it.euronews.com
Insufficient Women in Conflict Resolution Hinders Peace Efforts
NATO's Special Representative for Women, Peace, and Security, Irene Fellin, highlighted the insufficient participation of women in global conflict resolution, noting that in 2022, women only constituted 16 percent of UN-led peace negotiators, a 7 percent decrease since 2020, and that the lack of female participation leads to neglecting certain issues. This comes despite research indicating that women's involvement improves the sustainability and implementation of peace agreements.
- What are the immediate consequences of insufficient female participation in conflict resolution and peace negotiations?
- The underrepresentation of women in global conflict resolution, particularly in peace negotiations, significantly hinders the consideration of crucial issues. In 2022, women comprised only 16 percent of UN-led peace negotiators, a 7-percentage-point decrease from 2020. This lack of female participation leads to incomplete discussions and less effective outcomes, according to NATO's Special Representative for Women, Peace, and Security, Irene Fellin.
- How does the underrepresentation of women in peace processes affect the long-term success and implementation of peace agreements?
- Research consistently demonstrates that the inclusion of women in peace processes results in more sustainable and effectively implemented agreements. Fellin highlights that women bring a holistic perspective, impacting areas like mine clearance (prioritizing children's play areas versus main roads) and access to essential resources like healthcare, food, and child protection. The absence of diverse viewpoints weakens conflict resolution efforts.
- What systemic changes are needed during peacetime to ensure greater female involvement in diplomacy and conflict resolution, and what are the potential future impacts of such changes?
- The scarcity of women in high-level diplomatic roles, even within the EU (only five out of 27 member states have female foreign ministers), is a systemic barrier that needs to be addressed during peacetime to foster change. While wartime may create opportunities for women to take on new responsibilities, lasting progress requires proactive measures to build capacity and shift mindsets promoting gender equality in decision-making processes. Ukraine's efforts to address conflict-related sexual violence are cited as a positive example.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the issue as a significant problem, highlighting the underrepresentation of women in conflict resolution and its negative consequences. The use of statistics and expert quotes reinforces this framing. However, this framing, while accurate, might inadvertently downplay the efforts already undertaken to improve women's participation.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the lack of women in conflict resolution, but it could benefit from including data on the representation of women in other relevant fields, such as humanitarian aid or peacekeeping operations. Additionally, while the Ukrainian conflict is highlighted, mentioning similar situations in other conflicts could provide a broader perspective.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the underrepresentation of women in conflict resolution, peace negotiations, and military leadership roles. This lack of inclusivity hinders the effectiveness of peace processes and perpetuates gender inequality. The data points to a significant gender gap in peace negotiations (only 16% women in 2022), and even within militaries, women lack proper equipment, impacting their effectiveness and safety. The article emphasizes that equal participation leads to more sustainable and effective outcomes. This directly contradicts SDG 5, which aims for gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.