“During the decades of civil war, women were never formally invited into the peace talks – but we showed up anyway.”

On International Women’s Day, Hon. Philister Baya Lawiri, Chair of South Sudan’s Civil Service Commission, highlights the missing ingredient needed in the stalled Sudan-South Sudan peace process: the participation of women.

"Since the first sparks of the revolution, women have defied national stereotypes."

Emad Karim, a young Egyptian who took part in a debate with the Elders during their visit to Cairo in October 2012, blogs about the challenges facing women in Egypt's patriarchal society, arguing that men and boys should be actively involved in the campaign for equality.

"It’s not a matter of finger-pointing, but of winning hearts and minds first."

Ntenga Moses of Joy for Children Uganda, a member of the global Girls Not Brides partnership, describes how poverty and years of conflict have helped to perpetuate high rates of child marriage – and how he is working closely with communities to change attitudes towards girls.

"How can we change attitudes in communities where child marriage isn’t seen as a problem? 'Who are you to tell us what to do?' they tell us."

Muhammad Aslam of the Peace Foundation blogs about his work to tackle child marriage in rural Pakistan – and why being part of the Girls Not Brides coalition is a source of strength as he faces daily challenges in his efforts to end this harmful practice.

"We can end child marriage, because together we can achieve anything." Youth campaigner Nitu, India

In this new video from Girls Not Brides, campaigners from across South Asia – home to nearly half of the world's child brides – explain what motivates them and how they are playing their part in the struggle to end child marriage.

“It may be hard to measure their direct impact on the global task of ending child marriage, but this visit, for me at least, has me convinced that The Elders are creating a real tipping point.”

Pam Omidyar, founder of Humanity United and member of The Elders' Advisory Council, blogs about joining the Elders in India and their efforts to elevate the issue of child marriage.

Shortly after attending a meeting between the Elders and leading women from politics, civil society, business, journalism and academia, Nadia Karayianni reflects on the vital role of women in fostering peace in Cyprus.

Rana Zincir Celal coordinates the Cyprus Chapter of the Greek-Turkish Forum. Following a meeting between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot women and Elders' Lakhdar Brahimi and Gro Brundtland, she writes about the need for women to be more involved in the peace process in Cyprus

Sari Freitekh discovers the hidden serenity of the Qalandia Camp Handicraft Cooperative and meets the women who are empowering their peers through literacy and skills training.