Women’s Peace Leadership Programme: Tina Kurath (Switzerland), Maureen Walschot (Belgium) and Nina Ullom (US)

Tina Kurath grew up in the tranquillity and prosperity of Switzerland. The mountainous centre of Europe is known for its staunch neutrality, political stability, and high socio-economic standards. Yet, it is also a country which had a long road to women's suffrage, comparatively speaking.

"My home is a peaceful place with high living standards, but it was relatively late in granting women the right to vote compared to many of its neighbours. Even today, in Switzerland women remain underrepresented in politics and leadership positions," says Tina. This awareness sparked her interest in advocating for gender equality and challenging systemic gender barriers.

The social dissonance of Switzerland's belated recognition of women's suffrage informed Tina's early worldview, instilling a nascent drive to challenge systemic inequalities.

She was also inspired by the testimonies of women such as Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai and Yemeni journalist Tawakkol Karman. The inspiration and courage of these and other activists who dared to dream of a different future, as well as their resolve and status as global women peacebuilders, left their mark. She strongly believes that for a community or society to thrive truly, all voices must be represented and meaningfully included.

"The voices are usually there, but sometimes passing on the megaphone is needed. In this sense, I see my role as a facilitator, who ensures that everyone has the opportunity to build a more just and equitable society," Tina says.

This belief inspired her to take on leadership roles. Currently, she contributes to social development programmes with the UN in Somalia, where she witnesses daily the tangible impact of addressing gender disparities amid development and peacebuilding efforts.

"Having a solid support system to exchange experiences and insights with peers and like-minded people is crucial in a field where the personal is so closely interlinked with the work we are doing. For me, the OSCE WPLP is such an amazing programme because it combines technical skills with building a community, networking opportunities, and mentorship."

From Belgium to the World: Unveiling Global Gender Disparities

Maureen Walschot grew up in Belgium, an equally prosperous and developed country, one at the heart of political power in Europe. "Early exposure to feminist literature and the guidance of progressive high school teachers set off my interest in geopolitics and gender analysis. I was also able to travel and experience different cultures around the world from the age of 18 when I first left my home country to go and work in Australia for a few years. This experience really emphasised the interconnectedness of environmental and gender inequalities."

During a university exchange in Mexico, Maureen encountered first-hand the stark realities of gender disparities, igniting a fervent passion for advocacy. "Moving to Guadalajara for my Erasmus exchange year during my bachelor's degree was a transformative experience. It exposed me to the harsh realities of a more patriarchal society where women's rights are often violated, compounded by widespread violence," she says.

During a second university exchange in Chile, Maureen's understanding of gender disparities was further deepened as she witnessed the repercussions of inadequate sexual education and the unequal distribution of working hours and household tasks, a manifestation of the systemic barriers hindering women's economic empowerment. Nevertheless, amidst these challenges, she observed a growing wave of female political engagement and activism. "Despite the historical entrenchment of traditional gender roles and patriarchal culture, it was beyond powerful to witness women in both Mexico and Chile increasingly asserting their presence in political spheres and protest movements. This resilient spirit of defiance against inequalities nourished my understanding of the transformative potential of collective action and advocacy," Maureen underscores.

Throughout her career and professional experiences in Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, Maureen honed her ability to drive an independent approach that acknowledges both the unique challenges and invaluable contributions of women in peace processes. "I tuned out unfounded criticism, stayed true to my principles, and built a strong support network. Along the way I've embraced challenges as opportunities for growth and refined my leadership style to prioritise authenticity and empathy." She now hopes to leave a mark on the global landscape of gender advocacy and social change with her NGO The Tide, which she recently co-founded to build a community to stimulate creative, innovative solutions to environmental challenges, gender inequality, and global insecurities.

American Perspectives: Identity and Influence

Nina Ullom was raised under the guidance of a forward-thinking mother and carried with her the ideals of independence and empowerment while growing up in Chantilly, Virginia, a suburb of Washington D.C. Her childhood, shadowed by the terrorist attacks of 9/11 (the Pentagon was only a few miles from her school) and the subsequent geopolitical turmoil, gave her a heightened awareness of the global impact of local actions. "I started to understand that for better or worse, the U.S. and its decisions - good and bad - have an outsized impact on the world," Nina said.

There were also deep-rooted challenges that affected Nina's understanding of the unseen barriers women are facing. For example, the struggle to be taken seriously as a woman. "I have felt more adversity from being Black and female in the U.S. The challenges for me in 2024 are the subconscious thoughts colleagues and peers hold about me and Black women in general. Because of my identities, I know I need to be more patient, gracious, and pleasant than my white or male counterparts overall. I know I must present professionally and ensure my work is unimpeachable because any presentation of weakness can and will be used against me."

Despite the everyday struggle to be taken seriously that Nina faced, her resolve strengthened. Having worked with the leading networks in the field of conflict prevention, peacebuilding, refugee rights, and gender equality, she highlights the power of authenticity and self-worth in her personal journey. "The most important thing young people, and especially young women need to know, is that they have power and are powerful. I'd encourage young women, in all their diversity, to take the time to understand and value themselves."

In her current role as the Human Rights and Development Policy Advisor at the British Embassy in Washington, Nina strives to transform the discourses on the roles of women in peacebuilding so that existing barriers can be removed. This long-awaited change can only be achieved by bringing together a wide range of expertise, knowledge and experience.

"I applied to the Women's Peace Leadership Programme to meet young women in my field and understand the mechanics of negotiations, mediation, and peacebuilding processes. I hoped to learn from the diverse experiences assembled and moving forward, elevate and empower all marginalized populations, and ensure their participation and personal ownership of peace negotiations and transitional justice," she says. "In my day-to-day work, I can get lost in the details of planning programs for high-level Ministers and making sure they have the correct lines in their briefings. But, taking time away to reflect on my work with young women with similar goals and diverse backgrounds can clarify why I have chosen to work on equity, justice, and feminism and provide a new lens on how I should continue to do so," Nina concludes.

Tina Kurath, Maureen Walschot and Nina Ullom 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.