Women and Girls Affected by Conflict: A Growing Crisis
The ongoing impact of armed conflict on women and girls has reached alarming proportions, with more than 600 million now affected, marking a 50% rise compared to ten years ago. Leaders from the United Nations have indicated that these individuals feel increasingly neglected, particularly in light of the intensifying backlash against women’s rights and efforts toward gender equality.
According to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, recent findings reveal that amid unprecedented levels of violence and armed conflict, advancements gained in women’s rights over recent decades are disappearing. He emphasized that the progress made is precarious and that “generational gains in women’s rights hang in the balance globally.” This assessment is part of a broader review of a Security Council resolution from October 31, 2000, which called for equal participatory roles for women in peace negotiations—an objective that remains unfulfilled.
Guterres expressed concern that the potential for women’s leadership and their crucial inclusion in peace processes is being stunted, with the authority over peace and security issues predominantly maintained by men. He warned, “As long as oppressive patriarchal social structures and gender biases hold back half our societies, peace will remain elusive.”
The report highlights stark statistics, noting a doubling of women killed in conflict zones in 2023 relative to the previous year, a 50% increase in verified incidents of conflict-related sexual violence, and a 35% rise in girls experiencing serious violations in war-torn regions.
During a two-day U.N. Security Council session that concluded recently, Sima Bahous, the executive director of UN Women, noted the persistent neglect of women’s voices in peace initiatives. She highlighted the desperate situations facing women and girls in various regions, including Afghanistan where educational opportunities have been stripped away; Gaza, where displaced women live in fear; and Sudan, where sexual violence is rampant. She also mentioned the bleak futures confronting women and girls in countries like Myanmar, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Yemen, among others.
Bahous stated that the staggering figure of 612 million women and girls caught in conflict raises pressing questions about whether they have been forgotten by a world overwhelmed by crises of increasing frequency and intensity. “One in two women and girls in conflict-affected areas are experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity, and 61% of all maternal deaths occur in just 35 countries affected by conflict,” she remarked, painting a grim picture of their reality.
Regarding women’s involvement in decision-making within conflicted regions, progress appears stagnant. Bahous pointed out that the involvement of women in peace negotiations has not seen improvement over the past decade, with women making up under 10% of participants in general, and less than 20% in U.N.-led initiatives.
In response to these challenges, U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed announced the establishment of a “Common Pledge on Women’s Participation in Peace Processes.” She urged governments and regional organizations to take meaningful measures to enhance women’s roles in mediation. This initiative advocates for the appointment of women as lead mediators, direct involvement of women in peace initiatives, and the inclusion of women with relevant expertise to ensure gender-responsive agreements.
Several U.N. representatives who addressed the council meeting resonated concerns about the lack of political determination to advance women’s participation in peace processes. Panama’s U.N. Ambassador Eloy Alfaro de Alba highlighted that insufficient political will hinders the full execution of commitments made by member states, underscoring the need for greater resolve in promoting women’s essential roles in achieving lasting peace.