How can peace remain inclusive when the resources to build it are shrinking? This Think & Drink explores how feminist approaches to peacebuilding are being redefined in a moment of global uncertainty, and what it means to sustain inclusive spaces when funding cuts and political pressures challenge progress on gender equality.

A feminist approach to peacebuilding goes beyond simply ensuring women's participation. It aims to transform power structures and address the root causes of inequality. Even as gender equality is widely recognised as essential to lasting peace, many programmes supporting women, particularly in conflict zone, are now facing severe financial constraints. How are organisations adapting to keep women's voices and needs central in peace and security processes while sustaining the programmes that protect and empower them?

We’ll be joined by two speakers :

– Dr. Bettina Boekle : a social development expert with over 18 years of experience in private sector investments, gender-lens transactions and peacebuilding. Some of her professionals roles include her as Head of Partnerships for Interpeace’s Finance for Peace initiative, as well as being the gender-lens focal point for the fragile conflict settings (FCS) team of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), member of the World Bank group. Bettina is an innovator bridging the worlds of finance and peacebuilding to promote conflict-sensitive, inclusive, and gender-responsive strategies in fragile contexts.

– Sina Fischer : Project Officer for Gender and Inclusive Peace Processes at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) and contributes to the work of the International Gender Champions (IGC) network. She focuses on translating global frameworks on women, peace, and security into practice, promoting inclusive and locally driven approaches to peacebuilding.

Together, we’ll discuss:

– How women's perspectives and lived experiences can transform traditional peacebuilding processes and make it more inclusive and sustainable?

– How shrinking budgets and shifting priorities are reshaping gender-focused initiative in the peace and security field, and what can be done to sustain them?

Join us for an evening of exchange, ideas, and conversation, and, as always : the first drink is on us