Guila Clara Kessous: The New Voice for Women's Rights
In the month of March, as we observe International Women's Rights Day, the urgency of amplifying women's voices has never been more critical. Women make up 52% of the global population, yet their access to fundamental rights remains profoundly unequal.
One in three women will experience gender-based violence in her lifetime. Women hold only 26% of parliamentary seats worldwide. Seventy percent of those living below the poverty line are women, despite performing over 75% of the world’s unpaid labor. While 112 countries have pledged to promote gender equality, the results have been insufficient. These statistics underscore the pressing need for governments, the private sector, and civil society to unite in reversing these trends and ensuring that women have equitable access to opportunities and fundamental rights. International Women's Rights Day, declared by the United Nations, serves as an annual focal point in the global women's rights movement, shining a light on issues such as gender equality, violence, and abuse against women across the world.
The pivotal importance
The 5th Edition of the Femina Vox International Forum, taking place on March 5, 2025, at UNESCO Paris, is founded and directed by Dr. Guila Clara Kessous, UNESCO Artist for Peace and Ambassador for Peace of the Universal Circle of Ambassadors of Peace (Geneva). This event will highlight women's voices from around the world, focusing on women's rights, societal issues, and diplomacy, all aligned with the United Nations' theme celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration in 2025.
On that day, the forum will provide a unique global platform for women from all sectors of society to share their struggles, successes, and aspirations. Despite the progress made, gender equality remains an ongoing challenge, and every voice is essential in advancing women's rights worldwide. Over twenty influential speakers will present their experiences and offer concrete solutions to drive change within their spheres of influence.
Achieving this change requires the collective effort of all to ensure a more equal world for future generations—a goal that may feel like climbing a rope without a safety net, but with a vision dedicated to protecting every woman's dignity.
International diplomat and UNESCO Artist for Peace, Guila Clara Kessous, is a committed advocate for human rights and women’s empowerment across the globe. Her extensive experience advising governments as a special consultant, her membership in the prestigious Coach50 network, and her expertise in institutional and corporate consulting have led her to develop a unique approach called "diplomatic entrepreneurship." This approach transcends politics, focusing on a civil, interdisciplinary, and engaged form of diplomacy.
Join us in meeting this remarkable spirit and be inspired by this role model, fighting for a fairer and safer world for all.
How did your interest in women’s rights begin?
My interest in women's rights began when I first encountered the profound suffering of women in Congo who had been sexually abused. I realized that these women not only bore the trauma of being raped but also faced the devastating rejection from their own families. As an art therapist and executive coach, I observed significant challenges for women in building resilience, whether in humanitarian efforts, business, or diplomacy. I started my career as an actress, driven by a passion for drama therapy to support victims of post-traumatic stress. Later, I pursued a doctorate at Boston University under Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel, focusing on how drama therapy could aid genocide survivors. After completing my PhD, I was drawn to Rwanda, Sarajevo, and Congo, where I deepened my understanding of conflict and healing. This journey led to an invitation from Harvard University to teach a course on 'Theatre and Human Rights' at the Kennedy School, where I was also trained as an executive coach. Today, I divide my time between executive coaching for both private sectors (C-suite, Fortune 100 companies) and public sectors (Ambassadors, Ministers), while also fulfilling my humanitarian responsibilities as a UNESCO Artist for Peace, where my focus remains on advancing women's rights.
What does the title 'UNESCO Artist for Peace' mean, and why are women's rights so crucial in a time when wars still persist?
We only need to look at the numbers to understand the magnitude of the issue. Globally, 1 in 5 girls is married before reaching adulthood, with many of these marriages being forced, particularly in regions where gender inequality and cultural practices remain entrenched. This means approximately 12 million girls are married before the age of 18 each year. On average, women earn 20% less than men for the same work, and 132 million girls worldwide are out of school, often due to gender discrimination. Additionally, only 24 women have ever served as heads of state or government, representing less than 2% of world leaders. Women remain largely absent from international peace negotiations globally. While we don't want to fall into victimhood, these inequalities are a call to action. I became UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2012 upon the recommendation of my mentor, Elie Wiesel, to UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova. This title is part of the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors program. For more than five years, I have been organizing two international forums: 'Femina Vox' for International Women's Rights Day on March 8thand World Art Day on April 15th, both under the patronage of UNESCO and the World Health Organization. The rest of the year, I dedicate myself to grassroots work, offering executive coaching with creative methodologies for women's empowerment as part of the Coach50 circle, and engaging
in humanitarian missions, such as working with Rohingya women in Bangladesh through dramatherapy or supporting women at Panzi Hospital in Congo alongside Tatiana MukanireBandalire. Additionally, I created the podcast “Women on Board” to help women to be members of executive boards in collaboration with Harvard Business Review, and I founded the 'International Accords for Women in Diplomacy,' travelling extensively to foster a global network of women committed to this cause.
