Regional Exchange: Enhancing Women’s Role in Peacebuilding in Syria & Iraq–WPSA Lessons in MENA | EFI - EuroMed Feminist Initiative

2025-10-10

Regional Exchange: Enhancing Women’s Role in Peacebuilding in Syria & Iraq–WPSA Lessons in MENA Regional exchange event: “Enhancing women’s participation in peacebuilding in Syria and Iraq: Lessons learned from implementing the WPSA in the MENA region” The regional meeting “Enhancing Women’s Participation in Peacebuilding in Syria & Iraq: Lessons learned from Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPSA) in the MENA Region,” was held on October 8-10, 2025, in Amman, Jordan. The event brought together women’s rights activists, civil society leaders, and legal experts from Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. The event was organised within the framework of the regional project “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Decision-Making and Peacebuilding in Syria and Iraq”, implemented by EuroMed Feminist Initiative (EFI) in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and funded through BMZ. Building on a series of online consultations and on the foundation laid during the Consultations on Advancing the WPSA in Syria, held between the 3rd and the 5th June in Beirut, Lebanon, this event focused on exchange experiences and lessons learned in advancing women’s participation in peacebuilding and political processes. This three-day regional event served as a key platform to advance the WPSA in the MENA region, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and collective reflection among women leaders, experts, and civil society representatives. Through a series of presentations, working groups and panel discussions, the event explored both the persistent challenges and emerging opportunities for women’s participation in peacebuilding and governance. This event takes place in the framework of the regional project "Strengthening of women's participation in decision-making and peacebuilding in Syria and Iraq" implemented by EuroMed Feminist Initiative in partnership with GIZ and BMZ."
Second Training of Trainers: Navigating Dialogues in Divided Societies | EFI - EuroMed Feminist Initiative

2025-10-03

Second Training of Trainers: Navigating Dialogues in Divided Societies EuroMed Feminist Initiative (EFI) and partner organization, Duderi, are implementing the project “Building a Shared Vision of Citizenship: Promoting Diversity and Social Inclusion in Syria’s Transition Project”. This project seeks to support the emergence of Syria’s peaceful and legitimate political transition by promoting the development of a citizenship charter rooted in justice, gender equality, human rights and social inclusion. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of Syrian civil society actors to lead structured inclusive, locally led social dialogues and ensure that the outcomes of these community-based dialogues are connected to broader political processes and policy discussions. The project involves a three-phase capacity building program for dialogue facilitation and policy engagement. The second training on “Navigating Dialogue in Divided Societies”, held in Rome from 1 to 3 October 2025, built on the foundations established during the introductory training. It marked a key step in strengthening the participants’ analytical capacities for dialogue in politically sensitive contexts and their ability to design dialogue processes that are both inclusive and results oriented. The training focused on equipping participants with basic techniques to translate complex discussions into actionable insights. It aimed to deepen participants’ capacity to handle complex dialogue processes, with a focus on consensus-building tools, epistemic framing, and structured knowledge management. The project “Building a Shared Vision of Citizenship: Promoting Diversity and Social Inclusion in Syria’s Transition Project” is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, the European Union, and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
Launching the 2024 Regional Index on Violence against Women and Girls | EFI - EuroMed Feminist Initiative

2025-09-23

Launching the 2024 Regional Index on Violence against Women and Girls The Regional Observatory on Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) hosted by EuroMed Feminist Initiative in Amman, has developed the Regional Index on VAWG, which includes a set of indicators under seven categories to follow up and support the implementation of policies and measures to combat VAWG in Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA). The 2021 Regional Index included seven countries - Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia, who scored and presented the results at a high-level conference held in Amman. The 2024 Regional Index was widened to nine countries, including Iraq and Syria. It was reviewed at the Regional Expert Roundtable in November 2024, in Baghdad, in light of the new developments and forms of VAWG. It was scored by all countries, and the Regional Observatory combined the results. The launching of the 2024 Regional Index on VAWG is organized in partnership with the Department of Women´s Affairs in the Presidency of Republic of Iraq, EuroMed Feminist Initiative and the Regional Observatory on VAWG. It takes place as part of the project “Combating VAWG in Iraq – Enhancing Cross Sector Cooperation”, as a part of the “Strengthening Participation, Peaceful Coexistence, and Equality in Iraq (SPACE”) programme, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
First Training of Trainers: Foundations of Inclusive Dialogue Facilitation | EFI - EuroMed Feminist Initiative

2025-09-04

First Training of Trainers: Foundations of Inclusive Dialogue Facilitation EuroMed Feminist Initiative (EFI) and partner organization, Duderi, are implementing the project “Building a Shared Vision of Citizenship: Promoting Diversity and Social Inclusion in Syria’s Transition Project”. This project seeks to support the emergence of Syria’s peaceful and legitimate political transition by promoting the development of a citizenship charter rooted in justice, gender equality, human rights and social inclusion. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of Syrian civil society actors to lead structured inclusive, locally led social dialogues and ensure that the outcomes of these community-based dialogues are connected to broader political processes and policy discussions. The project involves a three-phase capacity building program for dialogue facilitation and policy engagement. The objective is to strengthen the facilitation and policy engagement capacities of Syrian experts, members of Duderi’s Expert Body, so they can support inclusive community dialogues and contribute strategically to national discussions with ministries and transitional authorities. Held in Athens from 2 to 4 September 2025, the first stage, dedicated to “Foundations of Inclusive Dialogue Facilitation”, marked a key step in building the participants’ capacity to facilitate and moderate community dialogues in Syria. It focused on developing practical skills for guiding dialogue in community settings, such as active listening, managing group dynamics, and inclusive communication. Participants were equipped with both thematic knowledge and facilitation skills to foster inclusive, participatory, and locally anchored dialogue processes. The project “Building a Shared Vision of Citizenship: Promoting Diversity and Social Inclusion in Syria’s Transition Project” is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, the European Union, and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
First Regional Forum Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPSA) | EFI - EuroMed Feminist Initiative

