More than 600 million women and girls are now affected by armed conflict, a 50% increase from a decade ago, with concerns that their plight is being overlooked amid a growing backlash against women’s rights, according to top U.N. officials.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted in a recent report that record levels of violence are erasing progress made in women’s rights, jeopardizing generational gains globally. He noted that power and decision-making in peace and security matters remain predominantly male, undermining the potential benefits of women’s leadership.
The report revealed a stark rise in the impact of war on women: the proportion of women killed in conflicts doubled in 2023, instances of conflict-related sexual violence rose by 50%, and the number of girls experiencing severe violations increased by 35%.
At a recent U.N. Security Council meeting, Sima Bahous, head of UN Women, emphasized the urgent need to include women’s voices in peace efforts. She cited the plight of women in Afghanistan facing educational deprivation, displaced women in Gaza, and victims of sexual violence in Sudan, among others.
Bahous stated that 612 million women and girls affected by war feel forgotten by a global community consumed by crises. She highlighted alarming statistics: one in two women and girls in conflict-affected areas face food insecurity, and 61% of maternal deaths occur in 35 conflict-affected nations.
Women’s participation in peace negotiations remains stagnant, with less than 10% representation in all processes and under 20% in U.N.-led efforts. In response, U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed announced a “Common Pledge on Women’s Participation in Peace Processes,” urging governments and organizations to commit to including women in mediation roles and promoting their meaningful involvement.
Many U.N. ambassadors pointed out a lack of political will to implement commitments for women’s inclusion in peace processes, with Panama’s U.N. Ambassador Eloy Alfaro de Alba stating that this continues to hinder progress.
