Women, Peace, and Security
Women have historically been systematically excluded from political leadership and peace processes. Despite decades of policy on the subject, this exclusion continues, as does the neglect of gender considerations in peace processes. At Inclusive Peace, we work to promote women’s participation and gender mainstreaming in all aspects of peacemaking and peacebuilding.
Two decades have passed since Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security (WPS) was adopted by the UN Security Council. The WPS agenda recognises that women are essential to international peace and security. UN member states acknowledge that peace depends on women’s meaningful participation in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding. The agenda also highlights the importance of women’s participation in political decision-making more broadly.
However, the road from policy development in the Security Council to implementation has been long and slow. In many contexts, women still play a temporary and often symbolic role without actual possibilities to influence. In other words, significant gaps remain between this normative advancement and concrete results for women and girls. Lack of political will, accountability, and resources, as well as institutional and attitudinal barriers have been identified as the main causes for this gap.
How we work with Women and Gender
At Inclusive Peace, we work to break down these barriers. We support women’s meaningful participation in different contexts and fields, such as conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and broader political processes. This work is based on our extensive research and experiences on women’s varied roles and influence in peace and transition processes.
We support inclusive process design, but most of all we focus on how inclusive processes can lead to inclusive outcomes in addressing the barriers strategically.
Briefing Note,
Making Women Count in Peace Processes
This briefing note summarises key findings on women's inclusion and influence in peacebuilding and peace processes. It is based on the “Broadening Participation in Political Negotiations and Implementation” research project.
February 2016IPTI,
Report,
Making Women Count - Not Just Counting Women: Assessing Women's Inclusion and Influence on Peace Negotiations
This report is based on the multi-year research project “Broadening Participation in Political Negotiations and Implementation”. It examines women’s inclusion and influence in peace processes.
April 2016Steven Dixon, Anna-Lena Schluchter, Jacquie True, Thania Paffenholz, Nick Ross,
Briefing Note,
Beyond the Normative: Can Women’s Inclusion Really Make for Better Peace Processes?
This briefing note summarises key findings on the effects of women’s inclusion and influence in peace processes. It is based on the multi-year research project “Broadening Participation in Political Negotiations and Implementation”.
April 2015Thania Paffenholz,
Infographic,
Factors Enabling and Constraining Women's Influence in Peace Processes
This infographic provides an overview of 19 factors enabling and constraining women’s influence in peacebuilding and peace processes.
December 2019IPTI,
Case Study,
Women in Peace and Transition Processes – Sudan: Darfur (2009–2017)
This case study analyses women’s influence in Sudan’s Doha peace negotiations and implementation process (2009-2017).
September 2018Jasper Linke,
Case Study,
Women in Peace and Transition Processes: Afghanistan (2001–2005)
This case study analyses women’s influence in Afghanistan’s Bonn Agreement negotiation process (2001-2005).
December 2019Molly Kellogg, Thania Paffenholz,
Case Study,
Women in Peace and Transition Processes: Burundi (1996–2014)
This case study analyses women’s influence in Burundi’s Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement and Implementation process (1996-2014).
December 2018Jane Linekar,
Case Study,
Women in Peace and Transition Processes: Yemen (2011–2015)
This case study analyses women’s influence in Yemen’s Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative (2011-2015).
April 2018Nick Ross,
Case Study,
Women in Peace and Transition Processes: Tunisia (2013-2015)
This case study analyses women’s influence in Tunisia’s Constituent Assembly and National Dialogue (2013-2015).
December 2019IPTI,
Case Study,
Women in Peace and Transition Processes: Democratic Republic of the Congo (2001–2003)
This case study analyses women’s influence in the Inter-Congolese Dialogue (2001-2003).
November 2017Anne Zachariassen,
Case Study,
Women in Peace and Transition Processes: Fiji (2012)
The case study discusses women’s influence in Fiji’s Constitution-drafting process (2012).
December 2018Estefanía Charvet, Hannah Brown,
Case Study,
Women in Peace and Transition Processes: Guatemala (1994–1999)
This case study analyses women’s influence in Guatemala’s Negotiations for a Firm and Lasting Peace (1994-1999).
May 2017Anne Zachariassen,
Case Study,
Women in Peace and Transition Processes: Kenya (2008–2013)
The case study analyses women’s influence in Kenya’s National Dialogue and Reconciliation process (2008-2013).
August 2016Estefanía Charvet,
Case Study,
Women in Peace and Transition Processes: Liberia (2003–2011)
This case study analyses women’s influence in Liberia’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement negotiation and implementation process (2003-2011).
April 2018Franzisca Zanker,
Infographic,
Infographic: Women’s role in Mexico’s peace process (1994-2001)
This infographic analyses women’s influence in in Mexico’s Chiapas peace process (1994-2001).
October 2018IPTI,
Case Study,
Women in Peace and Transition Processes: Nepal (2008–2012)
This case study analyses women’s influence women in Nepal’s First Constituent Assembly (2008-2012).
July 2017Estefanía Charvet,
Case Study,
Women in Peace and Transition Processes: Northern Ireland (1996–1998)
This case study analyses women’s influence in Northern Ireland’s Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement (1996-1998).
December 2018Alexander Bramble,
Case Study,
Women in Peace and Transition Processes: Somalia (2000)
This case study analyses women’s influence in Somalia’s National Peace Conference (2000).
September 2018Anne Zachariassen,
Case Study,
Women in Peace and Transition Processes: Somaliland (1993)
This case study analyses women’s influence in Somaliland’s Grand Conference on National Reconciliation (1993).
July 2017Anne Zachariassen,
Case Study,
Women in Peace and Transition Processes: South Africa (1990–1998)
This case study analyses women’s influence in South Africa’s Transition to Democracy (1990-1998).
November 2018Michael Aeby,
Briefing Note,
Fresh Insights on the Quantity and Quality of Women’s Inclusion in Peace Processes
This briefing note summarises expert views on women's inclusion in peace processes. It is based on findings from the “Broadening Participation” and “Civil Society and Peacebuilding” Projects.
May 2013Antonia Potter Prentice, Cate Buchanan, Thania Paffenholz,