Women remain significantly underrepresented in global peace negotiations, according to the latest United Nations Security Council report released in October 2025. Data indicates that women comprised only seven percent of negotiators in 2024, with nearly 90 percent of formal peace processes excluding female participants entirely, highlighting a persistent gap in the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
Why representation in peace processes remains low
Despite the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000, which mandates the inclusion of women in conflict resolution, progress has stalled. The UN Secretary-General’s report notes that structural barriers, including the persistence of patriarchal power dynamics and the exclusion of women from track-one diplomacy, prevent meaningful participation. While women frequently lead grassroots peacebuilding efforts, they are rarely granted seats at the formal negotiation tables where final peace agreements are signed.
How the 2024 statistics compare to previous years
The seven percent participation rate for women negotiators in 2024 reflects a long-term stagnation in diplomatic inclusion. By comparison, UN Women reports that between 1992 and 2019, women constituted only 13 percent of negotiators and six percent of mediators in major peace processes. While the 2024 figure shows a marginal increase over historical averages, the fact that nearly nine out of 10 negotiation tracks remain devoid of women suggests that the international community has failed to institutionalize the WPS agenda within formal conflict mediation.
What are the consequences of excluding women?
Research from the Council on Foreign Relations demonstrates that peace agreements are 35 percent more likely to last at least 15 years when women are involved in the negotiation process. The absence of women in these forums often results in:
- Narrower agendas: Discussions frequently focus solely on ceasefires and power-sharing, often ignoring long-term social stability and human rights.
- Reduced legitimacy: Agreements reached without inclusive representation often face higher rates of public rejection or renewed conflict.
- Omission of gender-based justice: Issues such as sexual violence in conflict and post-war legal protections for women are frequently sidelined in male-dominated negotiations.
Current status of the WPS agenda
The UN Security Council continues to hold annual open debates to review the progress of Resolution 1325. Member states are currently evaluating the 2025 Secretary-General’s report, which emphasizes that the lack of women in leadership roles is a primary driver of the current global security crisis. Diplomats are calling for binding quotas and more rigorous monitoring of peace processes to ensure that future mediation efforts include a diverse range of stakeholders.
Quick Facts: Women in Peace and Security
| Metric | 2024 Status |
|---|---|
| Share of women negotiators | 7% |
| Processes with no women | ~90% |
| Primary barrier | Lack of structural inclusion in track-one diplomacy |
| Impact of inclusion | 35% higher probability of long-term stability |