The situation is now dire: in 2023, the number of women killed in armed conflict is expected to double from 2022. There has also been a 50 percent increase in sexual violence related to conflict and war, as confirmed by the United Nations.
Meanwhile, the amount of international aid committed to support gender equality has declined over the years. This highlights the lack of funding in programs for issues such as preventing gender-based violence during humanitarian emergencies.
These challenges have long been at the center of discussions at the United Nations. In the wake of this, the historic Resolution 1325 was adopted by the Security Council in 2000. The resolution recognizes the important contribution of women to conflict prevention and resolution.
Here are eight ways to implement this proposal:
1. Better attendance at peace talks
In 2023, in more than 50 peace processes around the world, only 9.6 percent of women participated. This number increased in UN-led or co-led peace processes, but only reached 19 percent.
The Secretary-General’s report calls on all parties to set an initial minimum target of one-third inclusion of women in peace negotiations, mediation and peace processes.
The ultimate goal is to increase women’s participation to achieve equality with men.
2. Repeal laws that violate human rights
Countries should repeal all discriminatory laws and policies that violate the human rights of women and girls, or lead to any form of gender-based discrimination. It also includes laws and policies that restrict their bodily autonomy.
Better laws and policies will be made possible through greater participation of women. An example is Sierra Leone, where child marriage was banned in 2024 as a result of increasing women’s parliamentary representation in 2023.
3. Increase decision-making power
Women should be included in decision-making in critical areas such as conflict resolution, humanitarian coordination, community security, access to justice, early warning and climate mitigation and adaptation.
Additionally, gender-based quotas can be used to encourage women’s empowerment.
According to the Secretary-General’s report, among the 45 conflict-affected countries that have legal gender-based quotas, women make up an average of 25 percent of parliamentarians, compared to just 25 percent without such a quota.
4. Those who violate rights must be held accountable
The country’s authorities should use their criminal justice system to pursue criminals against women at all levels of life.
This includes conflict-related sexual violence, reproductive violence or all forms of violence against women in political and public life, whether online or offline. Beyond national governance, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) can be instrumental in furthering the cause of gender justice.
5. Rights continue after the end of the UN mission
Every possible effort should be made to ensure that the gains made for women’s rights continue after the end of the UN mission.
In countries where UN peacekeeping and other multilateral operations are ongoing or have recently been completed, political and financial support to the parties concerned should be increased. It can ensure that gender-based issues are taken into account in their mandate, preparation, staffing availability, budgeting and reporting.
6. Peace and protection of political workers
Authorities should adopt a zero-tolerance approach to women’s political participation, human rights and humanitarian work, peace-building activities or cooperation with the United Nations system.
For example, women human rights activists who are at risk should be given stronger protection. One way to do this is to include consideration of gender-based violence in asylum cases.
7. Help survivors
Survivors of conflict-related sexual violence must have full access to sexual and reproductive care. Given the widespread use of sexual violence as a tactic in warfare, emergency care for pregnancies resulting from rape should also be included.
Of the 31 peace agreements signed in 2023, only eight (26%) included explicit references to women, girls, gender-based or sexual violence. This shows a slight decrease from last year’s 28 percent.
8. Make peace a priority
At a time when the world is facing record levels of armed conflict and violence, countries need to ensure that human and economic resources are spent on arms and military equipment as much as possible. Also, steps must be taken to accelerate disarmament.
These steps should include the adoption of gender-responsive laws to limit arms surrender, greater transparency in military spending, stronger arms embargoes, and arms sales.
In addition, steps should be taken to reduce the risk that legally sold weapons are used to perpetrate gender-based and conflict-related sexual violence.