NEWPORT, R.I. — An annual conference was held at the U.S. Naval War College to discuss empowering women in conflict prevention and peace.
The fifth annual Women, Peace and Security Conference is taking place at the college’s campus in Newport on Thursday and Friday.
The war college says it’s the only U.S. military academic program specifically related to the topic.
Leaders from academia, the military and non-governmental organizations attended.
The keynote speaker was Leymah Gbowee, a 2011 Nobel Peace Prize recipient. She led a women’s peace movement that helped end Liberia’s civil war in 2003.
The inaugural conference was held after former President Barack Obama released the first national action plan in 2011 to advance women’s participation in preventing conflict and keeping peace.
