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Limassol

The Soft Power of Mothers

How women can pave the way for peace in international conflicts
IED Event in Limassol, Cyprus, January 25, 2025

25.01.2025


On January 25, in Limassol, Cyprus, the Institute of European Democrats, in collaboration with the Citizens’ Platform represented by Marina Demetriou and Irene Mandole, hosted a powerful roundtable discussion on the role of mothers and women in peacebuilding. Against the backdrop of growing global conflicts, participants from diverse backgrounds came together to share testimonies of resilience, loss, and determination, demonstrating how women have historically played and continue to play a crucial role in fostering peace.


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The Soft Power of Mothers

The shared stories: a look into tragic conflicts

The event opened with moving testimonies from women who had directly experienced the consequences of war. Hauwa Ibrahim, first female lawyer from north Nigeria, laureate of the 2005 Sakharov Prize and President of the Peace Institute, shared her incredible journey of using a mother’s influence to negotiate the release of young girls kidnapped by Boko Haram. She recounted how, by bringing a captive’s mother to face her son, she unlocked a flow of crucial information, saving lives. Ibrahim emphasized the necessity of including women, minorities and diverse cultural representatives in peace negotiations—an aspect too often overlooked. 

Sonja Lokar, a former Slovenian parliamentarian and gender expert, reflected on the efforts of women before and after the Yugoslav Wars. She recalled the tireless attempts by women’s movements for peace to prevent the war—efforts that were dismissed at the time. However, she noted that in the post-war years, these same women became key actors in the reconciliation process, proving that perseverance in peace efforts is never in vain. 

Reem Hajajreh, director of Women of the Sun, delivered a particularly emotional testimony about life in Palestine. She spoke of the silenced suffering of women—individuals who do not decide to wage war but bear its heaviest burden. Her organization, along with Nirit Sternberg’s Women Wage Peace in Israel, drafted “Mother’s Call,” a joint plea for a just peace, proving that even across conflict lines, women can unite for a common goal. The call is available here.

The lessons: the effect of empowerment and action

Christine Eggs, director of FXB International, brought decades of experience in economic empowerment. She illustrated how giving women access to education and financial independence not only transforms their lives but uplifts entire communities. Ignoring women as economic agents, she stressed, is one of the greatest strategic mistakes societies can make. 

Dr. Christina Kaili reinforced the connection between education and peace, advocating for the importance of empathy and love in politics. These concepts, often dismissed in geopolitical discussions, she argued, could be the key to bridging gaps between conflicting communities. 

Alice Bernard-Montini, president of Young Democrats for Europe, highlighted the importance of preserving these stories for future generations. She noted a strong sense of urgency in the room—not just to share experiences but to turn pain into action: from being tagged as "victims" to becoming key witnesses of History. The event, she emphasized, was not merely a conversation but a call for change, especially among young leaders: both men and women. 

The local perspective: diving into Cyprus’ recent past

The discussion turned deeply personal as Charita Mandoles, a Greek Cypriot, shared the tragic story of protecting her daughter while losing the men in her family during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. The presence of her daughter, now a mother herself, made the generational impact of war even more poignant. 

Representing the Turkish Cypriot perspective, Nur Köprülü spoke about the younger generation’s fight to move forward while acknowledging the trauma of the past. Living in a divided country still under occupation, she emphasized the need for peace efforts that do not erase history but build upon it for a better future. 

A Call to Action

As the session concluded, one message stood clear: mothers, as bearers of pain and resilience, are a powerful force in peacebuilding. Their voices must be heard, their experiences valued, and their roles expanded beyond the home into decision-making spaces. War may not have a woman’s face, but peace, as these women demonstrated, certainly does. 

For those eager to delve deeper into the discussions, a comprehensive report will be authored by Edouard Gaudot, providing further insight into the profound conversations that took place during the roundtable. 

We thank Citizen's Platform for their welcome and help, Elena Giacomin for her organization and support, Valeria Kozakos for provinding Greek translation and Women of the Sun for providing arabic translation.


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