Women in peace building: why and how to increase their role

Even if women can contribute to lasting peace, there are few involved in peace negotiations. Find out how the European Parliament wants to change this.

Illustration for the International Women's Day on the topic of women's role in security, defence and peacebuilding
The European Parliament hosts a conference on the role of women in defence, security and peacebuilding

Studies have shown that peace agreements reached with the active participation of women have a better chance of being sustainable and effective. Societies that put an emphasis on reaching gender equality also enjoy better health, stronger economic growth and higher security.

Despite this, the number of women involved in peace negotiations and peace building missions has been low in the past, and has only registered slow progress in recent years.

The European Parliament hosted a conference on the occasion of the International Women’s Day to discuss how the role of women in peacebuilding could be strengthened.

What prevents women from having an active role in peacekeeping?


While women can make an important contribution to peace, they often take a back seat in negotiations.

When ceasefires or decreases in violence are negotiated, usually it is the warring parties that hold negotiations. But achieving a long-term peace and more resilient communities is linked to building a safe and secure environment and resuming socioeconomic activity. Women can support durable peace solutions and collective reconciliation.

Economic or legal inequalities in some societies can also prevent women from taking part in peace deals. If women have the same legal status as men and are seen as financially independent, successful entrepreneurs and investors, they are more likely to have a meaningful role in peacemaking.

Too few women in leadership positions


There are still few women participating in national, regional, and international decision-making structures. Women are absent in the highest command positions of EU military operations and missions, and very few have been appointed as heads of EU civilian missions.

A resolution adopted by the European Parliament in October 2020 on the role of women in the EU’s foreign and security policy said that women made up only 13% of negotiators in major peace processes from 1992 to 2018, 4% of signatories and 3% of mediators.

The resolution highlighted the importance of women in promoting dialogue, peacebuilding and bringing different perspectives on the meaning of peace and security.

Parliament’s work on promoting women in peacebuilding


The European Parliament supports the active participation of women in peacebuilding. In a resolution in December 2024 MEPs called for an EU foreign, security and development policy that takes into account the voices of women.

Also in 2024, the Arab-Jewish “Women Wage Peace” movement and the Palestinian “Women of the Sun” movement were shortlisted by MEPs among the three finalists of the Sakharov Prize for the Freedom of Thought. The two organisations work together for a peaceful and respectful solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Another resolution, adopted by Parliament in March 2022, stressed the important contribution women and civil society make to promoting dialogue for peace, and bringing different perspectives on what peace and security mean, in particular in conflict prevention, resolution and post-conflict reconstruction.

Parliament’s resolution from October 2020 that examined the role of women in the EU’s foreign and security policy, called on the European Commission, the European External Action Service and EU delegations around the world to recognise girls and women as drivers of change. MEPs stressed the positive role women have in achieving sustainable peace and social cohesion.

The Women, Peace and Security agenda


In 2000, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1325, which established the Women, Peace and Security agenda. This document aimed to ensure that the rights, agency and protection of women and girls around the globe are observed and upheld at all times.

The EU adopts gender action plans to promote gender equality and women's empowerment through all external action of the European Union. Those plans also include efforts to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

In its resolution on the current gender action plan from March 2022, Parliament called on the EU to support local peacebuilding initiatives led by women and women human rights defenders.

Parliament conference on women in defence and peacebuilding


Parliament’s women's rights and gender equality committee used the occasion of the International Women’s Day in 2025 to organise a conference on the role of women in defence, security and peacebuilding on 6 March.

Representatives of EU countries, European institutions, members of the European Parliament and national parliaments met to discuss the different ways in which women could contribute to combating inequalities and empowering future generations.

The focus was on the need to ensure women's full participation in decision-making processes, particularly in defence, security, and peacebuilding.

Find out more about the programme and watch the recording of the event.

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