Women and Peace: What are the Challenges? (WFWP Portugal)

On March 26, 2022, WFWP Portugal held its International Women’s Day Celebration via an online webinar.

More than 60 people from eight countries were in attendance, including Lusophone Countries, Holland, Spain, Canada, Brazil and Portugal as well. From Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa, to attendees from Angola, Mozambique and São Tomé & Príncipé, there were people present from all over the world!

The theme was: "Women and Peace - What are the Challenges?", which was very well presented by the three women speakers: Dr. Isabel Costa, Dr. Ritvania Barrica and Dr. Odete Costa.

The former National Leader from Portugal, Prof. Liberto Silva, opened the event with words of deep appreciation for the Co-founders of WFWP, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and her late husband, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon. He spoke of Dr. Moon, affectionately known as the Mother of Peace, as the role model for the Women of Peace, and shared about the 30th Anniversary of WFWP and the organization's history.

After the speeches given by the three keynote speakers, there was a cultural part of the program, offering homage to the victims of the European war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as all wars around the world. This was followed by selected images from an Ambassador for Peace, Dr. Isabel Leitão, who launched her first book of poetry. Her daughter, who is also an Ambassador for Peace, read one of the poems as a way of paying homage to all women.

The President of WFWP Portugal, Dr. Marta de Carvalho, closed the event, speaking of how women suffered in history to gain their freedom and rights. She spoke strongly about how both men and women show respect and wisdom in a complementary way and shared how both masculine and feminine qualities represent the two aspects of the Creator’s heart. The result is that both men and women can create a harmonious balance and bring about happiness and peace in the family and society.