Only recently have secular international peacebuilding and mediation support structures discorvered the potential of women’s oftentimes traditional roles in dialogue processes. Thus, tailor-made support for female faith-based mediators has been limited to far. The online discussion on Thursday, 18 October provides space to explore the potential for innovation through tradition.

Peacebuilding and mediation resources targeting women mediators are mostly developed under a secular paradigm that tends to not recognise the contribution of religion in mediation processes. Resources targeting faith-based mediators, in contrast, are often tailored to reach men due to the fact that donors favour supporting actors in institutionalised, often male dominated settings.

Nevertheless, women faith-based mediators play an important role in conflict transformation, mediation and dialogue processes around the world. The structural domination of men in religion is one challenge female faith-based mediators face while they try to establish themselves in critical positions during mediation processes. But they are also presented with opportunities based on them being faith-based and women.

At the event, the potential, challenges and opportunities of women faith-based mediators will be discussed with female faith-based mediators.

For more information and registration please visit the Website of Berghof Foundation.