Women as Agents of Peace: An Analytical Study of Grassroots Peacebuilding Initiatives in Meghalaya

The participation of women in peacebuilding has increasingly been recognized as a critical factor in achieving sustainable and inclusive peace, particularly in conflict-prone and ethnically diverse regions. This paper explores the role of women as agents of grassroots peace in Meghalaya, India, emphasizing how their localized initiatives contribute to social cohesion, conflict resolution, and community resilience. The study examines three key dimensions: (i) the mechanisms through which women construct and sustain localized forms of peace beyond formal state frameworks, (ii) the influence of matrilineal social structures, cultural identity, and community networks on women's approaches to conflict mediation, and (iii) the transformative potential and limitations of women-led initiatives in shaping policy discourse and inter-community trust. Findings indicate that women leverage moral authority, kinship networks, and culturally embedded practices to mediate disputes, foster dialogue, and restore relational harmony. Despite their significant contributions, institutional and structural constraints often limit the formal recognition of their efforts. By centering women?s agency within indigenous and participatory frameworks, the study highlights the importance of integrating culturally grounded, gender-sensitive approaches into broader peacebuilding strategies, offering insights for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners alike.