Participation of the Women’s Fund “Sukhumi” in the Peace Congress

The Peace Congress held in The Hague, at the Peace Palace, brought together more than 500 peace activists and women human rights defenders from different countries around the world. The Congress served as an important space to reflect on the growing challenges facing peace and to explore how peace activism can be sustained in an increasingly difficult global context. The event also carried strong symbolic significance for the global women and peace movement.

The Congress concluded with a panel discussion that included Georgian women leaders and peacebuilders, once again highlighting how essential it is that voices from conflict-affected contexts and shrinking civic spaces remain an integral part of global peace dialogue.

The final part of the Congress was the Bertha von Suttner Peace Prize award ceremony. The Prize, established in Georgia through the vision and initiative of Salome Adamia, is rooted in the pacifist legacy of Bertha von Suttner - the first woman Nobel Peace Prize laureate - and aims to support and recognise leaders and activists engaged in peacebuilding.

This year, the prestigious award was presented to Elene Rusetskaia, in recognition of her long-term, consistent, and significant contribution to gender equality and women’s empowerment. 

We warmly congratulate Elene Rusetskaia on this well-deserved recognition, as our close partner and a collaborator in numerous joint projects that have delivered tangible benefits to communities. This award reflects not only her individual professional journey, but also the shared values and collective efforts that unite us in advancing women’s rights, peace, and justice.

It is also noteworthy that Ekaterine Gamakharashvili, Head of the Tbilisi Representative Office of the Women’s Fund “Sukhumi,” was included among the final nominees for the Bertha von Suttner Peace Prize. This recognition represents an important example of the international acknowledgement of the work carried out by the Women’s Fund “Sukhumi” women leaders and peacebuilders, and once again underscores the significance of their contribution to global peace processes. 

The project is implemented with the support of Brot für die Welt