At the annual Security Council debate on (WPS), the United Nations launched a new initiative to boost women's roles in peace processes.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, representing Secretary-General António Guterres, introduced the "," which urges countries and organizations to ensure women's meaningful inclusion in conflict mediation and peace agreements.
As the UN marks the 25th anniversary of the landmark next year, the Secretary-General has asked countries to report on their progress in fulfilling this crucial commitment to women's leadership.
Why do we need the Common Pledge?
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The persistent under-representation of women in peace processes is a stark reality. reveals that women constituted only 9.6 percent of negotiators, 13.7 percent of mediators, and 26.6 percent of signatories in over 50 peace processes analyzed in 2023.
This alarming trend is not new. Historical data shows that between 1992 and 2019, women made up a mere 13 percent of negotiators and 6 percent of mediators in major peace processes. Even when women's organizations are involved, a indicates they are often brought in too late to exert meaningful influence, hindering their ability to shape peace outcomes.
"Women remain starkly under-represented from peace negotiations and conflict resolution efforts," said Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed." As long as gendered power inequalities, patriarchal social structures, biases, violence, and discrimination hold back half our societies, peace will remain elusive."
This exclusion persists despite evidence that women's inclusion and gender-related provisions in peace processes not only advance gender equality but also contribute to more durable peace agreements.
The Secretary-General's report underscores that including more women in peace negotiations is not just about promoting gender equality; it's crucial for building sustainable peace. Greater inclusivity can increase support for the peace process, strengthen the push for agreements, ensure the integration of gender perspectives on security, justice, and recovery, and foster broader social acceptance of peace deals within communities affected by conflict.
, looking at progress on WPS, highlighted the crucial role of women mediators in ensuring the quality of women’s participation in peace talks. To address this, the UN continues to advocate for increased women’s participation.
In addition to the "Common Pledge for Women's Participation," the Secretary-General, in his report, calls on countries to match the UN’s commitment to achieving "an initial minimum target of one-third of participants in mediation and peace processes" being women, while aiming for parity.
Despite efforts to increase women's participation in peace processes led or co-led by the UN, women represented only 19 percent of mediators in 2023, largely due to the exclusion of women from some negotiating parties' delegations. However, women comprised 40 percent of staff in the UN mediation support teams during these processes. Moreover, women’s civil society organizations were consulted, and gender expertise was integrated.
"By leveraging our political capital and roles, we can dismantle the patriarchal power structures and advance gender equality, ensuring women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in political and public life," adds the Deputy Secretary-General.
Women and girls are enduring conflicts in all regions of the world, from Haiti to Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and beyond. Learn about the .