These findings are set out in the Secretary-General’s report Latest annual report on women, peace and security.
The increase in death and violence is “comes amid growing blatant disregard for international law designed to protect women and children in war,” according to United Nations Womenreporting agency.
Price
United Nations record At least 33,443 civilians died in armed conflicts in 2023, an increase of 72% compared to 2022, the death rate of women and children doubled and tripled respectively.
The majority of recorded deaths, 70%, occurred in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel – the deadliest conflict for civilians in 2023.
The report says women in war zones also have increasingly limited access to health care.
For example, Every day, 500 women and girls in conflict-affected countries die from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.. By the end of 2023, 180 women were giving birth every day in war-torn Gaza, most without basic necessities or medical care.
“Women continue to pay the price for men’s wars” speak Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women.
“This is happening against the backdrop of a larger war on women. Deliberate targeting of women’s rights not only occurs in conflict-affected countries but is even more dangerous in those settings.”
The UN says including women in political processes will benefit all Sudanese people.
Without women, there is no peace
The report comes nearly 25 years after the UN Security Council adopted a landmark resolution on women, peace and security.
Resolution 1325 (2000) recognizes the important contribution of women to the prevention and resolution of conflict. It calls on warring parties to ensure the safety of women and girls and the full participation of women in the peace process.
Yet despite commitments that have been made over the years, women will make up less than 10% of negotiators in more than 50 peace processes worldwide by 2023. This remains the case even where studies show that when women are included, peace agreements last longer and are better implemented.
Serious funding shortage
For example, in Yemen, negotiations led by women have resulted in access to safe water for people. In Sudan, 49 women-led organizations are pushing for a more inclusive peace process. However, these efforts have been largely unsupported or unrecognized in official peace negotiations.
The report notes that one of the main challenges is a severe lack of funding. While global military spending hits a record $2.44 trillion in 2023, Funding for organizations and movements supporting women’s rights averages only 0.3% of total annual aid.
Furthermore, investment in preventing and responding to gender-based violence accounts for less than 1% of total humanitarian spending.
Bold action is needed
The report includes eight recommendations to enhance the role of women in peace and security. These include setting an initial minimum target for women to make up one-third of those participating in peace and reconciliation processes, and ultimately achieving equality with men.
It concludes that only through bold political action and increased funding will the equitable and meaningful participation of women in peace and security become a reality, which is essential to achieving have lasting peace.
