Four key roles for women that will make the world a better place

Business Insider

15-05-2025

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.