This week, the GS-Foundation took part in the Women4Security Conference 2025 in Chișinău, Republic of Moldova – an event that has special significance this year. Together with international partners, the conference honoured two key milestones in the global gender equality and security agenda: 25 years of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and 30 years of the Beijing Declaration.
Strong voices for inclusive crisis management
On Wednesday, both our Chief Operating Officer Stefan Schwarz and our Senior Migration & Gender Expert Dr. Susanne Greiter participated in important panels dealing with inclusive crisis management, resilience and gender-responsive security policy.
Stefan Schwarz took part as a panellist in the discussion ‘Inclusive solutions in crisis management to protect lives’. In his contribution, he emphasised that progress in crisis response is only possible if women are not only present but also meaningfully involved in decision-making processes.
He highlighted five areas of impact in which women strengthen leadership and security in a sustainable manner:
- Role models within organisations and for the population
- Building trust through high accessibility
- Improved information channels and community outreach
- New perspectives and empathy for the needs of women and children
- Strengthening integrity and reducing misconduct
His central message was: ‘Peace processes succeed and endure when women experience meaningful – not symbolic – participation.’
Women’s voices from the field: Resilience on the front lines
In the afternoon, Dr. Susanne Greiter spoke on the panel ‘Voices of resilience from the front lines’ about gender-responsive crisis management and the role of women and girls in strengthening social resilience. The panel discussed the importance of women’s active participation in humanitarian planning and long-term recovery processes – a core concern of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
A historical framework for modern challenges
The evening before, Dr Greiter had given an impressive speech at a reception hosted by the Moldovan Ministry of the Interior at the Museum of History. Surrounded by historical exhibits, she reflected on how societies rebuild after crises – and that resilience is not remembered, but developed.
Referring to her work in the EQUALFORCE project, she highlighted the close cooperation between Moldova and Ukraine to prevent domestic violence, protect children and educators in risk areas, and strengthen prevention as an integral part of public safety.
She reminded the audience: ‘Women have never been absent from history. They have just too often been written out of it.’
She continued: ‘History lives on in the decisions we make today – in the courage of those who do not remain silent and in the institutions that learn to listen.’
Perspectives from Chișinău
The Women4Security Conference 2025 highlights the continuing importance of women in peace, security and crisis management. For the GS-Foundation, participation offered an opportunity to contribute experiences from its own work, raise awareness of ongoing projects and engage in international exchange on key issues of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
