'In Their Hands: Women Taking Ownership of Peace'

Opening in San Francisco, 2 December 2022 - for the first time on the West Coast, the 'In Their Hands: Women Taking Ownership of Peace' exhibition highlights the work of women peace activists as seen through the eyes of local women photographers. The United Nations Department of Peace Operations, the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and UN Women, in partnership with local host the United Nations Association USA, San Francisco Chapter, will be hosting this premier event at the San Francisco Veterans War Memorial during the month of December.

This powerful exhibit profiles 14 women from around the world who have mediated with armed groups, participated in peace talks, advanced political solutions, and advocated for women’s rights and participation. Their stories come from the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, South Sudan, Sudan, Lebanon, Yemen, and Colombia.

"Today, let’s be clear, women’s leadership is a cause - we must make it a norm. That is how we will transform international peace and security,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated. “Our partnerships with women leaders and their networks have proven critical to build trust and help prevent and resolve conflicts,” the Secretary-General stressed.

Despite progress since the historic vote of UN Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security in 2000, women are frequently excluded from formal peace processes and decision-making. Their diverse experiences, knowledge, and expertise often go unrecognized and underutilized. Data through 2019 show that globally, women constituted only 13 percent of negotiators, six percent of mediators, and six percent of signatories.

The ‘In Their Hands: Women Taking Ownership of Peace’ exhibition is supported by the Permanent Missions of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Kenya, and Norway to the United Nations, in partnership with the United Nations Association USA, San Francisco Chapter, and the UN Foundation. Before reaching San Francisco, the exhibit traveled to more than ten locations throughout Africa, South Korea, the World Expo in Dubai, and the US Congress.

The exhibition will be open to the public starting December 2nd and running through the end of the month at the San Francisco Veteran's War Memorial, 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA.

Host or Publisher United Nations Association (UNA) San Francisco