The Role of Women in International Conflict Resolution

The international community should better involve women in peace processes to help achieve sustainable peace and more effectively build amicable relationships between entities in conflict. Peace agreements and reconstruction are more sustainable and effective when women are involved in the peace-building process. Bringing women to the peace table improves the quality of agreements reached and enhances the likelihood of implementation because of the unique skill sets and experiences that women possess.

Historical chronicles and modern international law theories have documented the role of women in wartime only by identifying women as victims of rape and other sexual atrocities. Recently, this has changed somewhat, with Resolution 1325 having both a meaningful and symbolic impact on women around the world; this has transformed the image of women from being exclusively victims of war to being active participants as peacemakers, peace-builders, and negotiators. This change recognises the value women can bring to international conflict resolution. At the same time, however, a framework like Resolution 1325, which encourages involvement of women at all levels for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict and supports local women’s peace initiatives and indigenous processes for conflict resolution, is not a leap, but a step in the right direction.