Including Women in Peace Processes in the Middle East and North Africa

Context

In 2000, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1325, which seeks to involve women in crisis prevention, conflict resolution and the consolidation of peace while protecting them from sexual violence in armed conflicts.

Implementing this resolution in practice remains a challenge, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Here, women have fewer opportunities to participate in political processes than men. Meanwhile, women and girls are particularly affected by conflict situations and face numerous instances of discrimination.

Objective

To improve the long-term political inclusion and influence of women in peace processes in the Middle East and North Africa in the spirit of Resolution 1325.

Approach

This project is promoting the participation of women in peace and political processes in order to foster long-term peace in the MENA region. In doing so, it is focusing on Iraq, Yemen, Libya and Syria. It is also working with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).

The project's activities include:

• Facilitating training courses, advisory services and workshops on peace negotiations for female peace activists, mediators and selected women's groups
• Providing digital access to strategy documents, individual case studies and training materials through its own online portal, the Peace Agreement Database, and the app PeaceFem
• Publishing numerous research papers on the role of women in conflict resolution and social solidarity
• Promoting networking and the sharing of experiences across national borders
• Advising governments and other actors on the inclusion of women and gender-sensitive perspectives
• Cooperating with well-known international think tanks and research institutes to ensure an effective, fact-based approach

Last update: August 2023