June 2017: The African Union Commission and UN Women launch the African Women Leaders Network. Credit: UN Photo/Kim Haughton
Women and girls bear the brunt of violent conflicts. In 2022, more than of them lived in conflict-affected countries, a 50 per cent increase since 2017. That same year, the United Nations verified nearly of conflict-related sexual violence and the killing of over 30, figures that are likely a fraction of the real numbers.
Despite such worrying trends, peace processes and negotiations still involve very few female mediators and/or signatories, and often overlook provisions to protect and include women and girls. In 2023, only contained gender-sensitive measures. Just one was signed by a women’s organization.
October 2023, Women and children at the Al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. Credit: UN Women/Samar Abu Elouf
Learn more about of the impact of the war in Gaza on women and girls.
In 2025, the United Nations will mark the 25th anniversary of the landmark Security Council on . It made commitments to better protecting women and girls during conflicts and supported their leadership and unique roles in peace processes.
These issues are more important than ever as conflicts and crises multiply across the world. Women’s rights must be upheld; their value as agents of peace must be fully recognized. As diplomats negotiating treaties, activists advocating for justice and educators fostering empathy,
women make contributions that are the building blocks of peaceful societies.
Advocates for peace
September 2011, Women leaders mark Democracy Day celebrations organized by UN Women and the Institute of Social Studies to recognize the work of elected women representatives in India. Credit: UN Women/Ganganjit Singh
In 2015, of 40 peace processes since the end of the Cold War showed that where women had a strong influence, the chance of agreement was much higher. Yet despite some historic firsts for gender equality since the adoption of resolution 1325, the composition of peace tables has changed little. Impunity among those who commit sexual violence and other atrocities against women and girls continues to be widespread.
Women represented only of conflict party delegations in UN-led or co-led peace processes in 2022, down from 19 per cent in 2021 and 23 per cent in 2020.
The representation of women in government leadership roles has improved in recent years compared to a decade ago. But the numbers are still far below parity. According to , a staggering 113 countries worldwide have never had a woman serve as a Head of State or Government and only 26 countries are led by a women as of today. At the current rate, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 180 years.
Changing mindsets and dismantling age-old gender stereotypes remain key to progress. A recent showed that 58 per cent of young men aged 16 to 19 still believed that men make political leaders than women.
Champions of human rights
Irlanda Pop is the Mayor of Lanquín, Guatemala. Pop has survived political attacks and continues to fight discrimination on account of her gender and indigenous identity.?Credit: UN Women/Ryan Brown
Read about .
Standing on the front lines of today’s multiple converging crises, women human rights defenders bravely and tirelessly make essential contributions to local, regional and global peace and security initiatives.
“They do this loudly and quietly, on the streets and in their homes, pushing against the weight of centuries of discrimination, disrespect and violence,” says a on their indispensable yet sometimes invisible role.
Women human rights defenders support civilian populations, document human rights violations, and make space for women to participate in public life. Despite some advances since the adoption of resolution 1325 to improve women’s role in peace efforts, progress on protecting women human rights defenders has been slow, putting their safety and lives at risk.
Many face physical and sexual attacks, stigmatization, criminal charges, smear campaigns, threats and harassment. From May 2021 to April 2022, 172 women human rights defenders and civil society organizations faced simply for cooperating with the United Nations.
“Women human rights defenders who work in conflict, post-conflict and crisis-affected settings do so in the often hyper-masculinized context of war. It is in that context that their work is even more necessary,” adds the report.
From Guerilla Fighters to 探花精选builders
In 2016, the Colombian Government and the FARC-EP guerilla movement signed a peace agreement that ended the longest war in Latin America. More than 9 million people were registered as victims – over half were women.
The agreement, influenced by resolution 1325, included about , including one that considered any act of gender-based violence committed by either party to the conflict as a ceasefire violation.
The UN Women documentary, From Guerilla Fighters to 探花精选builders, looks at the significant role former FARC women fighters played in the country’s peace and reconciliation process.