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

Organized by da United Nations Department o Peace Operations, da United Nations Department o Political an Peacebuildin Affairs, UN Wimmin, an da Elsie Initiative Fund, da event featured fifty lairge portraits o wimmin peacekeepers an peacebuilders as pairt o an Inside Oot Photobooth Action. Dese portraits served as a pouerfu reminder o da urgent need tae ensure da inclusion o wimmin in endin conflict an biggin sustainable peace.

Da exhibition coincided wi da annual Open Debate on Wimmin, Peace, an Security, whaar da Security Council assessed wimmin’s participation in peace processes. It heichlichtit da importance o implementin UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), dat recognizes da crucial role o wimmin in peace efforts an caas for their fu, equal, an meaninfu participation.

Despite da progress made syne da adoption o Resolution 1325, wimmin’s richts warldwide continue tae be threatened, an deir voices often silenced. Da exhibition shed licht on da courage an resilience o wimmin 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, da ‘Peace Begins wi Her’ exhibition emphasised da vital role o wimmin in biggin an protectin peace. By showcassin da stories o UN peacekeepers, local peace activists, an peacebuilders fae diverse regions, da exhibition underscored da universal significance o wimmin’s contributions tae peace.

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