Women Using Media to Mobilize for Peace

Women are on the frontlines of peacebuilding worldwide. As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, networked, and mediated, so do the tools of peacebuilding. Social media in particular is used to raise awareness, advocate issues, connect people, and mobilize movements. For that reason, and in recognition of the daily work that women peacebuilders do, OEF program Our Secure Future, brought together four prominent female peacebuilders for a panel discussion in celebration of International Day of Peace. The paneliists shared how they, and other women worldwide, are mobilizing for peace using social media.

The panel discussion was co-hosted by the United Nations Association of Denver and the Sié Center of the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies.

The panel featured: 

• Jamie Dobie, Executive Director of Peace is Loud
• Chantal Pierrat, Founder of Emerging Women
• Iman Jodeh, Executive Director of Meet the Middle East
• Pardis Mahdavi, Acting Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies

Opening remarks were made by Our Secure Future director Sahana Dharmapuri, and the panel was moderated by Marie Berry, Assistant Professor at the Korbel School of international Studies.

Some key takeaways from the discussion include:

• the need to conceptualize new forms of leadership,
•  the recognition of women’s initiatives cross-culturally- not just in the United States, and
• the importance of producing counternarratives about women peacebuilders

Learn more about the key takeaways from the discussion here.