Launched in 2010, "Women Connect Across Conflicts" is a two-year programme funded by the European Union to enhance the capacity of human rights and gender equality activists and their networks to engage, influence and mobilize dialogues on peace and security issues at the national and regional levels in the Southern Caucasus. These countries include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, South, Pakistan and Afganistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgystan.
Through the cross-regional programme, UN Women has supported a number of consultations with women activists that have resulted in a Consolidated Appeal of Women’s Non-governmental Organizations to the UN Secretary-General and the UN Security Council. The appeal’s objective is to accelerate the implementation of global policy commitments to promote the women, peace and security agenda and take urgent measures to address the issue of violence against women and girls during conflict and post-conflict situations. In particular, the appeal stresses the establishment of a Women’s Peace Corps to strengthen capacities of women peace mediators and networks on conflict mediation. In line with these recommendations, UN Women is developing a strategy to support a Women’s Peace Corps and, ultimately, increase women’s participation in peace processes.