International Women’s Day 2026
WIIS Brussels would like to pay tribute to all the women suffering, resisting and fighting in conflicts. Russia’s war against Ukraine is now in its fourth year, and there is war in Gaza and in Iran involving sixteen countries across the Middle East, as well as in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Pakistan and Afghanistan, Thailand and Cambodia, and many other countries.
In 2025, there was the highest number of conflicts since World War II. According to Handicap International, 700 million women in the world live less than 50 km away from a conflict, the highest figure since 1990.
At this very tense moment, where hate, violence and the rule of force seem to have replaced cooperation, solidarity, equality and the rule of law, only 7% of women participated in UN peace process negotiations in 2025.
WIIS Brussels would like to pay tribute to all those women who set an example of higher standards of survival, resilience, efforts in building inclusive societies and hope.
WIIS Brussels calls for stronger inclusion of women in peace and security decision-making, meaningful participation in peace negotiations, and greater international commitment to protecting women and girls in conflict zones.
Sustainable peace is not possible without the full participation of women.
Isabelle Montoya, President of WIIS Brussels
Steering Committee WIIS Brussels
