Key Points:
- UN Call: Include more women in peacebuilding for lasting peace.
- Challenge: Women are still underrepresented; violence persists.
- Action: Push for gender quotas and stronger justice systems.
The United Nations Secretary-General has called for urgent action to increase Women in Peacebuilding and conflict resolution, describing their involvement as essential for achieving lasting peace and reducing sexual violence in war zones.
Speaking ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child, he emphasised that women are often the most affected by the devastating impacts of war—displacement, exploitation, and sexual violence—yet remain underrepresented in negotiations that determine the future of their countries.
He stated that empowering Women in Peacebuilding is not an act of charity but a strategic necessity. Studies have shown that when women are included in peace processes, agreements are more likely to endure and communities recover faster. The Secretary-General reiterated that women should not just be seen as victims of conflict but as active agents capable of driving reconciliation, rebuilding governance, and ensuring justice.
Persistent Gaps in Representation and Protection
Despite widespread acknowledgement of Women in Peacebuilding, their presence remains limited. Women still constitute a small fraction of mediators, negotiators, and signatories in most peace talks worldwide. Structural barriers, entrenched gender bias, and security risks continue to prevent them from assuming leadership roles in conflict resolution.
The UN chief also highlighted the alarming rise of sexual violence in conflict zones, warning that such atrocities are being weaponised to terrorise populations and destabilise societies. Many survivors face lifelong trauma, while justice systems often fail to prosecute perpetrators effectively.
He urged governments and international bodies to close the gap between rhetoric and reality by implementing stronger legal frameworks and ensuring accountability for crimes committed against women and girls during armed conflict.
Equally troubling, many peace agreements continue to overlook gender perspectives. Provisions for reparations, rehabilitation, and survivor protection are either weak or missing entirely. Experts warn that ignoring these issues undermines reconciliation and increases the likelihood of renewed violence.
A Global Call for Gender-Inclusive Peace
The Secretary-General’s appeal comes as part of a broader push to embed gender equality in all stages of conflict prevention and resolution. He called on nations and peace facilitators to set mandatory gender quotas for mediators and negotiators, ensure survivor representation in justice processes, and increase funding for women-led civil society groups.
He also urged the integration of gender expertise into peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction, ensuring that women’s voices influence decisions on security, governance, and economic recovery.
Women’s rights organisations worldwide have welcomed the renewed focus, calling it both urgent and overdue. Activists argue that inclusive peacebuilding is not merely about representation but about transforming systems that have long ignored women’s experiences and contributions.
Analysts believe the message signals a pragmatic shift in how the UN approaches gender and conflict—recognising that peace without women’s leadership is fragile and incomplete. With ongoing crises in regions like Sudan, Yemen, and Ukraine, the push for inclusive peace could redefine how the world rebuilds after war.
As the International Day of the Girl Child approaches, the UN’s message is unmistakable: lasting peace depends on justice, and justice demands the equal participation of Women in Peacebuilding at every table where the future is negotiated.
