Amid record levels of conflict, the proportion of women killed in armed conflicts doubled from 2022 to 2023. Women are bearing the brunt of conflicts around the world, and yet are not being included in negotiations to bring peace—and as a result, any peace achieved may be short-lived.
These troubling trends, and more, will be the subject of discussion at the 24th annual Women, Peace, and Security Open Debate, beginning on 24 October 2024. This year’s debate theme is “Women building peace in a changing environment.”
The debate’s speakers will include UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous, FemWise-Africa Cochair Effie Owuor, and other representatives from governments and civil society organizations.
Watch the debate live on UN Web TV.
Only 9.6% of peace negotiators in 2023 were women
women and girls die in conflict-affected countries every day due to complications with pregnancies and birth
The increase in the proportion of women killed in armed conflicts from 2022 to 2023
UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ new report on the state of women, peace, and security worldwide paints a bleak picture—but it also has clear, actionable steps that governments can take over the coming year to ensure women’s participation in conflict prevention, resolution, and recovery, and to uphold their rights during war.
Progress won over decades is vanishing before our eyes. But this is not inevitable. With the right policies and practices—coupled with the necessary political will—women can be placed at the heart of the peace and security agenda, and can help lead us all to a more peaceful world.
