Quiet transformation: “Peacebuilding is not about being perfect; it is about being present and persistent”

Ana Nemsadze, 33, is a peacebuilder from Georgia. Growing up in a conflict-affected community, participating in cultural exchanges and volunteering with the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) expanded her understanding of resilience and social cohesion. She now leads the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) direction at the Women’s Information Centre (WIC).

1. How has your experience shaped your understanding of peace and gender equality?

I was born and raised in the city of Zugdidi close to the conflict affected region of Georgia, in a community that lived with the constant presence of conflict. I did not experience displacement myself, but I lived through the 90s chaos and felt the fragility of peace.

As a FLEX exchange student in the United States, I learned from diverse cultures, represented Georgia and built lasting friendships with people from around the world. This exposure to democratic values and social cohesion deepened my sense of responsibility to contribute to equality, peace and youth engagement back home. From then on, I became more active in supporting women, rural communities and youth around Georgia, with special focus on conflict affected and internally displaced people (IDPs) and communities.

Later, with the European Solidarity Corps, I volunteered in a small Lithuanian town, Siauliai, in a very different cultural context, learning how communities heal, connect and build resilience. Through this experience, I understood that solidarity is about generations, communities, identities and especially women supporting women. ESC gave me ‘soul food’ at a time when I was also studying for my master’s. I returned home with a deeper sense of responsibility to continue peacebuilding, to foster equity and to contribute to long-lasting peace in my region.

2. When did you first realize that peacebuilding could be more than a passion, but your profession?

Peacebuilding has been a part of me throughout my life, but the real spark came when I first intersected with the Women’s Information Centre through a public event on social media that brought together experts, survivors and religious leaders. There were more than 200 participants and I realized how impactful even a single discussion could be, not just for me, but for others as well. That moment convinced me to engage more actively with women and youth upon my return home. I started by conducting a summer camp for young people from Eastern Partnership countries, and step-by-step, I began dedicating most of my time to WIC.

Transformation happened quickly and I realized that peacebuilding is not only about speaking on panels or writing reports; it requires strategy, structure, accountability and strong networks. From that day, I began treating my passion as a profession. I invested in my skills, pursued thematic training and led projects with empathy and discipline. Passion opened the door, but discipline walked me through it.

3. What are the most urgent challenges you see for advancing the WPS agenda in Georgia?

One of the most pressing issues I see today is the gap between the commitments made under the WPS agenda and the lived realities of women in conflict-affected communities. Georgia’s National Action Plan (NAP) on United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 (covering 2012–2015) was the first NAP in the South Caucasus region. But in practice, throughout the implementation process, we see that actions are uneven.

Internally displaced and conflict affected women are coping with poverty, insecurity and the legacy of conflict, and they remain outside the circles where reconciliation and integration should be happening. This creates a fragile peace where mistrust and divides persist. At the same time, the new generation of peacebuilders is not being meaningfully included or mentored, which threatens the continuity of peacebuilding in Georgia and the wider Caucasus. 
Funding cuts, shrinking spaces for civil society and democratic backsliding has made WPS advocacy more difficult. That’s why in my work I focus on building bridges from the ground up, through peer-to-peer exchange, creating dialogue spaces and implementing grass-roots projects that show what reconciliation can look like in practice. These local successes can then become the basis for stronger advocacy, including for the long-overdue fifth NAP.

4. What has been the most impactful project or activity you’ve led or contributed to

There are many milestones I hold dear, but one stands out: a workshop we facilitated with conflict-affected women and youth. The intergenerational approach showed the strongest results and network members are still carrying the work forward today.

It was part of a larger initiative by our organization to localize the WPS agenda in Georgian municipalities. We engaged the process with different activities, including providing support to local governments, empowering emerging leaders and co-creating human-centred knowledge products, developed by and for those most affected.

Through exchanging views on peacebuilding, participants built stronger bonds and solidarity across communities. That moment never made headlines, but it was transformational. The true impact was in the shift of confidence, in women realizing: ‘My story matters; my voice belongs at the table’. For me as a peacebuilder, facilitating that kind of transformation – quiet but profound – is the impact I strive for.

5. What would you say to other young women considering a path in peace and security work?

I would tell them: start where you are. Peace work can sometimes feel distant, heavy or even unrealistic. But in truth, it begins with small acts, such as listening deeply, challenging injustice and creating inclusive spaces. You don’t need to wait for a title or an invitation. If you care, you are already part of the movement.

I found my own path by saying ‘yes’ to opportunities that scared me, by surrounding myself with other women change-makers and by committing to constant learning. You don’t need to know everything to begin, you just need to care enough not to stop.

Don’t be afraid to bring your whole self into this work. Your creativity, your culture, even your vulnerabilities are not distractions; they are your strengths. Finally, peacebuilding is not about being perfect; it is about being present and persistent.

This story is published as part of "The Past, Present, and Future of Women, Peace, and Security" campaign, commemorating the 25th anniversary of UNSCR 1325, to celebrate the power of peace. The campaign aims to foster a deeper dialogue on equality, justice and peace, honoring the legacies and amplifying the voices of 25 trailblazing women from across Europe and Central Asia whose significant contributions have transformed their communities, societies, and beyond. The content reflects the personal views and experiences of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent the official position of UN Women, its partners, or the United Nations.