Peacebuilding often begins where it’s least expected—at the grassroots level where many women are actively rebuilding their communities. Yet, despite global commitments, women remain largely excluded from peace processes. In 2024, women accounted for in formal peace processes worldwide—and many peace talks still include no women at all.
In Peru, the numbers echo this global gap. Only 17.3 per cent of participants in national dialogue forums are women. In rural and Indigenous communities, fewer than six per cent of leadership roles are held by women. But at the grassroots level, a quiet revolution is taking root.
Photo above: Over 300 women leaders rise as peacebuilders in Peru through the peacebuilding initiative.
When women rise?
To bridge this gap, the (UNDP) launched a grant competition backed by the UN Peacebuilding Fund to empower women-led organizations to drive peacebuilding. Four grassroots groups were selected to lead the charge.
With technical support and funding, the impact was immediate. More than 300 women were trained as peacebuilders in their communities. They quickly began facilitating community dialogues on critical issues like health and education, bridging the divide between citizens and decision-makers.
Rosa Cachi, President, Women's Federation in Puno, PeruI ran for president in my community, and they told me I wouldn't govern well. But if we manage our homes, how can we not manage our town?"
Indigenous women peacebuilders?
Rosa Cachi faced intense bias when stepping into leadership but she didn't back down. Today, she leads a network of indigenous textile artisans and is part of a Women for Peace peacebuilding initiative. She has helped unite over 130 women in Puno to transform how social conflicts are prevented and resolved, ensuring women's voices shape the province's agenda.
Fiorella Pérez, Loreto, PeruI lived in fear for 11 years. They threatened to kill us. We know the reality but we are not taken into account.”
Channeling experience into action
Fiorella Pérez from Loreto, Peru, faced a different kind of challenge. After being relocated to land under legal dispute, she suffered violence for defending her home, but she channeled her experience into action. Through the initiative, she proudly helped to create two Conflict Prevention Committees and is formalizing the Loreto Women's Network. These spaces are now vital for preventing the very land disputes that once threatened her family.
Rewriting the rules
Peacebuilding initiatives like Rimanakuy represent more than just training or funding. They are planting the seeds for a cultural shift. Women like Rosa and Fiorella are rewriting unwritten societal rules, proving that women belong in public spaces, leading the charge for a peaceful future.
The peacebuilding initiative has helped open four regional prevention offices and launched an online course on conflict prevention that has already enrolled over 2,000 civil servants.
Our partners in peacebuilding in Peru
For 20 years, the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund has empowered people to rebuild their communities and countries in the aftermath of conflict and crisis, working with them to build the resilience needed to prevent the recurrence of violence and secure lasting peace.
The initiatives are implemented by various partners in Peru, including the , , the as well as the Government and local partners.
UN Peacebuilding initiatives are made possible by the generous contributions of Member States and the indispensable support of implementing partners, including UN agencies and local organizations.