UN Women Chief Highlights Fragility of Peace Efforts Without Women's Involvement
Nadia Petrov | AFP
The UN Women chief emphasized that global peace efforts falter when women are excluded, noting the highest armed conflict levels since the UN's inception.
The head of UN Women shared with the UN Security Council that global peace efforts are compromised when women are left out of decision-making processes. During the session, Sima Bahous highlighted that the world is contending with the highest number of armed conflicts since the United Nations was established.
Bahous addressed the Council, emphasizing that including women in security and peacekeeping roles enhances accountability and outcomes. She warned that excluding women leads to fragile peace efforts, ultimately undermining their seriousness.
Echoing over two decades of studies, Bahous stressed that peaceful nations correlate with the safety and involvement of women. She noted the connection between attitudes toward gender equality and the likelihood of political violence and extremism.
Efforts to Include Women in Peace Processes
Bahous pointed out the UN's progress in including women in peace processes, attaining 16% to 23% participation over the last five years. While this marks an improvement, it remains starkly below desired levels.
She noted a significant reduction in the number of UN-led peace processes, with only three conducted last year compared to fourteen fifteen years ago. According to Bahous, women are vanishing from these critical roles, which poses a looming regret for global peace efforts.
In regions like Lebanon, women peacebuilders contribute heavily to conflict responses, often without any economic support. Bahous highlighted a troubling trend of women being sidelined despite their crucial roles in peacebuilding.
A Global Perspective on Women and Conflict
Bahous referenced several global crises, including those in Afghanistan, Haiti, Myanmar, Lebanon, Palestine, Sudan, and Ukraine, pointing out that nearly a quarter of the global population lives amid continuous terror resulting from armed conflicts they did not instigate.
Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, who presided over the session, shared insights from her country's experiences, asserting that genuine peace is unachievable without the significant participation of women and younger demographics.
Villavicencio reinforced that over 50 ongoing armed conflicts have devastating impacts, disproportionately affecting women and children. Despite women being fundamental actors in achieving peace, their roles continue to be undermined and negotiated.
Integrating Gender Equity in Urban Governance
The discourse on women's roles in peace efforts offers city leaders a moment to reflect on gender equity within their jurisdictions. By fostering environments where women are integral to governance, cities can potentially mitigate conflict and promote social stability.
Urban policies focused on inclusivity can serve as a foundation for larger national and international efforts toward peace and security. Ensuring that women's voices are heard in decision-making not only strengthens municipal governance but may also contribute to broader geopolitical stability.
Municipal leaders should prioritize the creation of programs that involve women in public life, emphasizing their roles in maintaining peace and equity. By doing so, cities can lead efforts to challenge traditional power structures that often exclude women.
Questions That Matter
What did UN Women chief say about peace efforts?
UN Women chief Sima Bahous emphasized that peace efforts collapse without women's involvement, citing findings that women's participation improves peace processes' effectiveness. She warned of peace processes becoming fragile and less effective without women.
What percentage of women participate in UN-led processes?
In the past five years, the UN achieved between 16% and 23% women's participation in UN-led processes. Despite being double the global average, this figure is still viewed as too low by Sima Bahous.