In our recent high-level webinar, "No Peace Without Women,"

The core theme: "Women as Catalysts for Peace, Reconciliation, and Social Renewal in Africa" emphasized that women are not merely participants in peacebuilding; they are its very foundation. Dr. Tageldin Hamad, President of UPF International, noted that women serve as catalysts, guiding communities from pain to healing and from mistrust to cooperation. This is a "practical truth"—sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the full and equal participation of women at every level of society

A historic highlight of the event was the formal investiture of Her Excellency Ambassador Dr. Calista Mutharika as the Chairperson of the International Association of First Ladies for Peace (IAFLP) Africa.

As the former First Lady of Malawi and current High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr. Mutharika brings a wealth of experience in service and advocacy. In her inaugural address, she outlined three strategic priorities for her tenure:

Mrs Carolyn Handschin, Director of the WFWP International Office for UN Relations, provided a compelling look at what she calls the "Missing Link hiding in plain sight" of women's leadership.

She introduced the paradigm-shifting concept of "Familiarchy": a social organization where the family unit is the nexus of intertwined networks of love. This model moves away from the "accusation" often found in discussions of patriarchy toward an engagement that recognizes women and mothers as central to achieving global family peace.

The gathering's unanimous answer: sustainable peace is not a moral concession to fairness. It is, as First Lady Maria de Fatima Villanova of São Tomé and Príncipe put it, simply the only smart strategy left.

Despite their roles as "givers of life" and "peace givers," women face significant barriers, including cultural norms and a lack of political will. Dr. Ntonifor Hélène Manka reminded us that any peace excluding women is incomplete, but peace that includes women is unstoppable

The resonance of this message was evident in our growing digital footprint, with a reach of 551. We concluded with a vibrant Call to Action, urging governments, civil society, and families across Africa to join hands in:

Together, we are raising a united voice for a new era of hope. Stay tuned as we continue to advance this mission across Africa and beyond.

Nomination Recognizes Decades of Global Peacebuilding,
Interfaith Dialogue and Korean Peninsula Initiatives

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)—April 3, 2026-- Universal Peace Federation
International (UPF International) today announced that Dr. Hak Ja Han, co-founder of the Universal Peace Federation, has been formally nominated for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize by Dr. Ján Figeľ, former European Union Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief and president of FOREF Europe.

The nomination recognizes Dr. Han’s decades-long contributions to international
peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, humanitarian cooperation, and reconciliation efforts,
particularly in relation to the Korean Peninsula.
In his submission, Dr. Figeľ highlighted several key initiatives:

💠 Interfaith cooperation: Appointment of thousands of Peace Ambassadors worldwide to bridge religious and cultural divides
💠 Korean Peninsula peace initiatives: Organization of international “Rally of Hope” summits promoting peaceful reunification
💠 Humanitarian recognition: Establishment of the Sunhak Peace Prize honoring global peace advocates
💠 United Nations engagement: Collaboration of UPF and the Women’s Federation for World Peace through General Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
💠 38th Parallel Peace Initiative: Proposal to create an international peace park in the Korean Demilitarized Zone
💠 Cultural diplomacy: Global outreach through the Little Angels Children’s Folk Ballet of Korea

“Dr. Hak Ja Han has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to peacebuilding rooted in dialogue, cooperation, and respect for human dignity,” said Dr. Figeľ. “Her work has consistently brought together leaders and communities across ideological, religious, and political divides.”

“Dr. Hak Ja Han’s life work represents a remarkable and sustained investment in peace,” said Dr. Tageldin Hamad, President of UPF International. “Through institution-building, global dialogue, humanitarian engagement, and cultural diplomacy, she has helped create platforms where cooperation can flourish and where the ideals of peace are translated into practical action.”

Born in what is now North Korea and shaped by the experience of war and division, Dr. Han has dedicated her life to promoting reconciliation and strengthening families and communities as foundations for lasting peace. She co-founded the Women’s Federation for World Peace in 1992 and the Universal Peace Federation in 2005, both of which have grown into global networks supporting peace initiatives.

The nomination also comes amid reports regarding Dr. Han’s current detention, which has raised concern among observers in the international community. According to public reporting, the matter has drawn attention among policymakers and diplomatic observers.

Nobel Peace Prize nominations are confidential, and the Norwegian Nobel Committee receives hundreds of nominations each year. A nomination does not imply selection but reflects recognition of significant contributions to peace and international cooperation.

Universal Peace Federation International is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting peace through dialogue, education, and cooperative initiatives. UPF holds GENERAL consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and supports programs in interfaith cooperation, sustainable development, and international collaboration.