On 10 March 2026, the UNPO hosted a webinar titled “Peoples’ Rights, Peoples’ Future – Women Leading Democracy and Self-Determination” to mark International Women’s Day. The discussion brought together women leaders and advocates from UNPO member communities to reflect on the role of women in movements for democracy, human rights, and self-determination.
The session was hosted by UNPO Vice-President Elisenda Paluzie, who opened the event by highlighting the structural challenges faced by women from unrepresented nations and peoples. Women’s political engagement, she noted, often requires navigating both external repression and internal debates surrounding gender roles and representation. At the same time, women continue to play a vital role in movements advocating democracy, federalism, and self-determination. As Paluzie emphasised during the discussion, “meaningful self-determination cannot be separated from inclusive political participation, with women as active agents.”
The webinar featured contributions from Edna Adan Ismail (Somaliland), Sofia Amini (Iranian Kurdistan), and Hafezaan Wadhio (Sindh), who shared perspectives on the experiences of women advocating for rights, recognition, and democratic participation.
Reflecting on her experience in political and civic leadership, Edna Adan Ismail underscored the importance of perseverance and commitment in movements advocating peaceful and democratic change. She emphasised that the struggle for recognition and dignity is closely connected to broader human rights principles, stating that “everybody has a right to their name, their identity, their country, and to live in peace in that country.”
Sofia Amini spoke about the role of Kurdish women in political activism and the importance of diaspora engagement in advocating for democratic governance and minority rights. Kurdish activists living abroad, she explained, continue to organise and mobilise internationally to raise awareness about the situation facing their communities. As she noted during the discussion, “distance doesn’t mean silence,” highlighting how diaspora advocacy remains an important avenue for political engagement and international solidarity.
Hafezaan Wadhio addressed the challenges faced by communities in Sindh, including environmental degradation, water scarcity, and the ongoing issue of enforced disappearances. She explained that these issues often have profound social consequences, particularly for women who frequently bear the burden of securing essential resources and supporting families in difficult circumstances. For Wadhio, the pursuit of women’s rights is inseparable from broader struggles for justice and self-determination, noting that “a society cannot claim freedom while women face discrimination or insecurity.”
In her concluding remarks, Paluzie reflected on the key message emerging from the discussion: that women’s participation is essential to building resilient and inclusive democratic movements. As she concluded, “women’s political participation is central — not supplementary — to self-determination.” Across generations and regions, the webinar highlighted how women from unrepresented nations and peoples continue to reshape political discourse, strengthen democratic resilience, and advance the struggle for rights and recognition.
The full recording of the webinar will be available on the UNPO YouTube channel, where audiences will be able to revisit the discussion and continue engaging with these important perspectives.