The Negotiators Negotiating a Place for Women at the Peace Table
Jan 9, 2026
Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini, founder of the International Civil Society Action Network and a leading voice in peacebuilding, shares her transformative journey in advocating for women's roles in peace processes. She discusses how witnessing crises and journalism shaped her mission, leading to the historic U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325. Sanam highlights the importance of women's perspectives in conflict and the ongoing struggle to ensure their voices are not sidelined. Her engaging anecdotes reveal both the victories and the challenges still faced in the quest for true gender equality in peace and security.
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From Journalism To Peace Advocacy
- Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini described how covering Mandela's inauguration and the Rwandan genocide propelled her from journalism into conflict prevention work.
- A 1998 London conference with women from 50 conflict-affected countries catalyzed a campaign to push for women's inclusion in peace processes.
Why The Security Council Struggled
- The Security Council views peace through a state-centred lens, making internal conflicts and civil-society actors hard to fit into its remit.
- Sanam argued that rape and community destruction in internal wars require widening the council's definition of peace and security.
Frame Messages To Fit Existing Agendas
- Frame advocacy to match existing priorities of powerful actors, not as confrontational demands.
- Sanam recommended emphasizing women's practical contributions to peace rather than abstract 'gender' language to win council buy-in.