In a historic gathering at Sarajevo’s City Hall, more than 100 participants from over 20 countries came together for the international conference titled “From Gender Justice to Sustainable Peace: A Vision for the Next 25 Years.” The two-day event marked pivotal anniversaries—30 years since the Beijing Declaration and 25 years since United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which formally recognized the essential role of women in peace and security processes.
A Global Call to Action for Women, Peace and Security
The conference served as a strategic milestone for reviewing the progress and shortcomings of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, emphasizing that this framework is not merely symbolic—it is a security imperative essential to building sustainable peace. The discussions highlighted the urgent need to institutionalize women’s leadership, champion survivor-centered justice, and close the gender gap in peace processes.
By hosting the conference in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country that endured one of the bloodiest conflicts in Europe in the 1990s, the organizers underlined the relevance of context. Bosnia was also the first country in Southeast Europe to adopt a National Action Plan for Resolution 1325, setting a precedent for the region.
Leadership Voices from the Frontlines
Sevlid Hurtić, Minister for Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, opened the conference by affirming the country’s long-standing commitment to peacebuilding and gender equality.
“A key lesson from our experience is that without gender equality and women’s participation, there can be no sustainable peace,” Hurtić said.
Pramila Patten, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, raised concern about the persistence of impunity for conflict-related sexual violence.
“While states bear the legal responsibility to end impunity… very few perpetrators are brought to justice—so impunity remains the norm and accountability the rare exception.”
Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, UN Women Deputy Executive Director, reflected on the deep historical significance of the conference’s location.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina’s experience in survivor-centered justice and community-driven reconciliation offers invaluable lessons for the world.”
Awa Dabo, Deputy Head of the UN Peacebuilding Support Office, emphasized the necessity of transforming how peace is understood and constructed:
“We are reminded that the WPS agenda is not about inclusion for its own sake—it’s about transforming how peace is built and sustained.”
The Sarajevo Pledge: A Commitment to Immediate Action
A central outcome of the conference was the adoption of the Sarajevo Pledge, a forward-looking document laying out concrete action points for the next 25 years. The pledge boldly states:
“We will not wait another 25 years. We will act now to ensure that women’s leadership, gender-responsive justice, protection, and recovery remain at the heart of every peace effort—in every country, for every generation.”
The pledge was signed by participants from diverse backgrounds—government representatives, activists, peacebuilders, and international partners—signaling a collective readiness to drive tangible change.
Survivors Speak: Beyond Justice, Toward Recognition
Six thematic panels and workshops were held during the conference, featuring testimonies from survivors of sexual violence in conflict zones such as Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukraine. The sessions made it clear: justice must extend beyond courtroom victories. Survivors need recognition, reparations, psychosocial support, and long-term societal acknowledgment.
This survivor-centered lens is a critical part of shaping just and inclusive peacebuilding mechanisms, and it echoed throughout the sessions.
Cultural Diplomacy in Action: “Women Lead. Peace Follows.”
Running parallel to the conference, a seven-day cultural and educational programme, titled “Women Lead. Peace Follows.”, opened on 12 June at the European House of Culture and National Minorities in Sarajevo. Using art, storytelling, and public dialogue, the programme amplifies women’s voices in the WPS context.
A highlight of this programme is the “SPEAKING OUT” exhibition by the War Childhood Museum, which honors the experiences of survivors of sexual violence and children born of war. The exhibition remains open to the public through 18 June.
Building Partnerships for the Future
One of the key messages from the event was the importance of multi-level partnerships. The conference highlighted the need for collaboration between UN agencies, national governments, civil society, and regional institutions to advance the WPS agenda more effectively.
The event was part of the five-year initiative “Women Lead the Way to Peace and Security in BiH”, supported by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and implemented jointly by UN Women, UNFPA, and IOM. It also received vital backing from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark.
A Global Vision Rooted in Local Leadership
Sarajevo, a city that once symbolized the devastation of war, is now emerging as a beacon of feminist peacebuilding. For two days, it became a hub of inspiration, strategy, and commitment—proving that sustainable peace is only possible when women’s voices are not only heard but lead the conversation.
The global community now carries forward the message from Sarajevo: the future of peace depends on gender justice today.
