In the midst of constantly changing global dynamics, the world currently faces more than 50 ongoing armed conflicts, spanning a wide range of regions and scales. From the ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestine, Russia and Ukraine, to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and political turmoil in Myanmar, these conflicts have caused millions of deaths and refugees, human rights violations, and infrastructure destruction. War always leads to misery for all people; regardless of gender and age, all people face threats to their safety and lives. But in reality, the impact is often unequal; women and girls are the most vulnerable; they face far higher risks of violence than men. They face sexual violence, including gender-based violence (GBV), and declining health services, resulting in higher mortality rates.
The Double Burden of Women in Conflict Zones
More than 257 million women live in countries that reported massive sexual violence in 2021. The United Nations also reported that by 2023, at least 33,443 civilians will die as a result of armed conflict, representing a 72% increase compared to 2022, and the number of female casualties will double to triple. Furthermore, women in war zones also suffer heavily from limited access to basic facilities, including healthcare. As a result, 500 women a day fall victim to complications from pregnancy and childbirth (United Nations, 2024). The escalation of violence has worsened for women who are now more vulnerable to sexual violence, even in supposedly safe places like refugee camps, which provide no protection at all.
Invisible Heroes
Among the chaos and destruction wars bring, there is a group of heroes who are often overlooked: women. Yes, they emerge as the backbone of resilience. They step up as first responders, community leaders, and advocates for peace, proving that their roles extend far beyond the label of victimhood. Women lead or actively participate in community response. The CARE survey showed 91% of 13,000 women in 15 conflict countries since 2020 actively contributed to providing food and shelter for those fleeing conflict, becoming the breadwinner for their families, making communities safer, providing health services, focusing on education, and making diversified income to care for their families (Janoch et al., 2024). For example, in the Gaza conflict, 70% of frontline health workers were women who continued to work in dangerous conditions; in Sudan and Mali, they played an important role by providing food and shelter for refugees; and in Yemen, 89% of women in local savings groups contributed funds to help their war-affected communities (Nunn, 2024).
This data shows how heavy the burden is for women in war zones. While women are direct victims of the violence and destruction caused by war. Yet, at the same time, many of them are also volunteers, struggling to help others who are affected. And ironically, their role as lifesavers actually puts them at risk of becoming victims themselves. Research by Wolff and Mills (2016) shows that in the period from World War II to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, women soldiers on the frontlines faced significant challenges, including becoming victims of sexual trauma, known as military sexual trauma (MST). They are often victimized by an unsupportive environment, creating a situation where women who are supposed to be protectors also experience violence. Aside from this system, this phenomenon is of course also related to society’s perceptions, including stigma and stereotypes that perceive them as “unfit” or “too provocative.” This highlights the lack of safe spaces for any women in war zones. Ignoring this experience further worsens their marginalization in the formal process, including in peace-related decision-making.
Well, from these double burdens they carry, in fact, the global discourse systematically downplays their role. Since 2013, for example, media coverage has almost completely ignored women in conflict, with only 0.04% of news stories mentioning women leaders. Yet, their experiences as survivors and their roles as leaders provide perspectives that are critical to creating inclusive peace. Women’s participation in peace processes is often met with indifference and resistance from parties involved in negotiations. Women’s involvement in negotiations is often triggered by normative pressure from women’s groups and international advocates rather than a natural recognition of the importance of their role. Even after 24 years of Resolution 1325 (2000) adopted by the UN Security Council, which recognizes the vital role of women in conflict prevention and resolution as well as calling for their protection and full involvement in peace processes, the reality is far from promising (United Nations, 2024).
Sidelined at the Negotiating Table
As of 2023, women represent less than 10% in more than 50 peace processes around the world. However, the reality is that women’s involvement results in longer-lasting peace and more effective implementation. In fact, women’s participation in peace negotiations increases the chances of success. Peace agreements involving women are 20% more likely to last at least two years and 35% more likely to last up to 15 years. Analysis of 40 peace processes since the end of the Cold War shows that women’s strong involvement almost always results in an agreement, compared to weak or no influence (UN Women, 2015). Take Colombia as an example, where the Colombia Peace Agreement with the FARC in 2016 became a significant example of inclusivity thanks to the efforts of women’s organizations that were involved in ensuring their participation in the process by implementing the Women’s Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
Yet by 2022, only 16% of women negotiators were involved in UN-led peace processes, down from 23% in 2020. In many conflicts, such as in Ethiopia and Myanmar, there are no women on negotiating teams. Furthermore, despite women’s increased participation in UN mediation, their role in peacekeeping remains low, with only 6.5% in the military and 15.8% in the police. In addition, only one-third of peace agreements take into account women’s needs, while funding for women’s organizations is only about 0.3% of global aid, and investment to prevent gender-based violence is still less than 1% (Mantz, 2021; Council on Foreign Relations, 2022).
Therefore, by continuing to exclude women from the negotiation table and peacebuilding processes, we are not only betraying justice but also continuing their trauma. The world cannot claim to be fighting for peace while silencing those who have suffered the most from this war. Women’s feelings, experiences, and leadership must be respected and heard, because only by including them can true peace be achieved.
