Women were among the most severely affected population groups during the nine-year civil war in the Bougainville region and their voices were left out of the formal peace process, despite their role in ending the conflict. The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) passed the Bougainville National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security to address these issues and women are playing a key role as leaders in their communities, addressing issues such as women’s rights, trauma and gender-based violence. The Women’s Peace Building Initiatives Program advanced the priorities of the National Action Plan, with a focus on protection, participation and promotion.