Nobel Women's Initiative

Oh, Sister!: Ukrainian women's daily struggle for peace

Oh, Sister! Is a documentary about six women facing the challenges of the ongoing Russian invasion, and fighting for peace and justice in Ukraine. It shows the central role women and civil society play in keeping life going at a time of war. The film builds upon the visit of Nobel Peace Prize laureates Jody Williams, Tawakkol Karman, and Leymah Gbowee to Poland and Ukraine to meet with hundreds of displaced women and dozens of women’s organizations, human rights organizations, humanitarian agencies and activists in June 2022.

"We don't get anywhere by pacifying with politeness."

To mark this year's global #16 Days campaign, Nobel Women's initiative profiles 10 courageous women activists and human rights defenders standing up to gender-based violence in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Yemen, Myanmar, Sudan, Syria, Iraq and Ukraine. Each activist recounts a piercing personal story and shares wisdom and insight that can only be gained the hard way through experience. Each shines a light on the critical importance of solidarity among women. We are honoured and inspired by their voices.

Open Letter to the People of Iran

Mahsa Amini’s cruel death on Sept. 16 sparked massive protests in Iran. Over 120 Nobel laureates stand in solidarity with the courageous actions of the people of Iran and their calls for justice, freedom, and the protection of human rights for all citizens.

Women leading peace: Standing with women in conflict - Report

In June of this year, Nobel Peace laureates Jody Williams, Tawakkol Karman and Leymah Gbowee led a four day mission to show solidarity with women displaced in and outside of Ukraine. They met with individual activists and women's organizations to bear witness to their critical work "holding life together" for their families and communities in the midst of conflict. This report shares the women's stories and the laureates' call for an immediate withdrawal of Russian troops, full accountability for war crimes, and full participation of women in humanitarian efforts, peacebuilding and rebuilding.

Unfinished Revolution
Report

On International Women's Day this year, March 8th, Nobel Women's Initiative released its latest report Unfinished Revolution: Women's Human Rights Defenders in the Middle East and North Africa. Through the experiences and insights of 15 prominent activists from the region, it examines how the circumstances and status of women activists in general have changed since the Arab Spring in 2011. The report documents the tactics used to silence them, the strategies they use to resist and endure, and what they need to sustain their struggle. Download the report (versions in English and Arabic) and watch the video interviews.

Our vision is a world transformed through a rejection of war and militarism, violence, and discrimination, where global security is built around human rights, justice and equality for people and communities—human security—rather than the security of the nation state. It is a world where sustainable peace and protection of the environment on which all life depends is our collective priority.

We are united to increase the visibility of women working for peace, justice and equality.