International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)

?? In this week’s #WASLWeekly, discover how inspiring women #peacebuilders from the ICAN-led #WASL network made their mark at #CSW69, championing gender equality & sustainable peace. 1. Nargis Nehan & FARAGEER organized the event “From #Afghanistan to New York: Afghan Women Calling for Action,” emphasizing that #Afghan women keep rising & raising their voices for the rights of women & their communities, despite facing extreme oppression. 2. Wai Wai Nu, Women's Peace Network, joined the panel “Gender Justice & the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty Initiative,” highlighting the crisis in #Myanmar & the need for a victim & survivor-centered approach. 3. Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling - WCLAC participated in a parallel event entitled “Women from Arab States Amplifying their Voices,” organized by the Arab Network for Women & Children’s Rights, & joined a UN Session to share their work & the experiences of women in #Palestine & #Gaza. 4. Zarqa Yaftali, WCLRF, spoke at events on the situation of #Afghan women, spotlighting the serious, inhumane treatment of women under the Taliban, the plight of Afghan refugees, & the need for global action to #EndGenderApartheid. 5. WHRDMENA Coalition gathered at #CSW69 to celebrate 10 years of WHRD MENA & 20 years of WHRD-IC – two coalitions that persist despite constant & extreme repression, to stand with women human rights defenders & women #peacebuilders. 6. Reach Out Cameroon was represented by Deputy Director, Lundi-Anne Omam, PhD, MScGH, who shared their work & mission to uplift marginalized women & communities in #Cameroon.?

#WPSWednesday: In our weekly #NewsRoundUp, we share peace and security related news and updates from around the world. Let us know what you've been reading in the comments! ??? "Principles for #Syria's Transition" Read the statement from #WASL partner Center for Civil Society and Democracy CCSD: https://lnkd.in/dKU_6DAr ?? "UN report on #Israel's gender-based violence and genocidal acts against women's health facilities must spur action to protect #Palestinians" Amnesty International: https://lnkd.in/eYsEVims ??? "US Plays Spoiler at Annual Gathering on Women's Rights" Damilola BANJO, PassBlue: https://lnkd.in/ebFcPUdy ?? "UN tells #Afghan rulers: no peace and prosperity until they reverse bans on women and girls" The Associated Press: https://lnkd.in/eGguTZvq ??? "There's not enough money - so why spend it on gender equality and justice?" Caroline Harper, Ayesha Khan, Evie Browne, and Ján Michalko, PhD, ODI Global: https://lnkd.in/erXBykq9 ?? "#Afghan women who fled Taliban to study abroad face imminent return after #USAID cuts" Yogita Limaye, BBC News: https://lnkd.in/e5g4uWjf

Deep gratitude to International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) and its partners for bringing together Afghan women peacebuilders, artists, and allies for the #WatanEMa – #OurHomeland event took place on Mar 17,2025. AWNI had the privilege of participating in this event in #NYC, we jointly honor #AfghanWomen leadership, resistance, and unwavering vision for a future of peace and equality. @whatthewomensay dedication to amplifying Afghan women's voices is truly inspiring. #AfghanWomen #Peacebuilders #WatanEMa #OurHomeland #WomenLeadPeace #AWNI

?? ICAN is looking for a Program Intern! Join our team dedicated to supporting women #peacebuilders worldwide in promoting gendered peace and security ????? Learn more and apply by April 14 ?? https://lnkd.in/ejMH5hqK

?? Meet the Afghan women peacebuilders, artists, and partners of Watan e Ma – Our Homeland! Today, at “Watan e Ma – Our Homeland: Women of Afghanistan Keeping the Flame of Freedom Alive,” we will gather to recognize the courage, strategy, and relentless work of #Afghan women #peacebuilders. Through their leadership, resistance, and vision, they continue to shape #Afghanistan’s future—despite facing extreme oppression. Swipe through to learn more and be there in person to stand with them! ??? ?? RSVP: https://lnkd.in/eRUzq3Nm? #WataneMaAfghanistan #OurHomelandAfghanistan #Nowruz #CSW69 #WomenPeacebuilders Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) New Development and Relief Organization - NDRO Charmaghz FARAGEER Afghans for Progressive Thinking (APT) WCLRF AnomalousCo Mina's List World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Een van de jongens

