The Swedish Women’s Mediation Network is expanding

The objective of the network is to increase the meaningful participation of women in peace processes – including processes to prevent and solve conflicts and peacebuilding efforts in the aftermath of conflict – to ensure that women’s needs, perspectives, and interests are prioritized. The network is a part of the network for Nordic women mediators and the Global Alliance of Regional Women Mediator Networks.

– The members have contributed to an increased awareness of the importance of inclusive peace processes and the role of women in mediated peace processes among key peace and security actors at a global and national level. The network has also made an impressive contribution to knowledge transfer and skills development, says FBA's Director-General Sven-Eric Söder.

The first members of the Swedish Women’s Mediation Network all came from a background within diplomacy or the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The new members come from different parts of the Swedish civil society, thus adding much-valued experience from that sector. They have been appointed by FBA and the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

–Although the women's peace and security agenda have existed for over 20 years, women are still underrepresented in all aspects of peace processes. Therefore, the mediation network's work to strengthen the role of women and active participation in peace processes - both in terms of prevention, resolution of conflicts and building peace after conflict - is more important than ever, says Sven-Eric Söder.

Here are the new members

Dr Angela Muvumba Sellström is a Senior Researcher at the Nordic Africa Institute (NAI), Uppsala, Sweden. She has contributed to policy research in Africa, Sweden and internationally for over 20 years. Her topical expertise is the UN Security Council processes; the African Union and regional economic communities/mechanisms; peacekeeping; conflict-related sexual violence; women, peace and security.

Dr Chris Coulter has over 20 years of experience within the fields of peace, security and mediation. She is the former Head of the Dialogue and Peace Mediation Unit at the Folke Bernadotte Academy, FBA. Her topical expertise is process design, conflict analysis, mediation and negotiation.

Jessica Poh-Janrell works as an Advocacy Advisor at the Head Office of the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation. She previously worked in Brussels for the European Commission’s Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (DG ECHO). Jessica’s topical expertise is women’s Rights, Civil society participation in peacebuilding, Holistic approach to the WPS-agenda and Feminist Foreign Policy.

Lotta Sjöström Becker is the Secretary General of the Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation (SweFOR) and holds the role of President of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR). She has worked in the field of peace and human rights for almost twenty years, both in conflict affected areas and in Sweden. Her areas of expertise include conflict analysis, conflict transformation, inclusive peace processes, and security sector reform.

Ola Saleh is an independent peacebuilding and conflict sensitivity expert with over 15 years of experience from humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts. Her areas of expertise include inclusive mediation support, peacebuilding, Women Peace and Security agenda, and leadership.

Rosaline Marbinah is President of LSU – the National Council of Swedish Youth Organisations. She has previously been a board member in ForumCiv and other civil society organisations. Her areas of expertise include democracy, human rights, human security, civil society, and UNSCR 2250.

Tove Ivergård is Head of International Cooperation at WILPF Sweden. She has a background in Peace and Conflict studies at Uppsala University and has worked in the field of Women, Peace and Security since 2009. Her areas of expertise include conflict prevention, civil society, and feminist analysis.

The Swedish Women's Mediation Network on fba.se