Inclusivity in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding:

Conflicts and crises continue to shape the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), yet the spaces where these issues are discussed, analyzed, mediated, and resolved do not always reflect the full range of expertise available. Women specialists in peace and conflict resolution contribute critical analysis and policy solutions, but structural barriers can limit their visibility and presence in public platforms and decision-making spaces across the region.

To highlight the importance of inclusive peacebuilding in the MENA region, The Middle East Council on Global Affairs (ME Council), in collaboration with the “Women Voices” initiative in Türkiye—which works to amplify women’s visibility in the media and public sphere—brought together leading women experts and practitioners to share their multidisciplinary experiences in conflict resolution, mediation, and peacebuilding.

The two-day workshop aimed to foster a regional network of women actively harnessing regional solutions to address the Middle East’s complex challenges. Participants explored how women’s expertise can be recognized, integrated, and leveraged to develop comprehensive, nuanced, and durable solutions across the region.

By identifying the barriers that prevent women’s voices from being heard and their presence from being fully realized, the workshop aimed to foster a more inclusive dialogue on conflict resolution—one that not only unpacks the structural challenges to women’s leadership but also develops concrete strategies to enhance their visibility and influence in regional diplomacy.

Participants included leading women experts in diplomacy, academia, policy research, and media. The workshop will also benefit from the insights of distinguished local leaders from Qatar and the wider Gulf. The workshop’s sessions included a range of diverse formats.