Linnes Chamadenga, a Global Peace Women Sunshine Family Volunteer, organizes an innovative program to bring families closer in Malawi.
As we continue our International Women’s Day 2026 blog series under this year’s theme of “Give to Gain,” we shift our focus to the ongoing initiatives for advancing women’s leadership and peacebuilding through GPF’s Women and Families in Peacebuilding activities and the work of Global Peace Women (GPW) across the world.
In the first blog, we highlighted the incredible Dr. Junsook Moon, co-founder of Global Peace Foundation (GPF) and Chairwoman of Global Peace Women (GPW), and her leadership and commitment to peacebuilding and humanitarian service.
The Women and Families in Peacebuilding initiatives recognize the crucial role of women and families and are guided by a framework rooted in grassroots peacebuilding, family strengthening, and social harmony. Sustainable peace begins at the most basic unit of society, the family, where a person learns values such as kindness, empathy, responsibility, and respect, among many others. In families, women play important roles as nurturers, educators, and community leaders, translating values into action. GPF and GPW recognize this important role of women and families and advance a more holistic approach to peacebuilding, starting from the grassroots to communities, nations, and the world.
Linnes Chamadenga, a Global Peace Women Sunshine Family Volunteer, organizes an innovative program to bring families closer in Malawi.
Initiatives such as the Family Stories Campaign and the Sunshine Family Volunteers have encouraged women and families to strengthen familial relationships and build a culture of service and volunteerism, starting in families. These initiatives saw families around the world participating and bringing positive change, serving as a foundation for peace.
With GPF, GPW plays a central role in expanding these peacebuilding efforts through its global network of chapters and women leaders. GPW has invested in women’s leadership through the GPW Dream Grant, empowering women to bring their ideas to life and funding projects that address real challenges in their communities. In addition, GPW provides leadership training, mentorship opportunities, and community initiatives to translate women’s leadership into action. It truly resonates with this year’s IWD theme of “Give to Gain,” as GPW has provided funding, platforms, and networking opportunities for women worldwide.
The other key initiative is the Global Peace Women Leadership Academy (GPWLA), which provides women with training and mentoring in leadership and peacebuilding. Participants of the GPWLA receive hands-on training in communication, project ideation and development, leadership, and public speaking, equipping them to implement initiatives in their communities. Graduates of GPWLA have implemented projects related to gender-based violence prevention, girls’ education, community development, sanitation and hygiene, and leadership development. These graduates have demonstrated that empowered women, when given the opportunity, can deliver visible change starting from the grassroots level.
GPWLA delegates with Dr. Soonok Kang
If we look more closely at regions and countries, the impact is much more visible. In Nigeria, women from different religious communities have participated in interfaith forums and peace initiatives promoting cooperation and bridging social divides. In Nepal, women are empowered with income-generating skills, value education, and various capacity-building programs. Similarly, the Uruguay chapter recognizes women leaders through awards and appreciation for their community service, leadership, and for embodying the principle of Living for the Greater Good. Likewise, the Paraguay chapter has promoted women’s empowerment through women’s health and well-being and family stability initiatives. In Malawi, community initiatives have restored family bonds and strengthened community unity, reinforcing the belief that strong families are the foundation for peaceful societies.
These initiatives reflect a broader philosophy guiding the work of GPF and GPW: women play a vital role in peacebuilding. When given opportunities and space to grow, they can address complex social challenges and nurture cultures of peace. This reflects a simple yet powerful belief: when women are empowered to lead, families flourish, and communities become more cohesive and resilient. The work of GPW and the broader GPF network reminds us that empowering women is not only a matter of equality but also a powerful pathway to peace. When women lead in families, communities, and institutions, they help shape societies grounded in compassion, responsibility, and service to others.
IYLA GPWLA
Despite the potential that women carry, they face significant barriers ranging from limited access to education, economic opportunities, and leadership roles to social stigma and financial dependency. Addressing these challenges requires sustained commitment from institutions, communities, and individuals alike. The spirit of this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” speaks directly to this responsibility. When societies provide women with the resources, opportunities, and recognition they deserve, the benefits extend to entire communities and future generations. GPF is committed to this responsibility.
For GPF, advancing women’s leadership will remain a central priority and will continue expanding leadership development programs, supporting women-led community initiatives, and strengthening global networks that connect women working for peace across cultures and regions. By creating platforms where women’s voices are heard and their leadership recognized, GPF seeks to cultivate a new generation of leaders committed to building stronger families, resilient communities, and peaceful societies.
In the spirit of “Give to Gain,” GPF invites individuals, organizations, and communities to join in supporting women’s leadership and strengthening families as the foundation for peace. By investing in women and recognizing their indispensable contributions, we move closer to building a world where peace begins in the home and expands outward to transform communities and nations.
