This International Women’s Month, we continue to highlight the vital role of women in peacebuilding. In this reflection, Jai Estocapio, IID’s Build Program Officer and Knowledge Management Coordinator, shares insights from working with remarkable women leaders who are shaping inclusive and lasting peace in the Philippines.
Working with the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) for the past two years has been transformative. Though it may seem like a short time, the experiences I have gained and the people I have met make it feel like a decade’s worth of learning and growth. I have come to deeply value the strength, trust, and inclusivity that IID upholds, particularly its recognition of women’s leadership as essential to the success of our peacebuilding efforts.
One of the privileges I cherish most in this work is the opportunity to collaborate with remarkable women leaders—women I once only read about in college. Now, I work alongside them, learning from their wisdom, resilience, and unwavering commitment to peace.
Over the past two years, in our efforts to build a strong and inclusive constituency for peace in the Philippines, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable capacity of women to shape and sustain conversations that lead to lasting peace. What strikes me most is their diversity—no two women leaders are the same. Each has her own distinct presence, yet they all embody qualities that are essential to peacebuilding.
One woman I deeply admire exudes an innate warmth that commands respect. In a room filled with influential men from the business sector, discussing grand strategies to support the Bangsamoro, it was her voice that anchored the conversation. In just a few minutes, she articulated her work with coffee farmers, explaining not just what she does, but why she does it. Her words carried so much sincerity and conviction that they left a lasting impression. I later heard echoes of her insights in other discussions—a testament to the power of her leadership.
Another woman was a name I encountered repeatedly in my college readings, a face I saw on television and in countless online searches when looking for references. Years later, I found myself working with her. She is the embodiment of a woman leading in a space dominated by men. She speaks with clarity and decisiveness, even in the most uncertain situations. She has dedicated her entire life to doing what she believes is right—and continues to do so with relentless passion.
And then, there is not just one woman but an entire organization—led and shaped by women. Their leadership is unique, not just because of the work they do, but in how they do it. They have mastered the art of stepping back so others can step forward. They are known in communities as the caretakers of women and youth agencies, empowering others to speak and lead. From them, I have learned that leadership is not about taking center stage; it is about making space for others to rise.
These are just a few of the many stories I carry with me—stories that illustrate why women must be at the forefront of peacebuilding. It is not simply because they are women, but because the qualities that society often associates with femininity—empathy, resilience, adaptability—are precisely what is needed to build and sustain peace.
Women ask the right questions, demand action with clarity and conviction, and remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice. Their presence is not just supportive; it is transformative. They sit at decision-making tables not as observers, but as architects of change—ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of peace.
Empathy is often cited as an innate trait in women, but what makes them exceptional peacebuilders is their ability to pair this empathy with unshakable resolve. They can sit across from those who have caused harm and engage in dialogue—not with weakness, but with quiet, unwavering strength.
Over the past two years, I have seen women navigate complex and contentious processes with grace, resilience, and strategic wisdom. Perhaps it is their instinct to adapt, to find pathways forward despite immense challenges, that allows them to rise as leaders and take up valuable seats at decision-making tables. They are not just the backbone of communities; they are the architects of peace, shaping the course of history.
There is nothing I have seen that women cannot do. And in moments like this, I am grateful—to be a woman, and to be surrounded by strong, capable, and visionary women who continue to break barriers and build a future rooted in peace and justice.
—Jai Estocapio, Build Program Officer and Knowledge Management Coordinator of Initiatives for International Dialogue
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