Four key roles for women that will make the world a better place
Women make up 50 percent of the global population, and studies show that when they participate in political life, economic and security outcomes improve for everyone in society. But showing up and participating are just the start. Research demonstrates there are four key ways in which women create meaningful change in their communities worldwide.
Participation: Why Women's Voices Make Peace Endure
When women are part of peace deals and decision-making processes, peace lasts longer. It's not enough to protect women and girls from violence in conflict zones. When women contribute to peaceful resolutions to conflict, they can prevent violence from escalating again. This was the case in Northern Ireland in the 1990s, where women proved instrumental in shaping the Good Friday Agreement, ending decades of sectarian violence through the collective action of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition.
Prevention: How Women's Coalitions Are Changing the Course of Conflict
Incorporating women in conflict prevention efforts globally helps stop escalation of violence in the first place. This often takes the form of governments engaging civic organizations led by women, religious leaders, teachers and others in calling for nonviolence. In Mali, Case de la Paix, a multi-ethnic and multi-community coalition of 76 women's associations, has actively worked for regional security, political stability and social cohesion since 2013.
Protection: Ending Violence to Strengthen Peace
Prioritizing the safety of women is central for peace and security for all people. Terrorist groups and gangs use sexual violence as a tool to gain control over communities. When international observers monitor sexual violence, this can de-escalate a conflict. When authorities prosecute these cases, communities recover faster.
Since the 2022 invasion by Russia, Ukrainian women and girls, who have faced increased risk of gender-based violence (GBV), conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), and human trafficking, have mobilized to establish criminal accountability and transitional justice for survivors. In 2022, Ukraine's War Crime Unit created a specialized CRSV department led by a female prosecutor.
Studies show that women's inclusion in peacekeeping leads to improved operational effectiveness in conflict settings. Women peacekeepers often have better access to communities and can help build trust with local populations, especially women, resulting in greater stability and cooperation. This helps communities recover faster from violent conflict. Despite this, according to UN Peacekeeping, women made up only 30 percent of civilian personnel in peacekeeping operations and 7.9 percent of military, police, justice and corrections personnel in field missions.
These four key areas form the foundation of the Women Peace and Security framework. Participation, protection, prevention, relief and recovery are rooted in United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1325 passed in 2000. The Women, Peace and Security agenda has since been strengthened through the adoption of nine subsequent UNSC resolutions supporting the recognition of women's priorities in peace and security decision-making.
The clear relationship between women's participation and security at both national and international levels creates a more peaceful world. It stands as both a moral and strategic imperative. Countries with high levels of inequality between men and women are more than twice as likely to be fragile states. By continuing to champion the WPS agenda, the United States can strengthen its leadership in promoting effective security strategies for itself while making the world more peaceful.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
41 minutes ago
At least 6 killed in Kyiv by Russian drone, missile strikes on Ukraine, mayor says
LONDON -- At least six people were killed and 22 injured in Kyiv overnight as Russian drone and missile attacks again rocked Ukraine's capital, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said early on Monday, describing Moscow's latest attack as "terrible." Most casualties came from a single strike on a residential building in Kyiv's northwestern Shevchenkivskyi district, Klitschko said in a post to Telegram, alongside which he published a video from the impact site showing extensive damage to nearby apartment blocks. Ukraine's air force said in a post to Telegram that Russia launched 352 drones and 16 missiles into the country overnight, with Kyiv the primary target. Of those, the air force said 339 drones and 15 missiles were shot down or otherwise neutralized. Direct hits were reported in six locations, the air force said, with falling debris reported in 25 locations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a statement on Telegram condemning the "cynical strike," which he said included the use of North Korean ballistic missiles. Noting Russia's condemnation of recent Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran, Zelenskyy said Moscow remains "silent" on its own ongoing bombardment of Ukrainian cities using Iranian-supplied attack drones. "A significant part of the drones and missiles were shot down by our sky defenders," Zelenskyy wrote. "But not all. And everyone in countries close to Russia, Iran and North Korea should think about whether they will be able to protect lives there if this coalition of killers persists and continues to spread terror." The Ukrainian president will visit the U.K. on Monday, as British leaders prepare for the NATO summit in the Netherlands on Tuesday. Zelenskyy said that air defense capabilities will be among the topics to be discussed, capabilities he said "should become the basis for a much stronger joint defense." "And we will also agree on new and strong steps to put pressure on Russia for this war and to stop the strikes," Zelenskyy wrote in his statement.
