International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the unwavering courage and leadership of women who dedicate their lives to building peace.
One such example is Peacemaker in Action, Yeny Gloribel Nolasco Quijadav.
Born and raised in El Salvador, Yeny has spent her life working to break cycles of violence. Drawing on her Catholic faith and Mayan spirituality, she works to prevent at-risk youth from being pulled into organized crime, trains communities in sustainable farming, and engages law enforcement in peacebuilding efforts.
For Yeny, peace starts at home . As she shares, “The woman is the first peacemaker that exists.” She reminds us that women play an essential role in shaping communities, nurturing the next generation, and ensuring that peace is a shared responsibility between men and women alike.
On International Women’s Day, we uplift Yeny’s voice and the voices of countless women who fight for peace, justice, and equity. Their leadership is not just important, it is essential.