Fifteen years after the adoption of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325, women remain significantly underrepresented in peace and transitional processes. A central challenge is the lack of evidence-based knowledge on the precise role and impact of women’s inclusion on peace processes. When women have been included in the past, it was mainly due to normative pressure applied by women’s groups and their international supporters.
The results of the “Broadening Participation in Political Negotiations and Implementation” project—an ongoing multi-year research project started in 2011 at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, under the leadership of Dr. Thania Paffenholz— address these empirical knowledge gaps. Comprised of 40 in-depth qualitative case studies, this project examines the role and impact of all actors and groups— in addition to the main conflict parties—included in peace and political transition processes throughout all phases, including post-agreement implementation.
The objective of this report is to present an analysis of women’s inclusion distilled from the larger “Broadening Participation” research project to date, in order to provide UN Women (and other organizations studying women’s inclusion) with direct comparative evidence on women’s influence in previous cases of peace processes since the 1990s. For the purpose of the research, ‘women’ were defined as organized groups (such as women’s delegations and women’s civil society organizations, networks, or coalitions) participating alongside other actors, such as civil society, political parties, or previously-sidelined armed groups.
KEY FINDINGS
Essentially, the research found that the direct inclusion of women does not per se increase the likelihood that more peace agreements are signed and implemented. What makes a difference is the influence women actually have on a process. In short, making women’s participation count is more important than merely counting the number of women included in peace processes.
- Six key findings reinforcing this general conclusion are highlighted below:
- * Women have made substantial contributions to peacemaking and constitution-making negotiations
- and to the implementation of final agreements.
- * The strength of women’s influence is positively correlated with agreements being reached and implemented.
- * The involvement of women does not weaken peace processes.
- * Women’s inclusion is not limited to direct participation at the negotiation table.
- Seven modalities of inclusion were identified:
- • Direct representation at the negotiation table
- • Observer status
- • Consultations
- • Inclusive commissions.
- • Problem-solving workshops
- • Public decision-making.
- • Mass action
