Marking its 7th anniversary, the global campaign achieves historic policy milestones including the first local government designation in the U.S.
SEOUL, South Korea (May 29, 2026) —Women around the world commemorated ‘April 26 World Women’s Peace Day’ through peace solidarity events held across five continents, in more than 20 countries and 53 cities.
Marking the 7th anniversary of the observance this year, thousands of citizens, women’s organizations, and educational institutions participated in various programs including peace forums, street campaigns, social media challenges, and peace walks.
April 26 was officially proclaimed in 2019 as ‘International Women’s Peace Day,’ commemorating the commitment made by women around the world on the same date in 2013 to build an international solidarity platform for ending war and promoting peace. The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), led by President Jeon Na-yeong, has continued expanding the scale of global solidarity each year in cooperation with more than 900 partner organizations worldwide.
Regional Peace Events Continue Across the United States, Mongolia, and Africa
Among this year’s overseas events, one of the most notable policy achievements was Clayton County, Georgia, in the United States officially designating April 26 as ‘International Women’s Peace Day,’ becoming the first local government in the world to do so. A commemorative event was also held at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., drawing attention from political leaders. Peace campaigns were conducted near the Giant Eyeball landmark in Dallas, Texas, and around the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. At Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, a campus discussion was held under the theme “Inner Peace and the Power of Women.”
In Mongolia, more than 800 participants gathered across Ulaanbaatar, Zavkhan, and Orkhon. In Erdenet of Orkhon, a commemorative event was attended by 487 participants including 435 students, teachers, and local officials. In Töv, approximately 200 people participated in an event jointly organized by the Governor’s Office and local organizations. In Zavkhan, despite severe storm conditions, the police department, health office, and Buddhist center joined together to complete a 7-kilometer peace walk and traffic safety campaign. As a result, government agencies agreed to continue regular walking activities in cooperation with local organizations.
Various programs were also held across Africa. At the National Library of Madagascar, a Peace Day commemorative ceremony was held with the attendance of the Princess. Near Bamako, the capital of Mali, peace talks and live broadcasts were conducted. In Nairobi, Kenya; Kampala, Uganda; and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, participants organized hand-sign campaigns and social media challenges. Participants in Kenya stated that they had “once again realized the importance of women’s solidarity.”
In South America, online forums and dance challenges were held in Cali and Medellín, Colombia; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and major universities in Mexico including UJAT and UNAM. At UJAT in particular, approximately 80 students, along with the university president and the dean of humanities, participated in the event.
Cooperation Expands Across Australia, India, and Europe: “Peace Is the Power of Connection”
In Oceania, a roundtable forum under the theme “From Women’s Education to Community Practice” was successfully held in Melbourne, Australia, with support from the city government and the Australian Multicultural Women’s Association. A peace walk was also held near the Sydney Opera House. Participants expressed their intention to continue cooperation with IWPG and emphasized the importance of women’s solidarity.
In Chennai, India, an international webinar under the theme “Women, Architects of Peace and Development” was held alongside an offline gathering at Marina Beach, with participation from women’s organizations and officials from the Ministry of Culture. In Yangon and Mandalay, Myanmar, conferences brought together women of different religions and professions. Peace events reflecting local contexts were also held in Kuwait, Ramallah in Palestine, and at a police station in Adana, Türkiye.
In Europe, a bell-ringing ceremony and writing and art exhibitions were held at Friedrichshain Citizens’ Park in Germany. In Prague, Czech Republic, a two-day program including nonviolent communication workshops and documentary screenings took place alongside the Tibet Open House Festival. In Vienna, Austria, a public outreach booth opened, and some participants proposed possible cooperation with women’s education programs.
In the Republic of Korea, which recorded the largest number of participating cities, citizen-participation events were actively held in major cities nationwide including Seoul, Gwangju, Busan, Daegu, Wonju, Chungju, Chuncheon, Gangneung, Donghae, and Jeonju. Peace forums, walking campaigns, dance challenges, and public outreach activities were simultaneously carried out in locations including Dobong-gu in Seoul, Jeonil Building 245 in Gwangju, Gyeongnam Province, and Daegu.
“Peace Begins with Women’s Participation” … Expanding Global Consensus
Throughout the events, a consistent message emphasized women not as passive beneficiaries of peace, but as active agents of peacebuilding. According to IWPG, violence against women and children in conflict regions around the world has reached its highest level in history, while women’s official participation in ceasefire negotiations and peacekeeping processes still remains around 10 percent. Even 25 years after the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 emphasizing women’s roles in peace and security, this figure has shown little improvement.
Messages of peace also spread rapidly online. The April 26 commemorative dance challenge and the “I am the Peace” campaign conveyed the core value that women themselves are the heroes of peace in everyday life. At UJAT in Mexico, 100 students participated in a group dance challenge to promote peace values among youth, while peace activists from four cities in the Philippines and schools including Amchaghar School in India also joined the campaign. The online hashtag challenge #WeNeedPeace was shared more than 200 times and recorded approximately 17,000 views.
IWPG evaluated the events as having contributed to expanding its global network of supporters, increasing the reach of social media campaigns, and attracting new members. IWPG President Jeon Na-yeong stated, “When small actions by individuals come together, they can become a current of peace that moves the entire international community Sustainable peace becomes possible when women are connected as agents of peace.”
About IWPG
The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) is an international women’s NGO with 115 branches in 123 countries, and 900 partner organizations in 68 countries, also registered with UN ECOSOC and UN DGC. IWPG works with women around the world to promote peace education, women’s solidarity, and sustainable peace initiatives.