If you are in NYC for #csw69 don’t miss this ???????????? ?? A special live performance by Nina Viktoria Yaqob @wethewomenglobal is proud to be collaborating on this remarkable cultural event with International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) ?? An evening of culture, resilience, and resistance. On March 17, 2025, we will gather in New York City to honor Afghan women #peacebuilders at “Watan e Ma – Our Homeland: Women of Afghanistan Keeping the Flame of Freedom Alive.” Coinciding with #Nowruz, a celebration of renewal now banned in #Afghanistan, we will celebrate #Afghan women’s courage and resistance in their pursuit of a new day of peace, freedom, and equality. ?? Art. Music. Poetry. Teach-ins. Film screenings. Strength. ?? ?? March 17, 2025 | 3 PM - 9 PM ?? Blue Gallery, NYC Stand in solidarity. Don’t miss out! #WataneMaAfghanistan #OurHomelandAfghanistan #WTWGlobal #WTW

In case you have missed the comms on this, tomorrow is the day! March 17th is a celebration! Join us at "Watan a Ma - Our Homeland: Women of #Afghanistan Keeping the Flame of Freedom Alive." There will be poetry, art, music, dance, teach-ins, and solidarity! #WataneMaAfghanistan #CSW69 #OurHomelandAfghanistan See you there!

?? ?? Meet the artists of Watan e Ma – Our Homeland! Next week in NYC, at our event “Watan a Ma – Our Homeland: Women of #Afghanistan Keeping the Flame of Freedom Alive,” #Afghan artists will showcase their work—art and music that speaks to resilience, identity, and a people’s unwavering strength. Join us on March 17 for an evening of art, music, storytelling, and solidarity to honor #Afghan women #peacebuilders. Swipe through to learn more and RSVP today! ??? ??? https://lnkd.in/eRUzq3Nm? #WataneMaAfghanistan #OurHomelandAfghanistan #Nowruz #CSW69

?? Meet the Afghan women peacebuilders of Watan e Ma – Our Homeland! On March 17, at “Watan e Ma – Our Homeland: Women of Afghanistan Keeping the Flame of Freedom Alive,” we will gather to recognize the courage, strategy, and relentless work of #Afghan women #peacebuilders. Through their leadership, resistance, and vision, they continue to shape #Afghanistan’s future—despite facing extreme oppression. Swipe through to learn more and be there in person to stand with them. ??? ?? RSVP: https://lnkd.in/eRUzq3Nm? #WataneMaAfghanistan #OurHomelandAfghanistan #Nowruz #CSW69 #WomenPeacebuilders Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) New Development and Relief Organization - NDRO Charmaghz FARAGEER Afghans for Progressive Thinking (APT) WCLRF AnomalousCo Mina's List World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Een van de jongens

Check out our #WASLWeekly to learn more about women #peacebuilders in the ICAN-spearheaded #WASL network and see examples of their innovative approaches to strengthening peace, security, and the #WPS agenda. 1. North West Region, #Cameroon: Centre for Advocacy in Gender Equality and Action for Development celebrated the launch of the Community Women Peacebuilders Network, which aims to strengthen the capacity of local community members and women #peacebuilders to localize the #WomenPeaceSecurity Agenda. 2. Tirana, #Albania: Supported by ICAN, WCDCA launched their new project to develop research capabilities on preventing and countering #ViolentExtremism and strengthening the #WPS agenda at the University of Tirana. 3. Bethlehem, #Palestine: Wi’am organized a sit-in, alongside community members, activists, CSOs, and journalists to mark #IWD2025 and call attention to the suffering of Palestinian women, the ongoing violence, forced displacement, and occupation. 4. New York, #USA: Peace Track Initiative (PTI)’s Nesmah Mansoor ALI briefed the UN Security Council, highlighting the crises of armed conflict, climate change, and environmental degradation in #Yemen. Watch the full briefing: https://lnkd.in/egBcepSZ 5. Kilifi, #Kenya: COEC joined local partners, CSOs, and communities to celebrate #InternationalWomensDay and work together to strengthen action for gender equality. 6. #Iraq: In collaboration with the British Embassy and Women for Women International, Odessa Organization for Women's Development brought together local communities to celebrate #IWD2025. 7. #Colombia: Corporación de Investigación y Acción Social y Económica - CIASE joined a strategic advocacy dialogue alongside Colombian government representatives, ambassadors, multilateral and peer organizations, to strengthen the Latin American Network for #Peacebuilding and Security through a grassroots and feminist approach. 8. #SouthSudan: Women Relief Aid continue to work with local women to strengthen peace and security in local communities. WRA also continues its project with Skateistan to encourage young girls to have fun and learn new skills through skateboarding.