Could you explain what 'feminist diplomacy' is and how it impacts our global reality?
First and foremost, what we call 'Feminist Diplomacy' is an inclusive approach, meaning it does not exclude men from the process. On the contrary, at UNESCO, the 'Transforming MEN’talities' program is designed to highlight how men can be valuable allies in the fight for equality. Feminist diplomacy focuses on four key areas: combating sexual and sexist violence, ensuring education for all, promoting the economic emancipation of women, and increasing women’s participation in politics, decision-making, and peace negotiations. This concept of 'Feminist Diplomacy' is incredibly important, as women and girls make up half of the world’s population and hold immense potential. Investing in women and girls benefits economies, societies, diplomacy, and our future.
On March 5th, UNESCO will celebrate the FeminaVox International Forum. Could you explain what this forum, which you have created and directed for the past five years, is all about?
I founded the Femina Vox International Forum five years ago to amplify the voices of women worldwide. The event has received the high patronage of UNESCO for the past four years and will take place at UNESCO in March 5th this year. My goal was to create a global platform where women from all sectors of society could share their struggles, successes, and aspirations in a safe environment. Over the years, many dedicated leaders have joined, offering their experiences and proposing concrete solutions to drive change. Notable participants include Nobel laureates Dr. Denis Mukwege and Dr. Shirin Ebadi, iconic activists like Eve Ensler, fashion philanthropist Diane von Furstenberg, renowned artists, ministers, and royals such as Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, as well as First Ladies and acclaimed actresses like the First Ladies of Iceland, Greece, and Guyana, and Claudia Cardinale. Most importantly, the forum has been a space for those on the ground—individuals working tirelessly across all five continents to create tangible change. Since its inception, the Femina Vox International Forum has hosted over 150 speakers, all sharing concrete initiatives to promote women’s rights in 112 countries, actively contributing to the global movement for gender equality.
In a world grappling with multiple crises that are placing immense strain on communities, achieving gender equality is more crucial than ever. What insights can you share with us on this?
It is crucial because in the battle for gender equality, we are often fighting the wrong enemy. Men and women are not rivals; they are complementary. Access to equal rights for women is not a privilege—it is a fundamental human right that all women should have, not as women, but as human beings. Amplifying women's voices in the fight for equality is a battle that can only be won together, with both men and women standing side by side to build a better future. This was my goal when creating the Femina Vox International Forum: to ensure we hear not only the voices of women but also those of men who proudly stand with us in this pursuit. We also tend to use military language when discussing women's rights. We must shift this narrative and use a language of peace if we truly wish to end gender violence. But this will only happen when we become fully aware of our own gender biases.
I believe that achieving equality today is like attempting to climb a rope— a challenging and risky endeavour that requires inner strength, education, strong support, immediate action, and a personal belief in bringing this vision to the heart of society. Do you feel the same way?
I completely feel that way… To truly embody this experience, I physically trained to climb a rope, much like how women metaphorically 'climb' to elevate themselves and gain access to equality. It's painful, especially when barefoot, as you have to rely on your 'foundations.' For women, these foundations could be their support systems, whether from family or their professional environment, providing the strength to extend their arms and look upwards towards our goals. This intensely physical exercise is a powerful metaphor, as it teaches you where to find support within your body and how to push beyond what you thought was possible, as long as you have mental strength. As you so beautifully put it: inner strength, education, immediate actions—these are all crucial supports, but you also need a long-term vision for society. You have to look up, to see how much of the rope you’ve climbed, without being paralyzed by fear—the impostor syndrome that often affects women.
The year 2025 is a pivotal moment in the global pursuit of gender equality and women’s empowerment, marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. We would love to hear more about it.
in 1995, in Beijing, the international community adopted the UN Declaration and Platform for Action on women’s rights, which remains the most progressive and widely endorsed blueprint for the rights of women and girls worldwide. This platform continues to guide policies, programs, and investments in critical areas such as education, health, peace, media, political participation, economic empowerment, and the elimination of violence against women and girls. At the International Forum Femina Vox on March 5th,
we will have the privilege of hosting two exceptional women from China: Mrs. Wang Yanping, an active member of the 1995 Beijing Women’s Conference, and Mrs. Wang Xiangxian, an executive committee member of the Ninth National Women’s Congress. Both will share insights on the legacy of the Beijing Declaration, highlighting its positive impact on today’s reality.
