On 11 March 2026, UNU and Guardian Girls International (GGI), in partnership with the Koyamada International Foundation Japan and Guardian Girls Japan, and with support from rYojbaba, will co-host a panel discussion on “Women, Peace and Security in South-East Asia: From Global Commitments to Local Action”. This panel will be held as part of the Tokyo Women Citizen Dialogue series. The event will start at 17:00 in the 2F Reception Hall at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.
Women play a critical role in peace and security. Evidence shows that peace agreements are more likely to be enduring and successful when women are meaningfully involved. Despite this, women continue to be underrepresented in formal peace processes and decision-making. At the same time, global conflicts and military spending are on the rise worldwide, disproportionately impacting women and girls by heightening their risks of displacement, economic insecurity and gender-based violence. In South-East Asia, regional leadership has committed to advancing this priority agenda through the Joint Statement on Promoting Women, Peace and Security. Yet, ensuring that global and regional commitments translate to sustained community-level action remains an ongoing challenge.
UNU Senior Vice-Rector Prof. Aya Suzuki will be joined by Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir (Ambassador of Indonesia to Japan), Mylene de Joya Garcia-Albano (Ambassador of the Philippines to Japan), Maria Terezinha da Silva Viegas (Ambassador-Designate of Timor-Leste to Japan) and Ito Kazuko (Vice President of Human Rights Now) for a discussion on women, peace and security in South-East Asia. What progress has South-East Asia made in addressing peace and security for women? How can countries collaborate across the region to develop and implement new policies?
Please note that this event will be in English. Advance registration (by 10 March at 15:00) is required. Please click on the REGISTER button above to access the online registration page.
Please be prepared to present identification at check-in.
Participants
Opening Remarks
- Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of UNU and Under-Secretary-General of United Nations (TBC)
- Shin Koyamada, Secretary General of Guardian Girls International
Moderator
- Aya Suzuki, Senior Vice-Rector of UNU and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations
Panellists
- Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir, Ambassador of Indonesia to Japan
- Mylene de Joya Garcia-Albano, Ambassador of the Philippines to Japan
- Maria Terezinha da Silva Viegas, Ambassador-Designate of Timor-Leste to Japan (TBC)
- Ito Kazuko, Vice President of Human Rights Now (TBC)
