Putting Women at the Center of Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding

Data from 2024 show that an estimated 676 million women and girls were living within 50 kilometres of active conflict, the highest number recorded since the Cold War ended. Women and girls constitute the overwhelming majority of victims of conflict‑related sexual violence, including rape, abductions, human trafficking and sexual slavery. Discrimination amplifies these risks, especially for those from racially, ethnically or religiously marginalised groups, who face heightened vulnerability to sexual violence.

Across the globe, women are often the first to act when humanitarian crises erupt, drawing on deep knowledge of local conditions that external actors may lack. They organise community protection, mediate disputes, document violations and lead relief efforts. This grassroots leadership is a key factor in preventing the escalation of violence and fostering durable peace. Türk emphasised that women’s participation in formal decision‑making remains far below their contribution on the ground, creating a persistent gap that undermines inclusive security.

Türk argued that the lower the resources allocated to women—whether in health, education or economic opportunities—the greater their exposure to harm. Investing in women’s rights, therefore, is an investment in societal resilience and social cohesion. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is expanding support for women’s rights defenders, facilitating access to international mechanisms, and backing accountability for conflict‑related sexual violence in countries such as Colombia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Strengthening women‑led civil‑society organisations and ensuring equal participation in peace processes are presented as essential steps toward lasting security.