious warld.