On 10 February 2026, The Better World Organization for Community Development (BWOCD), in partnership with the Center for Gender Equality Studies at the University of Duhok, and in coordination with the High Council for Women and Development, organized a roundtable discussion titled “From Presence to Power: Advancing Women’s Active Participation.” The event was supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through Women for Women International.
Marking an important step for civic engagement in Duhok, the roundtable created a platform that elevated the voices of 150 young people into a high-level decision-making space. Ten Youth Peace Ambassadors represented these collective perspectives in a circular, non-hierarchical dialogue with government stakeholders actively working on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
The discussion connected youth with policymakers to explore practical pathways for strengthening women’s participation and advancing the regional implementation of UNSCR 1325. Drawing on insights gathered through the “Voices for Peace” consultation sessions, the Youth Peace Ambassadors presented key recommendations compiled in a booklet developed by consultants from the Center for Gender Equality Studies at the University of Duhok.
The session highlighted the importance of inclusive dialogue and demonstrated that when young people are engaged as meaningful partners in policymaking, policies become more responsive and peacebuilding efforts more sustainable.
