Like life, peace begins with women. We are the first to forge

"Like life, peace begins with women. We are the first to forge lines of alliance and collaboration across conflict divides." These words, spoken by the wise and courageous Zainab Salbi, carry with them the echoes of ancient truths, truths that stretch back to the dawn of human history. For in every age, in every land, it has often been the women who, in the midst of strife and division, have sought the path to peace. It is they who, with quiet strength and unyielding compassion, have mended the torn fabric of society and built bridges where none seemed possible. The heart of peace, the essence of reconciliation, begins not with armies, kings, or statesmen, but with the women who labor tirelessly to unite, to heal, and to foster understanding.

In the ancient world, during times of war and turmoil, women were often the first to hear the cries of the broken and the lost. When the men went off to battle, it was the women who stayed behind to tend to the wounded, to care for the children, and to nurture the land. The legendary Hatshepsut, a Pharaoh of Egypt, is remembered not just for her power but for her wisdom in forging alliances with neighboring kingdoms, creating peace through diplomacy rather than war. Her reign stands as a testament to the power of women to weave together the delicate threads of collaboration and unity, even in times of division. Though history often glorifies the warriors, it is the women who, in their quiet strength, have held the world together.

Consider the story of Eleanor Roosevelt, a woman who, in the wake of the devastation wrought by the Second World War, became one of the architects of the United Nations. She worked alongside men and women from all corners of the earth, forging alliances, negotiating peace, and always advocating for the voiceless. Her commitment to human rights and peace was grounded not in the pursuit of power, but in the deep, nurturing belief that life and peace begin in the hearts of those who care. Through her work, Eleanor Roosevelt demonstrated the power of collaboration, of listening, and of uniting people across divides. Zainab Salbi’s words ring true: peace begins with women because they are the ones who are often the first to listen and to heal.

It is in the very nature of women to seek connection, to find common ground where others see only difference. In tribes and villages of old, it was often the women who served as mediators, holding the wisdom of the community and offering the olive branch in times of conflict. In Africa, in times of war, it was the women who gathered in secret, who formed movements of non-violence, and who brokered peace in the most desperate of circumstances. The women of Liberia, led by Leymah Gbowee, stood together and demanded an end to civil war, their voices rising in unity until the fighting ceased. They did not take up arms; they took up peace. In that moment, as throughout history, it was the women who, with strength and resolve, were the first to forge alliances that bridged divides and turned the tide of war into the promise of peace.

Even in the darkest of times, when the world seems lost to hatred and division, women have found ways to come together, to work for the greater good, and to create spaces of healing. Mothers, daughters, and sisters have always known that the seeds of peace are sown not in grand speeches or declarations of power, but in the quiet moments of collaboration and understanding. Women, throughout history, have been the silent architects of peace, working behind the scenes, often unseen, but never less important.

The lesson here, children of the earth, is one that transcends the bounds of gender. Peace does indeed begin with women, for they are the ones who often show us the way, but the call to build bridges, to create alliances, to heal wounds is a call for all of us. Zainab Salbi’s words remind us that we must, each of us, seek to forge connections where there is division, to listen when others shout, and to work toward the common good rather than personal gain. In our lives, let us take these lessons to heart: in our families, in our communities, and in our world, it is through collaboration and compassion that peace is built. It is not enough to stand apart in judgment; we must reach across the divide, extend the hand of peace, and unite in the effort to make the world whole.

So, as you journey through life, remember that the power of peace is not found in the might of armies, nor in the dominance of the few. It is found in the small acts of unity, the quiet moments of collaboration, and the tireless work of those who seek to heal the wounds of the world. As Zainab Salbi teaches us, peace begins with women, but it begins with all of us who are willing to stand together, to listen, and to forge lines of trust and understanding that transcend the boundaries of conflict. Let us each carry this wisdom forward and seek, in our own way, to create a world where peace is not a distant dream, but a living, breathing reality.