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Russian attacks on Ukraine kill at least 9 and injure over a dozen
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine's capital overnight killed at least six people and injured others, according to local officials, as rescue workers and firefighters sought to remove people they believed trapped under debris in a partially collapsed apartment building. Elsewhere in Ukraine, a Russian short-range drone attack killed two people and wounded 10 more in the Chernihiv region late Sunday night, authorities said. According to the regional administration head, Viacheslav Chaus, three children were among the wounded. Another person was killed and eight wounded overnight in the city of Bila Tserkva, around 85 kilometers (53 miles) southwest of the capital. The strikes came nearly a week after a combined Russian attack on Ukraine last Tuesday killed 28 people in Kyiv, 23 of them in a residential building that collapsed after sustaining a direct hit by a missile. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called that attack one of the biggest bombardments of the war, now in its fourth year . In the early hours of Monday, drones and missiles hit residential areas, hospitals and sports infrastructure in numerous districts across Kyiv, emergency services said, with the most severe damage occurring in the Shevchenkivskyi district, where one section of a five-story apartment building collapsed. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said six people were confirmed dead in the Shevchenkivskyi district. Ten others, including a pregnant woman, were rescued from a nearby high-rise that also sustained heavy damage in the blast. Dozens of vehicles, some burned out and others mangled by flying debris from the blast, formed a snarl in the courtyard in front of the building, which had collapsed down to the second floor. Onlookers, some wrapped in blankets, watched tearfully as the cleanup operation took place. Dozens of volunteers worked to remove broken glass, downed tree branches and other debris. Klitschko told reporters from the scene that 'we very much hope that the death toll will not increase,' but that rescue workers were still searching the collapsed building for further casualties. Russia fired a total of 352 exploding drones and decoys overnight, Ukraine's air force said. Russia also launched 11 ballistic missiles and five cruise missiles. Air defenses intercepted or jammed 339 drones and 15 missiles before they could reach their targets, the statement said. Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 23 Ukrainian drones overnight into Monday. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Russian attacks on Ukraine kill at least 9 and injure over a dozen
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine's capital overnight killed at least six people and injured others, according to local officials, as rescue workers and firefighters sought to remove people they believed trapped under debris in a partially collapsed apartment building. Elsewhere in Ukraine, a Russian short-range drone attack killed two people and wounded 10 more in the Chernihiv region late Sunday night, authorities said. According to the regional administration head, Viacheslav Chaus, three children were among the wounded. Another person was killed and eight wounded overnight in the city of Bila Tserkva, around 85 kilometers (53 miles) southwest of the capital. The strikes came nearly a week after a combined Russian attack on Ukraine last Tuesday killed 28 people in Kyiv, 23 of them in a residential building that collapsed after sustaining a direct hit by a missile. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called that attack one of the biggest bombardments of the war, now in its fourth year. In the early hours of Monday, drones and missiles hit residential areas, hospitals and sports infrastructure in numerous districts across Kyiv, emergency services said, with the most severe damage occurring in the Shevchenkivskyi district, where one section of a five-story apartment building collapsed. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said six people were confirmed dead in the Shevchenkivskyi district. Ten others, including a pregnant woman, were rescued from a nearby high-rise that also sustained heavy damage in the blast. Dozens of vehicles, some burned out and others mangled by flying debris from the blast, formed a snarl in the courtyard in front of the building, which had collapsed down to the second floor. Onlookers, some wrapped in blankets, watched tearfully as the cleanup operation took place. Dozens of volunteers worked to remove broken glass, downed tree branches and other debris. Klitschko told reporters from the scene that 'we very much hope that the death toll will not increase,' but that rescue workers were still searching the collapsed building for further casualties. Russia fired a total of 352 exploding drones and decoys overnight, Ukraine's air force said. Russia also launched 11 ballistic missiles and five cruise missiles. Air defenses intercepted or jammed 339 drones and 15 missiles before they could reach their targets, the statement said. Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 23 Ukrainian drones overnight into Monday. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at
