On 11 June, the Democratic Progress Institute (DPI) hosted a roundtable discussion in Istanbul titled “The Role of Women in Conflict Resolution”, hosted by the Consulates General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Switzerland. The event convened civil society representatives, academics, and conflict resolution experts to explore the critical yet often under-recognised contributions of women to peacebuilding processes.
The discussion opened with remarks from Arjen Uijterlinde, Consul General of the Netherlands; Philippe Brandt, Consul General of Switzerland; and Clare Brosnan, Ambassador of Ireland to Türkiye. Each emphasised their governments’ ongoing commitment to gender equality and inclusive peace, underlining the importance of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda as framed by UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Speakers noted that while women are often among those most affected by conflict, they are also essential agents of change—yet continue to face barriers to formal participation in peace processes.
Keynote speaker Jane Morrice, founding member of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition (NIWC) and former Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, delivered a powerful and personal reflection on her experiences as a peacebuilder. She described how the NIWC emerged during one of Northern Ireland’s most divided and violent periods, united by the belief that inclusive dialogue and the active involvement of women were essential to achieving lasting peace. Despite facing resistance, the Coalition succeeded in influencing the Good Friday Agreement, securing provisions on social inclusion, education, and human rights.
Morrice stressed that the inclusion of women in negotiations shifted the tone and direction of the peace talks, introducing perspectives and priorities often overlooked in traditional political discourse. She encouraged emerging peacebuilders to create space where it does not yet exist and to persist in the face of setbacks, reminding the audience that peace is not a single moment but an ongoing process requiring vision, courage, and collaboration.
The event concluded with a dynamic Q&A session and open discussion. Participants reflected on the broader lessons of the Northern Ireland peace process and examined how women’s participation can be further strengthened in other conflict-affected and polarised contexts. Themes included inclusive dialogue, the role of grassroots movements, and strategies for embedding women’s voices in both formal negotiations and wider peacebuilding initiatives. The conversation reinforced the urgent need to move beyond tokenism and ensure that women are not only included but empowered to lead.
