The presence of women in any place can affect the whole environment; however, injustices faced by individuals due to inequalities have motivated people to advocate for women’s rights, driving the fight for liberation. Despite many centuries passing, women still lack a significant role in peacekeeping and conflict resolution.

Peace comes when the parties are ready to negotiate and understand each other’s perspectives, as it came in the peace realm thirty years ago; nonetheless, it is heard that only men participate in these talks, but up to 50% of the world is comprised of females.

From the morning routine to our dinners, women play a prominent role in our home. However, due to society and gender roles, they are confined to the four walls.

Nonetheless, when it comes to women’s participation in peacekeeping processes of any country, it is low, according to the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Despite this, if different countries are compared, the Philippines had 35% of women’s participation in the Oslo Joint Statement 2011.

Women’s involvement in peacekeeping remains limited, despite the UN’s initiatives to enhance their roles. Women make up just 6.5 per cent of military personnel and 15.8 per cent of police forces in peacekeeping operations. Additionally, many peace agreements still do not adequately address the needs of women and girls; only one-third of the agreements made in 2022 included specific provisions for them, the CFR report said.

In UN’s Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) obligation, in conflict-affected countries, there will be local women’s peace initiatives, as there is a need to support that and end those hostilities.

Female representatives and peace experts are needed to ensure new and equal provisions, mechanisms, and institutions. Furthermore, violence and oppression against women are global concepts; however, peace enablement, can ensure formal and proper mediation.

For example, women in Yemen negotiated civilian access to water, and in 2023, over 49 women-led organisations in Sudan formed the Peace for Sudan Platform to advocate for an inclusive peace process.

The main action was taken by UN Women, who introduced a series of hashtagWeAreHere to showcase work in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and Palestine.

In Pakistan, activist Mossarat Qadeem has established PAIMAN to deradicalise extremists by working with legislators and policymakers. Another example is Libya, where Alaa Murabit and her colleagues have created a dialogue for people who think they do not have any choice with regard to Libyan culture using media.

A Marie O’Reilly research showed that peacekeeping by women is more effective. It also highlighted the reasons behind the conflicts. Furthermore, women’s participation has its greatest impact in the long term, as from 1989 to 2011, they were able to sign 182 peace treaties. For example, in Somalia, women are known to serve as first-line diplomats.

Women as peacemakers and peacekeepers are not only beneficial for the conflicting parties but also help women to improve their status as women in society. It is considered the first way to ensure equality among genders. Hence, it could be understood by feminist theory as one research study stated: “societal construction of gender roles, with particular emphasis on specific notions of masculinity and femininity and it revolves around examining the social manifestations of gender, viewing it as a pivotal categorization in society.”

To conclude, enhancing women’s participation in peacekeeping and conflict resolution is crucial for achieving sustainable peace. Their unique perspectives and experiences significantly contribute to negotiations and societal healing. Empowering women fosters gender equality and strengthens communities, ensuring a more inclusive and effective approach to global peacebuilding.