In 2000, the UN recognized the role and responsibilities of women at the centre of the international security agenda. As nowadays most conflicts affect civil society, especially women and children, women must be seen as actors who can provide important resources and powerful voices of peace for the prevention and resolution of these conflicts. Since the UN recognition, the participation of women in mediation processes and the gender sensitivity of peace agreements have increased to some degree but not enough: women can often be found but not always seen at the forefront of conflicts and violence prevention innovations. In order to enhance their work, networks of women have an important role to play. The Mediterranean Women Mediators Network is a good example in this direction, as it is working to promote women’s contributions to stability in the Mediterranean region.

This article is part of the 28 - 29th issue of the IEMed’s publication ‘’Quaderns de la mediterrània’’ (Notebooks of the Mediterranean)