Women at the Table: Reclaiming Narratives of Peace and Inclusion in the Middle East

The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Regional Hub at the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) at the American University of Beirut, in collaboration with the Middle East Council on Global Affairs (ME Council), hosted a public panel discussion on the sidelines of the third convening of the Women, Peace, and Security Working Group for the Arab States in Doha, Qatar. Titled “Women at the Table: Reclaiming Narratives of Peace and Inclusion in the Middle East,” the event took place on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, and focused on amplifying women’s voices and reclaiming narratives of peace and inclusion.​

Ms. Sarah Douglas, Deputy Chief of Peace and Security at UN Women, delivered the keynote/opening remarks on behalf of UN Women as a co-organizer and co-lead of the WPS Working Group. She underscored UN Women’s commitment to advancing the WPS agenda in the Arab States, emphasizing the necessity of women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes. She highlighted the critical role of the WPS Working Group in fostering collaboration among stakeholders, bridging policy and practice, and ensuring that women’s voices shape peace and security efforts across the region.

Dr. Dalal Iriqat, Associate Professor of Diplomacy at the Arab American University in Palestine, opened the session by highlighting the disproportionate impact of occupation and conflict on Palestinian women. She noted that while past conflicts with Israel predominantly affected men—67% male casualties versus 14% female—the dynamics have shifted, with women and children now comprising 70% of the victims. Palestinian women, she emphasized, are not merely passive victims but active agents of change, providing healthcare, education, and humanitarian aid while resisting systemic oppression. She also underscored the plight of hundreds of Palestinian women detained in Israeli prisons, stressing the urgent need for justice and meaningful inclusion in peace processes beyond token representation.

Dr. Rouba Mhaissen, Founder and Director of SAWA for Development, shifted the discussion to Syria, where over 70% of displaced and internally displaced households are headed by women. These women navigate survival in conflict zones, negotiate access to aid, and lead informal mediation efforts, yet remain absent from official peace negotiations. She emphasized that women have long been at the heart of community resilience and must be recognized as key stakeholders in political settlements rather than relegated to the margins.

Dr. Nourah Shuaibi, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Kuwait University, explored the evolving role of women in shaping foreign policy and peace efforts. Traditionally, gender norms positioned men as fighters and women as caregivers; however, modern realities have transformed these roles. Women are increasingly active beyond the domestic sphere, playing central roles in protests, grassroots peacebuilding, and humanitarian initiatives across the region—from Sudan and Syria to Lebanon and Kuwait. She also stressed the importance of male allies in dismantling patriarchal structures that confine women’s influence to civil society rather than political leadership.

Ms. Karma Ekmekji, Lead Advisor for the WPS Hub at IFI, emphasized the necessity of proactive engagement. “If we don’t push, ask, and try, we will never be at the table. Conflict creates opportunities, and we must seize them,” she asserted. She also highlighted the power of networks in diplomacy and policymaking, stating, “Your network is your net worth.” She argued that women possess a unique ability to transform crises into opportunities—often in ways men do not perceive. Introducing the “diplo-preneurship” concept, she advocated for a multifaceted approach that integrates mediation, politics, and the private sector. She contended that early training in diplomacy and negotiation is crucial to ensuring women’s long-term impact on peace processes.

Dr. Dalia Ghanem, senior fellow and director of the Conflict and Security program at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, expertly moderated the discussion, guiding the conversation toward key challenges and opportunities for women’s participation in peace processes. With a keen ability to engage panelists and audience members alike, she ensured a dynamic and insightful dialogue.

The discussion addressed key themes, including occupation, systemic injustice, grassroots activism, and institutional representation. Panelists explored critical questions such as: How do occupation and systemic injustice impact women’s security and participation in peacebuilding? What innovative strategies have women developed to overcome barriers? How can the gap between grassroots activism and formal negotiations be bridged? What mechanisms can protect women peacebuilders in conflict zones? Meanwhile, the panel underscored the urgent need to institutionalize women’s roles in peacebuilding, ensuring their contributions extend beyond grassroots efforts to formal negotiations. Without their full inclusion, peace agreements risk being unsustainable and disconnected from those most affected by conflict.
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The event concluded with a resounding call to action: to move beyond rhetoric and translate policies into tangible, lasting solutions for inclusive and just peace in the MENA region.