10 Years of Women Wage Peace
A Decade of Dedication, Determination, and Action Toward a Political Agreement achieved with Women’s Participation
From the Editors:
Women Wage Peace is marking a decade.
We are marking this moment—not celebrating, cherishing the past while looking firmly toward the future.
This site showcases and highlights ten years of extensive, dedicated, and determined activity by thousands of women (and men) working for a better future for ourselves and our children.
We have taken decisive strategic action never despairing, even through challenging times working unapologetically, and with a profound sense of responsibility—as citizens, as mothers, as women.
When we founded the movement, in the wake of the devastating 2014 Gaza war (Operation Protective Edge), we never could have imagined that ten years later, we would still be trapped in endless cycles of violence. Now, amidst the longest war in our country’s history, we see no visible political horizon before us.
Yet, we do not despair. We continue to advocate for a respectful political agreement to end the conflict, one that will be arrived at with women’s full participation. We are hopeful and demand attentive listening. We know that only political agreements bring true security.
This is the only way! We refuse to let our children become casualties of unnecessary wars.
Our dear friend, Vivian Silver, brutally murdered in her home at Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023, used to quote Mahatma Gandhi:
"There is no path to peace. Peace is the path."
We long for an end to the war and the return of the hostages.
We hope for better days and continue working to achieve them. Join us!
In loving memory of Vivian Silver, z”l
1.
Influencing Decision-Makers
We stood outside the Prime Minister's residence; we stood outside the Knesset; we sat in tents; we fasted—matching the number of days of the 2014 Gaza war. We visited the Knesset and its committees repeatedly, drafted the “Political Alternatives First” bill, and urged political parties to include the importance of a political agreement with women's participation in their platforms. We met with decision-makers and called on citizens to vote for peace.
*Click on the image for details
2.
Shaping Public Opinion in Israel
We worked tirelessly to influence public opinion, proving peace is possible and showing that only a political agreement brings security. We preserved hope for a better future.
We did this in every way imaginable: singing, dancing, marching endlessly, shouting, blocking roads, biking, running, standing on intersections and bridges, painting, lying down, creating exhibits, protesting, crying out. We celebrated the Abraham Accords; We founded the Path to Peace initiative; We began Broadcasting Peace (a Vlog shared on social media).
*Click on the image for details
3.
Building Bridges Among Diverse Communities
We facilitated encounters between women’s groups—Jewish and Arab, secular and religious, right and left-wing, younger and older, from the outskirts and the center. We learned about the needs, challenges, and differences, searching for ways to bridge the gaps.
*Click on the image for details
4.
Highlighting Women’s Critical Role in Conflict Resolution
United Nations Resolution 1325 demands that parties to violent conflicts respect women’s rights and support their participation in peace negotiations. This resolution is central to our movement. We raised awareness and demanded its implementation.
*Click on the image for details
5.
Garnering Global Support
In 2020, we received advisory status at the UN. In 2017, we were awarded the Parliamentarians for Peace Prize. In 2024, we were Nobel Peace Prize nominees and finalists for the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize. That same year, we received multiple awards alongside Women of the Sun, including:
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The Günter Grass Prize for Press Freedom and Human Rights
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The Albies Award from the Clooney Foundation for Justice
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The Hillary Rodham Clinton Award from Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security
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The Diane von Fürstenberg Leadership Award
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Inclusion in Time magazine’s “12 Women of the Year”
We addressed the Clinton Global Initiative’s annual conference, moderated by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee.
We sent messages to world leaders (Biden and Trump) proclaiming we are Ready for Peace. Diplomats worldwide supported us, and international peace activists joined our October 2023 events, even visiting southern Israel days before the disaster.
*Click on the image for details
6.
Collaborating with Palestinian Partners
We co-wrote the “Mothers’ Call” with our Palestinian partners, which gained widespread recognition. Thousands of people, including Pope Francis, Hillary Clinton, and Nobel Peace laureates Leymah Gbowee and Shirin Ebadi, signed it.
Together, we launched joint Israeli-Palestinian projects under the U.S.-sponsored MEPPA initiative, bringing diverse Israelis to meet Palestinian women across the country.
*Click on the image for details
7.
Becoming Experts in Conflict Resolution
Collaborating with Prof. Eran Halperin, we developed creative approaches to overcoming peace barriers in Israeli society. We organized international congresses, including a youth congress in 2018, featuring an innovation hackathon for Middle Eastern peace.
We trained activists through peace-focused seminars, studied global conflict resolutions where women played key roles, and sent delegations to learn from Northern Ireland and South Africa.
We explored the connections between peace and topics like the environment, religion, and education. Our “Political Alternatives First” bill was presented at professional forums.
*Click on the image for details
8.
Collaborating with other organizations
We know the whole to be greater than the sum of its parts, therefore we cooperate with like-minded women’s and peace organizations, who share our goals.
9.
Everything We Did, We Did Together
With friendship, respect, determination, and solidarity.
10.
Milestones of 10 Years of the Movement
*Click on the image for details
