Women Leaders Urge for a Greater Role in Ending Global Conflicts

Officials from the United Nations, the European Union and other institutions, as well as several ministers and other leaders have urged that women should be given a bigger voice in helping the world overcome conflicts and poverty. The call came at a conference in Brussels last week. The conference, which included some 50 international delegates, was set to promote issues of women's empowerment and leadership.

“We must rise to the challenge and push for change, for if we don't who will?” said Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU External Relations Commissioner in regards to the role of women (USA TODAY/AP).

The meeting raised concern over the lack of countries to implement U.N. Security Council resolution 1325, which was the first legal document established by the UN Security Council that required respect for women's rights during times of conflict, and that they be included in peace negotiations and in post conflict reconstruction

Some things the Resolution calls for:

• Prosecuting people for crimes against women (often such crimes are committed with impunity);
• Extra protection of girls and women in war zones as they are more often deliberately victimized;
• Appointing more women for peacekeeping operations; and
• Involving more women in negotiations, peace talks and post-war reconstruction planning.

The resolution is historic as it is the first to specifically address the disproportionate and unique impact that war has on women. The resolution which was unanimously adopted on October 31, 2000, and in November that year the European Parliament resolution on participation of women in peaceful conflict passed.

The conference brought to light the issue of undocumented and stateless children, which is a major hindrance for ones access to healthcare and education, as well as other key services, thus limiting ones potential to achieve and lead. “…whoever does not exist legally, cannot be a key actor. The same way that 70% of the poor are women and a large number of these children are women, girls, and we have to address this”, said Ana Palacio, Vice President of the World Bank.

The lack of participation of women in conflict is undeniable, and many proponents of increased inclusion for women have agreed that they are vitally needed. We all look at the world with a different perspective, and as they say two heads are better than one.  Thus the need for equal participation of men and women in conflict resolution and poverty reduction is needed if we are to ever see sustainable and positive long term change. As Virgina Woolf said, “War is not women's history.”, then let us work to set peace as our history.