Empowering Communities: Women's Role in Peacebuilding Through Learning

Globally, women play diverse and agentic roles in advocating for peace, social justice, and community well-being, addressing issues such as violence, poverty, food insecurity, and health inequities. Their engagement is often motivated by lived experience or a perceived need to create positive change. While women have a long-standing tradition of integrating learning with leadership in community development, scholarship in adult education has rarely focused explicitly on women’s peacebuilding efforts. This study examines women as both learners and leaders in peacebuilding, highlighting the ways in which learning occurs for and through their peace-oriented practices. By exploring women’s experiences, motivations, and strategies in grassroots peace efforts, the research identifies key insights for designing and implementing peace education programs that are responsive, contextually relevant, and effective in supporting women’s learning. Understanding these learning processes not only contributes to theoretical frameworks in adult education and peace studies but also informs practical approaches to enhancing women’s capacity to foster sustainable peace in their communities.