In a world where conflict and instability are becoming a new reality, the role of women in peacebuilding processes remains underestimated. The UN Women, Peace and Security Report 2024 paints a disturbing picture — women’s rights, won through decades of struggle, are under threat from outbreaks of violence, increased military spending and political repression. The presence of women in peace negotiations, their protection in conflict zones and equality in peacekeeping missions require immediate attention. Despite these challenges, women’s contributions are key to achieving sustainable peace and security, and only a comprehensive approach can make a difference.
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Threats to women’s rights: deterioration of the situation in conflict
The report highlights that there is an increase in armed conflict around the world, which has a particularly negative impact on women and girls. The number of women and girls living near war zones has increased by 150% over the past decade. In times of war, their rights become more vulnerable, and they are more likely to experience violence, including sexual violence and coercive practices such as early and forced marriage.
The report pays particular attention to the restrictions imposed in various countries, such as Afghanistan, where women’s and girls’ rights to education, work, and freedom of movement have been almost completely abolished. Restrictions in Afghanistan are among the most severe, with women and girls over the age of 12 not allowed to attend school and humanitarian organisations facing a ban on employing women, creating a critical obstacle to aid delivery.
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Women’s participation in peacebuilding processes: under-representation
The issue of women’s participation in peacebuilding processes remains relevant, as their presence is insufficient. According to the UN, in 2023, women accounted for only 9.6% of the total number of negotiators involved in peace talks, 13.7% of mediators, and only 26.6% of those who signed peace agreements. This means that women’s voices are not taken into account when addressing security issues, and their specific needs are not addressed.
There are few examples of countries that actively involve women in peacebuilding processes. In Colombia, where the government and the opposition reached a peace agreement, women made up 50% of the state delegation. However, even there, women’s participation in key decisions on peace is rare. A UN report indicates that countries that have implemented national action plans on women, peace, and security are more likely to involve women as mediators, which contributes to more effective peacebuilding outcomes.
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Gender equality in UN peacekeeping missions
Gender equality among peacekeeping personnel is an important UN priority. For example, in the Central African Republic, the proportion of women in UN patrols increased to 46% in 2023, which contributed to greater trust from local communities and a better understanding of their needs. This is particularly significant for protecting local women from violence and for strengthening social cohesion in conflict-affected areas.
At the same time, the report notes that, on average, women make up only 7 per cent of military personnel in peacekeeping missions, and their share among infrastructure workers is even lower. This calls for increased efforts to engage women in peacekeeping missions, which also includes improving working conditions, such as gender-sensitive accommodation and basic needs.
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Protecting the rights of women and girls in conflict zones
The report pays special attention to the increase in sexual violence in conflict zones, which has a catastrophic impact on women and girls. In particular, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, more than 123,000 cases of gender-based violence were recorded in 2023. Women in refugee camps in many conflict regions are forced to engage in so-called “survival sex” to obtain basic goods, which highlights women’s vulnerability and defencelessness.
The report also raises the issue of food security: women in conflict zones are more likely than men to suffer from food insecurity. For example, in Syria, more than 90 per cent of women and girls in refugee camps are unable to meet their families’ basic needs. In addition, women are often forced to forgo food in favour of their children, which increases the level of hunger among women.
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Arms control and disarmament
The annual increase in military spending, which reached a record $2.44 trillion in 2023, negatively affects the ability to invest in gender equality and sustainable development. At the same time, the availability of light weapons and ammunition in conflict zones is a factor that exacerbates violence against women and girls. The UN calls for stronger arms control measures, including increased attention to the risks of gender-based violence in decision-making on arms transfers.
Attention is also drawn to the need to strengthen the gender component in disarmament and reintegration programmes, as only 11 out of 128 disarmament agreements took into account the needs of women. An example of a positive experience is Cameroon, where a gender-sensitive disarmament and reintegration strategy is being implemented with the support of local women’s organisations.
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Political representation of women in conflict zones
In many conflict-affected countries, women’s political representation remains low. According to the latest data, only 23% of ministers are women, with even lower proportions in the ministries of defence (3%) and foreign affairs (14%). The report notes that countries with quotas for women’s political representation, particularly in parliaments, show higher levels of women’s political participation. This also applies to local governments: countries with gender quotas have an average of 22% women among local officials.
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Conclusions and recommendations
The UN report highlights the need to accelerate the implementation of measures that will promote women’s inclusion in peacebuilding processes, protect their rights and empower them. The Secretary-General recommends that Member States increase funding for gender equality and women, peace and security programmes, and provide sustainable support to local women’s organisations that play a key role in peacekeeping and protecting women’s rights.
Only a comprehensive approach that combines the efforts of governments, international organisations and civil society will be able to achieve significant changes in the protection of women’s rights in conflict zones and contribute to sustainable peace.
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