The Women, Gender, and Peace Building Panel (RC07.15) took place Sunday, July 13 starting at 11 a.m. It was chaired by Dr. Marybeth Ulrich. These papers were presented:

Forging Peace in Troubled Times: A Woman’s Narrative from the Kuki- Naga Conflict

Author: Miss Hatchingthem Haokip 

This paper examines the Kuki-Naga conflict (1992–1998) in Manipur, India, focusing on humanity and resilience amid violence through the story of Pastor Matia, a Naga pastor who saved Kuki women from Naga insurgents. The paper uses Émile Durkheim's theory of anomie and Viktor Frankl's theory of logotherapy.

The Role of Women in Advancing the Resolution of the Western Sahara Conflict

Author: Dr. Yasmine Hasnaoui

This paper examines women’s participation in mediation and diplomacy, focusing on Morocco’s progress in gender-inclusive peacebuilding within the context of the Western Sahara conflict. The author argues that increasing women's participation in Moroccan diplomatic efforts can help break the political stalemate, drawing on case studies to demonstrate their contributions. 

Reimagining ‘Negotiation’: Locating ‘Security’ in Afghan Women’s Narratives

Author: Dr. Debangana Chatterjee

This paper reimagines “negotiation” through a gender lens, moving beyond formal diplomatic spaces to explore how Afghan women negotiate survival and security in the aftermath of the 2021 Taliban takeover. The article calls for centering marginalized perspectives to rethink IR’s gendered hierarchies.

Mediation and the Armed Conflict in Nagaland: Special Reference to the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) and Watsu Mongdung

Author: Dr. J Nukshimenla Lemtur

This paper explores India’s nation-building challenges in the Northeast, focusing on the armed conflict in Nagaland since 1947. It examines how Naga women-led organizations (Naga Mothers’ Association and Watsu Mongdung) have played a crucial role in peacebuilding amid militarization and human rights violations. The paper is qualitative using interviews, narratives, and historical analysis to understand the experiences of Naga people and the role of women in conflict resolution

 

The discussant, Dr. Farahanaz Faizal, raised the following overall themes/questions following the presentations:

  1. Structural Barriers: What explains the disconnect between women's diplomatic and political representation? What reforms could address this imbalance?
  2. Informal Peacebuilding Mechanics: How are intergroup religious spaces operationalized during conflict? What strategies mitigate risks in these unofficial mediation efforts?
  3. Scaling Local Impact: How can women's grassroots peace initiatives transition from informal community work to formal policy influence without losing autonomy?
  4. Global Responsibility/support: What concrete actions can international actors take to support women in contexts where their rights are systematically erased?

 

Dr. Faizal also highlighted the following themes:

  • The tension between localized, lived expertise and formal peace processes
  • The need to redefine “legitimate” peacebuilding beyond traditional institutional frameworks
  • The role of cultural production in sustaining resistance narratives
  • The imperative for transnational solidarity to support local efforts 

The discussion revealed persistent gaps between formal gender-inclusion policies and their implementation, with structural barriers and institutional resistance limiting women’s political participation despite existing reforms. Grassroots women play vital roles in conflict mediation and community peacebuilding, often leveraging trusted local networks like religious institutions to facilitate dialogue through shared cultural practices. However, their contributions remain marginalized in formal decision-making spaces due to systemic exclusion mechanisms, including patriarchal social norms and legal frameworks that restrict women’s institutional power.

 

A recurring critique focused on the international community’s contradictions—advocating for women’s inclusion while sidelining them in practice, particularly in peace processes where their expertise is dismissed. This highlights tensions between local agencies and global power structures, where top-down policies often fail to address on-the-ground realities. The conversation emphasized the need to redefine “expertise” to value lived experience, alongside stronger accountability for institutions that perpetuate exclusion. Ultimately, meaningful inclusion requires both dismantling systemic barriers and amplifying unconventional forms of leadership already demonstrated by women in conflict-affected communities.

 

The discussion also included some actionable recommendations:

  • Scholars should document and amplify marginalized narratives through interdisciplinary research;
  • Advocates should lobby for institutional reforms;
  • Global allies should use platforms like conferences to pressure governments on unfulfilled commitments.