Peace processes are essential steps taken to resolve conflicts and establish lasting peace after wars or disputes. These processes typically involve negotiations among various groups, including governments, rebel factions, and community leaders. The goal is to create agreements that address the root causes of conflict and help rebuild societies. However, a significant issue is that women are often left out of these discussions.
Current State of Women’s Participation
1. Limited Representation:
– Despite making up about half of the population, women are frequently underrepresented in peace negotiations. In 2023, women constituted only 9.6% of negotiators, 13.7% of mediators, and 26.6% of signatories to peace agreements globally[5]. A study scanning 33 peace negotiations from 2008 found that only 4% of participants were women, with an average participation rate of 7% among government delegations[2].
2. Impact on Peace Agreements:
– When women are not included, peace agreements may miss important issues such as family welfare, education, and healthcare. Research indicates that peace agreements with female signatories have higher rates of implementation and last longer. Specifically, studies show that women’s participation increases the probability of a peace agreement lasting at least two years by 20% and by 35% for lasting at least five years[7].
3. Lack of Monitoring:
– Many peace processes lack strong monitoring systems to ensure that agreements are followed. Without these systems, it becomes difficult to hold parties accountable for their commitments, which can lead to renewed conflict.
Why Improvements Are Needed
1. Increased Women’s Participation:
– Including more women in peace negotiations can lead to better outcomes. Research shows a robust correlation between peace agreements signed by female delegates and durable peace. Between 1990 and 2014, only 13 out of 130 peace agreements were signed by women, yet those agreements had a significantly higher number of provisions aimed at political reform and better implementation rates[1][4].
2. Flexibility in Negotiations:
– Peace processes should be adaptable to changing circumstances. Rigid frameworks can stifle constructive dialogue and make it harder to reach agreements that work for everyone involved.
3. Stronger Monitoring Systems:
– Establishing independent organizations to monitor peace agreements can enhance accountability and ensure that all parties adhere to their commitments. This builds trust among those involved and supports long-term peace.
4. Changing Gender Norms:
– Efforts should focus on challenging societal norms that prevent women from participating in peace processes. Education and community engagement can promote gender equality and create a more inclusive environment for negotiations.
Benefits of Gender-Inclusive Peace Processes
– Diverse Perspectives: Including women ensures that a wider range of experiences and viewpoints are considered, leading to more holistic solutions.
– Sustainability: Peace agreements that incorporate women’s voices tend to be more durable, as they address the needs of the entire population.
– Social Cohesion: Women’s participation can enhance community trust and cooperation, fostering a more united approach to rebuilding after conflict.
Conclusion
In summary, while current peace processes aim to resolve conflicts, they often fail to include women’s voices and perspectives. By improving women’s participation, creating flexible negotiation frameworks, strengthening monitoring systems, and addressing gender norms, we can make peace processes more effective and representative of all community members. This will lead to more lasting solutions and a stronger foundation for peace, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.
Read More
[1] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03050629.2018.1492386
[2] https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/Library/Publications/2012/10/WPSsourcebook-03A-WomenPeaceNegotiations-en.pdf
[3] https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/power-over-presence-womens-representation-in-comprehensive-peace-negotiations-and-gender-provision-outcomes/BF6C310AB2A66AE34A8B0BCD75B75116
[4] https://pure.uva.nl/ws/files/26826416/Krause.pdf
[5] https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/peace-and-security/facts-and-figures
[6] https://unsdg.un.org/latest/stories/women-are-increasingly-risk-conflict-underrepresented-peace-processes-new-un
[7] https://wps.unwomen.org/participation/
[8] https://www.cfr.org/womens-participation-in-peace-processes/