Especially in these challenging times, you speak of 'commercial diplomacy.' In the context of what you refer to as 'diplomatic entrepreneurship,' it’s not just about promoting a country's diplomatic influence or investments but also about exploring many more ethical possibilities. Could you share your vision on this?
Having worked extensively as an executive coach for businesses, I realized that companies have a crucial role to play in diplomacy and in building peace. The goal is not to promote a country’s diplomatic influence for profit, but to help diplomatically pacify relationships. Take, for example, large corporations with multiple branches in conflict zones—these companies can provide a framework for coexistence, as they have the unique ability to bring people together beyond political divides. These firms are living examples that, when we make the effort to truly know and work with one another, the ideological brainwashing that seeks to trap people in stereotypes can be overcome. This is why I firmly believe in the concept of 'diplomatic entrepreneurship,' a term I coined to explain how individuals or institutions can refuse to be caught in the crossfire of political narratives. Diplomatic entrepreneurship becomes a powerful tool for protecting citizens, freeing them from political narratives that cast other states as 'the enemy.' It is both an individual and collective journey, one that, through action, allows people to shape a new humanity focused on tolerance and coexistence
Throughout your career, you've collaborated with many renowned artists, designers, and brands to create partnerships that raise funds for charity as a UNESCO Artist for Peace. Among these collaborations are prestigious fashion and luxury brands such as Valentino, Cartier, and Jean Paul Gaultier…
indeed, fashion and luxury are for me two important vectors because of their capacity of opening minds onto an imaginative world. Outside of rationality, both are dealing with our capacity to dream to touch us emotionally speaking. I had the chance to do artistic collaborations (coolabs) with Cartier as Artistic Director of ancient jewellery collections, with Jean Paul Gaultieras Creative Designer, with “Le Tanneur” as Guest Designer, with Claudie Pierlot as Artist in Residence, with Valentino as Muse, ….I would love to work with a brand like Chopard whom CEO is such a brave woman dedicated to women’s rights. Collaborating with those brands is for me a real pleasure because it is challenging from a creative point of view and my condition is always to be sure to have a part of the profit that goes to a charity. For “beauté” to rhyme with “bonté” as we say in French.
You have been chosen as a muse by the famous French Printemps fashion store for the fashion show that will happen in Paris on March 4th during the Fashion Week for International Women's Rights Day, ow did this opportunity come about
I was contacted by the team of “Parole Paris” which isaligned closely with the values I champion through the Femina Vox International Forum. They proposed a creative partnership with the French fashion brand Printemps, collaborating with their Paris store. The project involved a photoshoot that symbolized the pursuit of peace for women, featuring a live dove on set. This culminated in my role as a muse on the runway during Paris Fashion Week for International Women's Rights Day, held on the prestigious 7th floor of the Printemps store in Paris, often referred to as 'the 7th Heaven.' The resulting images are deeply poetic, serving as a tribute to both the fragility and strength of women.
A mother truly understands the essence of pain when she has to send her child to war, loses her child, or supports the children of others who have been raped or abused during conflicts. You organized a powerful segment on 'Mothers Who Change the World,' featuring the musical piece 'Prayer of the Mothers.' We would love to be inspired by this vision.
I have been very moved by the initiative of Women Wage Peace and Women of the Sun who represent Israeli and Palestinian mothers marching together for peace. The last march they organized happened on October 5th, 2024 and then October 7th arrived with all the atrocities that we know. I decided to contact Yael Deckelbaum, this extraordinary singer who invented the song “Prayer of the Mothers” who was the hymn of those Mothers of Peace. I invited her to perform together with me at the United Nations in Geneva the song “Prayer of the Mothers”. It was an amazing moment to share and the diplomats who were present in the auditorium of the United Nations in Geneva were all standing clapping hands. Initiatives like this are extremely important to promote the understanding mothers can give to the world especially when it comes to protect children and babies from war.
Could you tell us more about the International Accords for Women in Diplomacy that you created? Many dignitaries have signed these accords, including the First Lady of Serbia, Tamara Vutsic, the First Lady of Iceland, the Queen of Congo, and the Minister of Sports and Youth of Egypt. We'd love to hear more about it.
