Women’s Peace Leadership Programme: Hanna Hirose (Germany/Japan), Maylinda Bajrami (Albania) and Guncha Annageldiyeva (Turkmenistan)
It is often the earliest encounters with the world's harsh realities that can have the most profound impact.
“I was shocked to see images of children my age carrying guns as child soldiers in conflict zones. I felt inequality and, at the same time, helplessness,” Hanna Hirose recounts, marking the moment a lifelong interest in peacebuilding processes seeded in her consciousness.
“I was born to a Japanese mother and a German father who travelled across the world and worked in international co-operation in the development field before they settled in the countryside of northern Japan. I grew up always being told by my parents that I am lucky.”
"My interest in peace and security especially grew when I worked as a Political Affairs Analyst at the Embassy of Japan in Spain. Currently, I am covering the work of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) at the Permanent Mission of Japan. Unfortunately, women continue to be underrepresented in nuclear disarmament, particularly in multilateral forums. I am attempting to incorporate a gender perspective into my responsibilities and duties, as well as to demonstrate gender awareness and sensitivity, for instance by participating in expert-level consultations with other member states."
Hanna’s background highlighted the contrast between her peaceful upbringing in Japan and Germany and the stark realities of conflict for millions of people across the world. Her parents fostered a sense of responsibility towards those less fortunate.
“The fact that I am not from a region that is in conflict and has never lived through a war or conflict has always given me a sense of drawback. However, when I was admitted into the Women's Peace Leadership Programme (WPLP), I felt as if I had finally been "given permission" to pursue a career in the field of peace and security,” Hanna says.
“The Programme helped me to sort through my thoughts and identify my core values. Meeting people through networks and mentorship who can connect to what you have been going through for a long time, or meeting someone who has already overcome similar challenges, broadens your horizons and introduces fresh perspectives and ideas. That is exactly what I experienced through this Programme,” she emphasizes.
From Innocence to Advocacy
"Ever since I heard from my first-grade teacher the inspiring story of Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus and initiated the political and social protest campaign against racial segregation, the sense of activism came into me," says Maylinda Bajrami.
Maylinda's unique childhood shared between the USA and Albania, shaped her perspectives on societal norms, gender equality, and the need for change. She realised early the power of standing against injustice. “Growing up partly in the USA and Albania helped me to gain a diverse experience in the field of peace-building, women's rights, and conflict resolution," explains Maylinda.
This dual perspective also came with a healthy dose of pragmatism. “Sometimes I’d ponder on the fact how late in the history of humankind women got the right to vote and can’t help but think, we still have a lot to accomplish.”
Maylinda is seeking to do her part to help women catch up on this historic imbalance through academic and professional advocacy focusing on endeavours dedicated to addressing gender disparities and contributing to peace-building efforts. Her observations of Albania inspired her to take leadership in challenging gender stereotypes in particular. “Coming to Albania, where I live nowadays, I noticed that in specific areas the patriarchy is still in place or has left quite a mark.”
"For me, the Women Peace Leadership Programme has been a game-changer, as it has created a sisterhood where we, young women, connected by a passion for peace, can share our struggles and visions for the future. The fireside chats, peer mentorship and training have all provided me not only with skills, but also instilled confidence in me. I’m eager for this initiative to grow further and look forward to being able to convey the knowledge I received back in Albania," Maylinda says.
Envisioning a New Era of Participation
Guncha Annageldiyeva from Turkmenistan is fortunate to have a nurturing support network, including family, teachers, and supervisors, that have helped her during her volunteering journey.
Her upbringing greatly influenced her perspectives on peace and security. The turning point for activism came in 2015: “I joined the Youth Peer Education Network (Y-PEER), a youth-to-youth initiative pioneered by UNFPA that promotes healthy lifestyles and empowers young people and was being taught to educate my peers using non-formal learning methods on sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality. I realized that it can actually have an impact, and I wanted to raise awareness, break stereotypes and advocate for better addressing these issues.”
She now volunteers as the Y-PEER International Coordinator and works with youth from Y-PEER National Networks to combat gender-based violence and taboos surrounding sexual and reproductive health issues in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and the Middle East and North Africa regions.
Additionally, she co-ordinates the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Preventive Diplomacy Academy Alumni Network, collaborating with Central Asian youth on the Youth, Peace and Security agenda and inspiring the next generation of female leaders, particularly those coming from less developed regions.
“It is difficult to sustain activism without support. My message is for those in power to devise programmes: please consider supporting networks for women at the beginning of their journey. The OSCE Women Peace Leadership Programme is a great example in this regard!” she stresses.
“I also want to reiterate the importance of bringing the Central Asian perspective to the global stage in shaping policies and programmes. I advocate for not leaving behind the needs of grassroots activists and communities, and for providing hand-in-hand support and allocating the relevant funding,” Guncha says.
"The Women Peace Leadership Programme is more than a programme to me; it's a journey of professional growth and connection with women changemakers. In this Programme, I am surrounded by the inspiring presence of both current and future women leaders, shaping a brighter tomorrow for our global community. I am deeply grateful for the practical support extended by OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmidt in empowering young women peacebuilders like myself to make a difference on the ground"
Hanna Hirose, Maylinda Bajrami and Guncha Annageldiyeva are three of the 16 mentees from around the OSCE region and Afghanistan, participating in the OSCE Women’s Peace Leadership Programme 2023-2024, an initiative of the OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid. The Programme aims to strengthen the ability of women to meaningfully engage and influence peace processes at all levels. It is a part of the OSCE’s flagship project WIN for Women and Men, which covers the Networking platform for Women Leaders including Peacebuilders and Mediators. The WIN project works with OSCE-supported networks and gives rise to new networks, fostering women’s participation and leadership, as well as broader men’s engagement in achieving gender equality.