Gender-inclusive peace processes: Strengthening women’s meaningful participation through constituency building

Abstract

As violent conflicts and humanitarian crises intensify globally, and especially in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), communities are paying the price in the absence of political settlements and sustainable peace. Women, in particular, are severely impacted by these crises, but they remain mostly excluded from meaningfully participating in peace processes. This is despite overwhelming evidence showing that their involvement in peacebuilding and mediation contributes to lasting peace that goes well beyond just the silencing of guns. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed even more starkly the extent of gender inequality in conflict-affected contexts, prompting ever-more urgent calls for inclusion.