Africa: Women’s Leadership Role in Peace and Security Issues ‘Going in Reverse’, UN Chief Warns

Africa: Women’s Leadership Role in Peace and Security Issues ‘Going in Reverse’, UN Chief Warns


More women must have a role in shaping peace agreements, security reforms and post-conflict recovery plans, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Monday.

Members met for their annual open debate on the women, peace and security agenda just ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Council’s landmark resolution 1325 (2000) on the issue.

As the Secretary-General noted, the resolution “gave voice to a simple truth: women’s leadership is central to just and lasting peace“, in addition to inspiring countless other resolutions, reports and roundtables.

World falling short


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“But let’s speak frankly,” he said. “Too often, we gather in rooms like this one – full of conviction and commitment – only to fall short when it comes to real change in the lives of women and girls caught in conflict.”

In a recent report, Mr. Guterres highlighted progress made over the past quarter century, which includes more than 100 countries adopting national action plans on women, peace and security.

“But gains are fragile and – very worryingly – going in reverse,” he warned.

“Around the globe, we see troubling trends in military spending, more armed conflicts, and more shocking brutality against women and girls.”

Conflict, sexual violence and harassment

Last year, some 676 million women worldwide lived within 50 kilometres of deadly conflict events – the highest number in decades, he said.

Sexual violence also surged, with a 35 per cent rise in incidents against girls. In some places, they accounted for nearly half of all victims.

Mr. Guterres highlighted how women in public life such as politicians, journalists and human rights defenders, are being targeted with violence and harassment, before turning to the situation in Afghanistan where “the systematic erasure of women and girls from public life is in overdrive”.

Additionally, women and girls in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Haiti, Myanmar and beyond, face grave risks and horrific levels of violence.

“And while women’s organizations remain lifelines for millions in crisis, they are being starved of resources,” he added, citing a recent survey by UN Women, which champions gender equality globally.