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Putting women, peace and security into action

UNDP and France investing in women’s leadership in building peace and resilience

August 26^th, 2025

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Anna Shcherbakova, the director of Ukraine’s centralized library system, transformed the country’s libraries into a resource hub to support women and children affected by war. “I want to support my community because I see the transformative impact of integrated efforts. Each of us has the power to contribute to the growth and resilience of the community,” she said.

Like Anna, women in Burundi, Chad, Moldova, Mongolia and the State of Palestine are at the frontlines of crisis response and recovery—uniting, advocating and changing lives.

UNDP’s Global Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Initiative—in partnership with the Government of France—is investing in women’s economic empowerment and leadership in peacebuilding and crisis recovery. We'd like to introduce you to six women who are breaking the barriers of gender stereotypes and building resilience for whole communities.

Ukraine: Bringing hope in war-torn communities

Community members attend a cultural workshop in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. Photo: UNDP in Ukraine/Danylo Pavlov

More than three years into the war, many women in Ukraine struggle to remain hopeful. They have been uprooted from their communities and lost their livelihoods, while bearing the weight of increased care work and deteriorating mental health.

Despite facing adversity, women are leading recovery efforts and becoming a beacon of hope.

Anna Shcherbakova is Director of Libraries in the Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine. Photo: UNDP in Ukraine/Danylo Pavlov

Anna Shcherbakova speaks with a community member in the Chernihiv Oblast, Urakine. Photo: UNDP in Ukraine/Danylo Pavlov

UNDP brought together 90 women, including young women from three oblasts along both frontlines and neighbouring areas, to form Community Security and Recovery Working Groups that plan initiatives to address women’s pressing needs, challenges and priorities.

These recovery initiatives, led by participants trained in project management, are providing psychosocial and livelihood support to women, bringing back hope.

Emphasizing the importance of investing in women in conflict settings, Mr. Sébastien Surun, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of France in Ukraine, noted:

“Gender equality is a priority for France. We support broader access for women to resources, expertise, opportunities and leadership—not only in France, but globally. In areas such as security, business, technology, women face greater barriers, and we are working to change that. In Ukraine, the full-scale invasion pushed many talented women to step forward and take up new roles. It matters a lot that we keep this dynamic to build Ukraine’s future in peace.”

Sébastien Surun, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of France in Ukraine, speaks during a women's leadership forum. Photo: UNDP Ukraine/Mykhailo Melnychenko

Burundi: Promoting green business, combating gender-based violence

In the border regions of Burundi, affected by climate change and violent conflict, UNDP and France partnered with local women-led organizations that are supporting women’s access to financial services, promoting women’s green businesses and combating gender-based violence (GBV).

Putting women, peace and security into action

By promoting cross-border trade under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, reducing barriers to women’s economic participation and improving GBV support services for women traders, the WPS Initiative is advancing gender equality, sustainable development and durable peace.

Chad: Taking their place in politics

Communities in Mandelia, in the southwest region of Chad, face many challenges, from environmental degradation, recurrent flooding and food insecurity to displacement and distrust among community members along with deeply entrenched gender inequality, resulting in limited opportunities for women.

Florentin Bruandet, Humanitarian Cooperation, Health and Civil Society Attaché from the Embassy of France, visits a project site in Mandelia. Photo: UNDP Chad

Through the WPS Initiative, UNDP supported women with literacy classes and agricultural business development—geared not only to improve resilience to climate shocks but also to use clean energy to mitigate further effects of climate change.

When officials from the Embassy of France visited their farms, the women expressed their strong desire to be included in local decision-making processes.

Women leaders and agribusiness owners in Mandelia exchange knowledge on climate-resilient agriculture techniques and business development. Photo: UNDP Chad

In response, the project integrated training in leadership, political participation and advocacy for women’s rights. Women from diverse backgrounds in Mandelia now feel ready to run for office and advocate for their community, which has brought a sense of solidarity and social cohesion.

Moldova: Cornerstones for peace

Bakery owner Elena Andreev is one of many women who have benefited from the WPS Initiative in Moldova. The project supports women business owners from both sides of the Nistru River, where there is a history of conflict. Photo: UNDP Moldova

In Moldova, the WPS Initiative is supporting women business owners from both banks of the Nistru River, where a violent conflict broke out in 1992 and heightened political tensions persist.

With a better understanding of EU rules and regulations around trade, women entrepreneurs from both banks of the Nistru River are working together and becoming more closely linked with the rest of Europe; in turn, they are improving their living conditions and fostering trust across the political divide.

This is paired with a cross-river leadership forum to engage women leaders in decision-making on economic and security issues—integrating women’s voices in post-conflict economic planning and inclusive peacebuilding.

Mongolia: Clean energy trailblazers

Ger communities on the outskirts of Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar. Photo: UNDP Mongolia

In Mongolia’s urban ger areas, where women traditionally are responsible for keeping homes warm—especially through very cold winters—the use of coal for heating is leading to deadly indoor and outdoor air pollution, a threat to health and the environment.

To respond to this challenge, the WPS Initiative helped women in these ger communities become leaders who drive the transition to clean energy.

Women completed training in installing and maintaining solar panels and gained knowledge on climate risks and energy policies.

French Ambassador H.E. Corinne Pereira Da Silva speaks with Ms. Tumentsetseg, a project participant. Photo: UNDP Mongolia

“The renewable energy system has made my daily life easier," programme participant Ms. Tumentsetseg shared with the French Ambassador H.E. Corinne Pereira Da Silva. "It keeps the house clean and free of dust. It’s given me peace of mind since I don’t have to worry about the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. I can have more restful sleep now.”

Gantuya Nyamdovdon, a secretary at the Institute of Engineering and Technology and a single mother, participates in a policy roundtable. Photo: UNDP Mongolia

The women now participate in local decision-making around clean energy and climate resilience, helping to mitigate coal use and emissions while challenging gender stereotypes in male-dominated fields.

State of Palestine: Shaping the crisis response in Gaza

With expertise in first aid, psychosocial support and legal aid, women-led civil society organizations are providing life-saving help in Gaza. Photo: UNDP PAPP

Women-led civil society organizations in Gaza are delivering life-saving help for women caught in war. With skills in first aid, psychosocial support and legal aid, they are key to protecting women’s rights and accelerating recovery for those most affected.

UNDP is supporting the foundation for recovery with women at the centre. By establishing inclusive mediation and alternative dispute-resolution mechanisms through community committees, women can raise their recovery priorities, influencing decisions that shape the future of their communities.

UNDP is proud to champion these and countless other women around the world who are doing critical work to ensure peace in their communities today and in the future. The Global Women, Peace and Security Initiative is made possible by the generous support of the Government of France through UNDP’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Funding Window.