UN Women Calls for Stronger Measures to Ensure Women's Active Participation in Peace Negotiations

Strategic Insights -

As the international community marks decades of commitments to equality, women remain vastly underrepresented in high-level peace processes, according to the United Nations Women. Despite the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000, women continue to be excluded from key decision-making roles, with only 7% of negotiators and 20% of signatories being women in 2024.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Women's WPS-HA Compact Lead, Harriette Williams Bright, emphasized the importance of women's active participation in peace negotiations, citing the lack of representation as a major challenge.
  • In 2024, only 7% of negotiators and 20% of signatories in peace processes were women, despite decades of global commitments to equality.
  • United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, adopted in 2000, demands equal participation of women and men in peace and security matters as outlined in the UN Charter.
  • Since the adoption of Resolution 1325, its goals have been translated into 115 national action plans and numerous local initiatives aimed at strengthening women's roles in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
  • Investing in women peace builders is said to contribute to long-term peace, with women's inclusion helping ensure community engagement and cultural sensitivity in mission areas.
  • The success of gender parity initiatives in peace support operations highlights the importance of meaningful inclusion of women in peace processes.

Statistics:

  • 7% of negotiators in peace processes were women in 2024.
  • 20% of signatories in peace processes were women in 2024.
  • 115 national action plans have been developed since the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.
  • Women's inclusion helps ensure community engagement and cultural sensitivity in mission areas.

Sources:

  • UN Women
  • United Nations (Security Council Resolution 1325)
  • Ethiopian News Agency (31 October 2025)