“Invest in women's and girls’ leadership and participation for peace” is the theme chosen by UN Human Rights for its celebration of International Women’s Day 2024. 

Women human rights defenders, peacebuilder and feminist movements around the world have powerfully led efforts to build peace. Yet at the tables of power that are making the final decisions impacting their lives, in the peace and reconciliation processes, the voices of women and girls remain marginal at best.

Women and girls leading peace and social transformation

Women and girls peacebuilders and women human rights defenders play critical roles before, during, and after conflicts.

As community organizers, women have important insights into subtle shifts that may indicate an escalation of violence in communities. When the voices of women are silenced or ignored, early warning signs of conflict may be overlooked. During a conflict, women human rights defenders document attacks and violations. They assist victims and their families and communities, identify the needs of women and marginalized groups, and much more. They are on the front lines of the humanitarian response.

War, violent conflict, and violent extremism have disproportionate and devastating consequences for women and girls, misogyny and centuries of male domination being a common thread.

In 2022, the number of women and girls living in conflict-affected countries reached 614 million, 50 per cent higher than five years prior. In such situations, thousands of women and girls are being deliberately targeted in warzones, by rape or sexual violence. 

Although they continue to face barriers in participating in peace and political processes as a result of persistent gender-based discrimination, courageous women and girls human rights defenders and peacebuilders continue to be at the forefront of efforts to build peace and spur social transformation.

The world needs more women and girls to lead

Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) recognizes the essential role of women in maintaining international peace and security. It requires parties in a conflict to systematically prevent violations of their rights, to support their participation in peace negotiations and reconstruction, and to protect them from wartime sexual violence.

Almost a quarter of a century on, women and girls human rights defenders and peacebuilders – and their families – are increasingly being subjected to threats and attacks, in a widespread growing resistance and pushback against gender equality and human rights.

Further, despite being involved in activities that call for broader change, the voices of women and girls remain severely underrepresented in public life. They are disproportionately excluded from meaningful participation and consultations on critical decisions that affect their lives, including in peace and reconciliation processes. However, evidence shows that their leadership and participation in governments are crucial to rebuild peace and foster sustainable development.

Enduring peace will only be built with women at the table. Decisions on peace that do not reflect their realities and demands are not sustainable. In situations of conflict, as in peacetime, securing women's rights means securing human rights for all.

Key women participation figures

• Of 18 peace agreements reached in 2022, only one was signed or witnessed by a representative of a women’s group or organization.
• 54 percent of countries still lack laws in all key areas of gender equality (including on equal rights to enter marriage and initiate a divorce).
• As of July 2023, women were Heads of State or Government in 27 countries. The global proportion of women in parliaments has reached 26.5 per cent.
• The proportion of women in national parliaments in conflict-affected countries is at 23 per cent. Women’s representation in local government is higher than at the national level, with women holding 35.5 per cent of elected seats in local deliberative bodies worldwide and 24.5 per cent of those seats in conflict-affected countries.
• At the current rate, it will take 130 years to achieve inclusive governance. Moreover, on current trends, with an annual increase of only 0.52 percent, gender parity in ministerial positions will not be achieved until 2077.
• In national parliaments, despite the constant efforts, including by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), only just over 26 percent of all national parliamentarians are women, an increase of only 11 percent from 1995.