UN Chief Urges Greater Role for Women in Global Peace Processes

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged the international community to strengthen efforts to advance the women, peace and security agenda, emphasizing the importance of women's involvement in peace building and security initiatives.

Antonio said women's participation in peace and security is essential rather than symbolic. He highlighted that peace processes are more likely to achieve lasting results when women are meaningfully involved in negotiations and decision-making.

"Stability is more achievable when women have equal opportunity to shape the future of their communities. And societies are stronger and more resilient when women and girls can live free from fear and violence," he told a Security Council open debate on women, peace and security.

Key Highlights:

• Antonio calls for stronger efforts to advance the women, peace and security agenda
• Women represented only 5% of negotiators across 57 peace processes last year
• He urges stronger protection against gender-based violence and greater support for women peace builders

First, there is a need to deliver on the promise of the landmark Security Council Resolution on women, peace and security: women at every peacemaking table and their needs reflected in every peace agreement, he said.

Women represented just 5 percent of negotiators across 57 peace processes last year. And less than one-fifth of global peace agreements last year included at least one reference to women, girls, gender or sexual violence, he noted.

"Twenty-six years after Resolution 1325, this implementation gap is unacceptable. Durable peace must reflect the leadership, aspirations and contributions of all people, including (those) of women and girls," he said.

All peace processes, dialogues, ceasefires, and peace agreements must reflect the diverse needs of women and girls, without exception, he added.

They urge the inclusion of women's rights and gender organizations in conflict areas and those addressing forced displacement, particularly those that are targeted and vulnerable by women. I urge all States to fulfill their ODA pledges and immediately increase support for women and girls in conflict zones.

Third, we need to take action for zero tolerance for violence against women and girls - including for those women who are on the front lines of peace as peace builders, community organizers, human rights defenders and humanitarian workers.

"I call for full accountability for those responsible for any acts of violence against women and girls. The UN will continue doing our part, including by securing commitments to cease such acts, documenting violations and advocating for justice," he said. "And I renew my call for the lifting of all restrictions on women humanitarian workers -- and their full protection -- as they carry out their lifesaving work."

These three priorities are not the only ones where action is urgently needed. States must also work harder to strengthen accountability for gender-based violence; anchor commitments on women, peace, and security in domestic laws and policies; ensure women's economic security; step up support to women's organizations in conflict settings; and close information gaps through a gender data revolution, said Antonio.

Equality isn't a dream. It's a decision. The UN has been a stronger organization as a result of the UN decision on gender equality. The world must do the same when it comes to inclusion of women at the peacemaking table, across all political processes, budgets and policies, when it comes to standing up for the rights and bodily autonomy of women and girls in all situations, including in conflict, and when it comes to building the peace and security our world needs, he said.