2025-05-07

First Regional Forum Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPSA) First Regional Forum “Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPSA)” under the patronage of H.E. Wafaa Bani Mostafa, Jordan’s Minister of Social Development and Head of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment EuroMed Feminist Initiative (EFI), under the patronage of H.E. Ms. Wafaa Bani Mostafa, Jordan’s Minister of Social Development and the Head of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment, held the first Regional Forum, “Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPSA),” on 6-7 May 2025 in Amman, Jordan. The event was organised within the framework of the regional project “Strengthening Feminist CSOs for the Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine,” funded by the Support Fund for Feminist Organisations of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The project is implemented in partnership with EFI member organisations in the four countries. The Forum marked a key step in advancing regional collaboration among feminist civil society organisations (CSOs) and women-led community-based organisations (CBOs). It aimed to follow up on progress made in the implementation of the WPSA, identify existing gaps and barriers, and address both country-specific and shared regional challenges, particularly regarding the role and engagement of women-led CSOs in the implementation and monitoring processes. The 2024 Regional Index on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and the Regional Guidelines on the implementation of the WPSA served as tools to assess achievements and inform recommendations for concrete actions.
First Regional Forum Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPSA) | EFI - EuroMed Feminist Initiative

2025-05-06

First Regional Forum Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPSA) First Regional Forum “Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPSA)” under the patronage of H.E. Wafaa Bani Mostafa, Jordan’s Minister of Social Development and Head of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment EuroMed Feminist Initiative (EFI), under the patronage of H.E. Ms. Wafaa Bani Mostafa, Jordan’s Minister of Social Development and the Head of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment, held the first Regional Forum, “Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPSA),” on 6-7 May 2025 in Amman, Jordan. The event was organised within the framework of the regional project “Strengthening Feminist CSOs for the Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine,” funded by the Support Fund for Feminist Organisations of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The project is implemented in partnership with EFI member organisations in the four countries. The Forum marked a key step in advancing regional collaboration among feminist civil society organisations (CSOs) and women-led community-based organisations (CBOs). It aimed to follow up on progress made in the implementation of the WPSA, identify existing gaps and barriers, and address both country-specific and shared regional challenges, particularly regarding the role and engagement of women-led CSOs in the implementation and monitoring processes. The 2024 Regional Index on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and the Regional Guidelines on the implementation of the WPSA served as tools to assess achievements and inform recommendations for concrete actions.
Local dialogue in Zarqa, Jordan on ending violence against women and girls | EFI - EuroMed Feminist Initiative

2025-04-21

Local dialogue in Zarqa, Jordan on ending violence against women and girls A local dialogue on combating violence against women and girls (VAWG) was held on Monday, 21th April 2025, in Zarqa, Jordan. It took place within the framework of the third awareness campaign “Her Life Without Violence, Her Future Without Fear” which is a part of the three years national campaign “No Silence, No Tolerance” carried out by EuroMed Feminist Initiative (EFI), Justice Centre for Legal Aid (JCLA), Children Villages SOS, Institute for Family Health (IFH), and the National Council of Family Affairs (NCFA), Information and Research Center - King Hussein Foundation (IRC-KHF), Tafila Women's Society (TWCS), Arab Women's Organization (AWO), and Family Guidance Awareness Center (FGAC) in the framework of the project "Improving Access to Comprehensive Gender-based Violence Services in Jordan” funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), with the collaboration of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The local dialogue, organised by EuroMed Feminist Initiative (EFI), aimed to create an open and inclusive space for community members and leaders, service providers, and civil society to come together and engage in meaningful discussions on preventing violence and promoting survivor-centered services across Jordan. It served as a platform for fostering proactive community efforts and raise awareness about the availability of essential services for survivors of gender-based violence as one of the means to prevent violence against women and girls.
Local dialogue in Irbid, Jordan on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls | EFI - EuroMed Feminist Initiative

2025-04-14

Local dialogue in Irbid, Jordan on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls A local dialogue on combating violence against women and girls (VAWG) was held on Monday, 14th April 2025, in Irbid, Jordan. It took place in the frame of the third awareness campaign “Her Life Without Violence, Her Future Without Fear” which is a part of the three years national campaign “No Silence, No Tolerance” carried out by EuroMed Feminist Initiative (EFI), Justice Centre for Legal Aid (JCLA), Children Villages SOS, Institute for Family Health (IFH), and the National Council of Family Affairs (NCFA), Information and Research Center - King Hussein Foundation (IRC-KHF), Tafila Women's Society (TWCS), Arab Women Organisation of Jordan (AWO), and Family Guidance Awareness Center (FGAC) in the framework of the project "Improving Access to Comprehensive Gender-based Violence Services in Jordan” funded by the European Union (EU) MADAD Trust Fund and implemented by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), with the collaboration of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The local dialogue, organised by the EuroMed Feminist Initiative (EFI), aimed to create open and inclusive space for community members and leaders, service providers, and civil society to come together and engage in meaningful discussions on preventing violence and promoting survivor-centered services across Jordan. It served as a platform to foster proactive community efforts and raise awareness about the availability of essential services for survivors of gender-based violence as one of the means to prevent violence against women and girls.