The inception of these accords began with a conversation I had with the Ambassadress of the UAE, whom I was coaching. I expressed my frustration at not understanding why women were so often excluded from peace processes. For example, in the Abraham Accords, while he (Abraham) is seen as the father, he couldn’t have a descendant without his wives. This led me to create the 'Sarah and Hajar Accords,' a feminine version of the Abraham Accords, inviting women from the governments of Morocco, the UAE, Israel, and Bahrain to sign, with the aim of promoting women’s rights in the Middle East,
particularly in ensuring greater visibility for women in diplomatic negotiations.These accords, which the press has referred to as 'historic,' were signed on April 23, 2023, and were sponsored by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Shirin Ebadi, the first Muslim woman to receive this honor. After the tragic events of October 7th, working with feminist diplomacy in the region became extremely challenging, prompting me to create the International Accords for Women in Diplomacy, alongside the African Accords for Women in Diplomacy.The goal of these accords is to advance women’s rights and ensure more women are included in international negotiations. I was honored to have many high-profile women sign these accords, supporting the concept of parallel diplomacy. This initiative invites women not only from government sectors but also from business, social, cultural, and artistic fields, recognizing that they all have a role to play in this 'diplomatic entrepreneurship' movement
You've collaborated with many First Ladies around the world, including the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Dame Jacinda Ardern, and presidents such as Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania. Could you share your experience working with these influential dignitaries?
The first iconic woman I had the privilege of meeting was Simone Veil, whom I had the honor of connecting with through my mentor, Elie Wiesel. She was an incredible person who always encouraged my efforts to promote peace through civil initiatives. Then there was Eve Ensler, the playwright of The Vagina Monologues, whose creation of 'The City of Joy'—a refuge for Congolese women who could not return home due to the shame of being raped—deeply inspired me. I also had the opportunity to collaborate with 'Amma', the Indian Hindu spiritual leader who has embraced more than 40 million people throughout her life and has listened to more of the world’s poor than anyone else alive today.I’ve been fortunate to meet and work alongside exceptional women who have been true inspirations, such as Christine Lagarde, the first woman to head the European Central Bank; Claudia Goldin, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate in Economics from Harvard University; Princess Charlene of Monaco for her dedication to helping women through sports; and Tosca Musk, who is promoting women’s autonomy through her project Passionflix.
The First Ladies you mention are particularly impressive because of the daily challenges they face in political power. For example, I admired Dame Jacinda Ardern’sbravery when she decided to step down, acknowledging she was no longer the 'right person' for the role. As for the President of Tanzania, she is the only female head of government in Africa, which means she must make decisions with incredible care to avoid any gender biases that could be perceived by the public. To me, she is a true role model. Reflecting
on all this, I realize how privileged I am to have met such outstanding women, whether through diplomacy or activism."
I heard you are also writing a book about “Diplomatic Entrepreneurship”. It bridges civil diplomacy, which fosters societal change driven by citizens, with entrepreneurship, as defined in economic terms. Would you like to tell us more about it?
With great pleasure. Just as entrepreneurial initiatives in business seek to disrupt and create innovation that generates value, 'Diplomatic Entrepreneurship' nurtures the emergence of civil initiatives—ones that generate human values, independent of economic gain. The aim is to dismantle barriers and foster connections, which form the foundation of diplomacy. A striking example of this is sports diplomacy: the ping-pong exchanges between the United States and China in the 1970s helped pave the way for renewed Sino-American relations. This ultimately led to U.S. President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China in 1972—an unthinkable political event without this act of diplomatic entrepreneurship. My book will encourage individuals to reflect on their ability to structure impactful actions, keeping them connected to humanity while shaping the world through meaningful relationships. Diplomatic Entrepreneurship offers a personal approach that empowers civil society to take action, fostering a more inclusive, multilateral way of living together.
Finally, what would you say is the most important aspect of your vision for women's rights?
I believe the most important aspect of my vision is advocating for gender quotas at the tables of international diplomatic negotiations through the International Accords of Women in Diplomacy. As long as women are not systematically included in peacebuilding negotiations, half of the population will be excluded from shaping the future of society. As Christine Lagarde, the first woman to head the European Central Bank, stated: 'When women are part of the decision-making process, especially in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, the outcomes are more balanced, equitable, and sustainable.' Ultimately, the inclusion of women in international peacebuilding negotiations should not need justification, as women's rights should finally be recognized as human rights.
Join the incredible free event FEMINA VOX at UNESCO!
Register now: www.feminavoxforum.com
CREDITS
Photography: Greg Alexander @gregalexanderofficial
Production: Mephistopheles Productions @mephistophelesproductions
Art director: Sébastien Vienne @sebastienvienne
Interview: Ada Iliopoulou @adalesoleil30
Styling: Kahina Melchane @kahina_melchane
Makeup: Carine Larchet @carineparisparis
Hair: Isabelle Luzet @isabelleluzetparis
Dresses by: Lena Erziak Couture @lena_erziak & Inclover @inclover.brand & Claudie Pierlot @claudiepierlot & Valentino @maisonvalentino
