Women advancing peace and security: new podcast season amplifies voices from Latin America and the Caribbean.
A new season of the podcast Women, Forces of Change features four women from Colombia, El Salvador, Antigua and Barbuda, and Peru whose personal journeys are strengthening communities and reshaping leadership in peace and security.
Produced as part of UNLIREC’s Women, Forces of Change initiative, and aligned with global efforts to advance women’s participation in peace and security, including UN General Assembly Resolution 65/69, the series invites audiences to explore how women across the region are taking action to prevent violence and lead change in peace and security.
Since 2012, the initiative has highlighted the contributions of more than 200 women working in disarmament, arms control, and violence prevention – fields traditionally dominated by men, where women’s contributions have often been overlooked. This second season builds on that legacy, offering a closer look at how individual experiences can inspire collective change.
From personal struggle to public impact
Although they come from different countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and represent diverse professional backgrounds, the four women featured this season share one powerful trait: each has turned personal challenges into a force for change.
Arianna Pedraza, a young leader from Colombia and founder of the initiative Río Adentro, reflects on growing up in a territory shaped by conflict and how reconnecting with identity, memory and community can help rebuild peace from within.
Wendy Caishpal, a Salvadoran lawyer and survivor of armed violence, speaks about rebuilding her life after a life-changing injury at the age of 14. Today, she advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities and survivors, demonstrating how resilience can drive meaningful social change.
From the Caribbean, Gordina Hector-Murrell, Director of Cyber Security at the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Information Technology in Antigua and Barbuda, shares her journey from being a schoolteacher to leading efforts against cybercrime. Her story highlights the growing importance of protecting victims of online abuse and the role women are playing in shaping safer digital spaces.
In Peru, investigative journalist Pamela Huerta offers a glimpse into the risks and responsibilities faced by reporters working in areas affected by organized crime. Her work challenges silence and sheds light on issues that often remain hidden.
Inspiring the next generation
The stories featured in the podcast were recorded following the Women, Forces of Change symposium held in Lima in December 2025, where women leaders from across the region working in peace and security gathered to exchange experiences and strengthen collaboration.
Beyond individual journeys, the series underscores a broader message: peace and security are not abstract concepts, but outcomes shaped by people—often by those whose voices have not always been heard.
By sharing these stories, the podcast aims to inspire the next generation of women and young leaders to take action in their own communities, contributing to safer and more inclusive societies. The podcast Women, Forces of Change – Women Talk edition is available on Spotify and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs YouTube channel.
Additional links:
- Tune in now: Spotify | Youtube
- Women, Forces of Change initiative
- Office for Disarmament Affairs: Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC)
- A-Z: United Nations Podcasts