Traditional peacemaking has rested on the premise that success is measured in effectiveness not inclusiveness. Yet,  peace has often proved elusive. Today, there is a growing body of evidence which shows that conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding processes that fully and meaningfully include women - and civil society, are more likely to generate broad national ownership and support for a negotiated settlement that leads to a more durable and sustainable peace.

In the Cyprus settlement talks, while the leaders and their negotiators have thus far all been men, women have taken on pivotal roles as both sides have increasingly included senior women in their delegations, as political and legal advisors, as co-chairs, as members of working groups and technical committees. This trend culminated in the agreement of the former Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Ersin Tatar, on an Action Plan on ways to ensure women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in the settlement process/an eventual settlement process in Cyprus, developed by the Technical Committee on Gender Equality. The Action Plan was launched on 13 April 2022.

This exhibition seeks to highlight and celebrate the important, yet little known, contribution of women to the Cyprus talks over the years with the twofold objective – to inform and to inspire. 

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