Join CCSD, who co-organised this event, for another compelling session in our Voices for Change series, featuring two trailblazing women who have led transformative efforts for peace, justice, and political inclusion in their home countries of Sri Lanka and Yemen. Through decades of frontline work—from peace negotiations and ceasefire mediation to grassroots organizing and political advocacy—Visaka Dharmadasa and Dr. Bilqis Abu-Osba have challenged exclusion, elevated women’s leadership, and forged new paths for civic participation in the midst of conflict and transition.

Together, they will reflect on the power of civic leadership in times of crisis, the critical importance of inclusive national dialogue, and how women’s voices and experiences shape more just and sustainable futures. Drawing on their lived experiences and strategic engagement with governments, communities, and international actors, they will explore how inclusive processes can heal divided societies, reclaim public space, and ensure that transitions center human rights and dignity. Their insights offer not only powerful inspiration but also concrete lessons for Syrians seeking to navigate complex political realities and build a future grounded in justice, accountability, and democratic values.