WFWPI, groups to UN member states: Equalize women representations, increase funds for women and peace programs

Geneva - Amid the heightened armed conflicts in the world today, the WFWPI and allied non-governmental organizations have asked the UN member states to seriously work toward achieving global peace with women in full participation. They have also initiated the global campaign for peace called “No Peace Without Women.”

In a statement given to the Secretary-General on June 18, 2026, the groups asked for “women parity in peace processes, and the allocation of a minimum of 15% to national budgets for peace and security financing to gender equality initiatives and support for women peacebuilders, women-led organizations, and community peace initiatives.”

These measures are included in the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, enshrined in the Security Council Resolution 1325.

“The Women, Peace, and Security Agenda is an unfulfilled promise,” says the written statement signed by the WFWPI, International Alliance of Women, Soroptimist International, Universal Peace Federation, which are in general consultative status with ECOSOC.

Other signatories include the Graduate Women International (GWI), Mothers Legacy Project, and Silver Lining for the Needy Initiative which hold a special consultative status with ECOSOC.

“Women must participate fully, equally and meaningfully in decision-making across the entire peacebuilding cycle. Member states must guarantee parity by 2030 in all peace negotiations, mediation teams, and post-conflict governance structures,” the women’s groups said.  

Data show that women make up only about 7% of negotiators and 14% of mediators in formal peace processes worldwide. Many peace negotiations still exclude women due to political and cultural biases against women.

Empirical research in peace and conflict however reveals that the inclusion of women in negotiation processes results in more comprehensive policy outcomes, greater attention to the needs of affected populations, and a higher likelihood of achieving durable and sustainable peace agreements.

“Increasing women’s representation in diplomacy is not solely a matter of equality, it is also a matter of effectiveness. With such inclusivity, the international community can move closer to securing peace settlements that are not only reached, but enduring.”

WFWPI has initiated the campaign called “No Peace Without Women” in 2026 to illustrate how international forums and global events can promote dialogue, encourage women’s leadership in peace negotiations and peace building processes, and strengthen international cooperation on gender-inclusive diplomacy.

A high-level side event at the 70th Commission on the Status of Women in March this year became the platform for the Call to Action which was hosted by a coalition of five government missions: Costa Rica (CSW70 Chair), Finland, Montenegro, Qatar and Gabon.

The global network of seven NGO Committees on the Status of Women prepared statements of support and the Call to Action was read in the presence of UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.

WFWPI, Global 100 Women, IAFLP and the NGO Committee on the Status of Women Geneva were the key initiators of the campaign that has held fourteen international conferences and advocates for a women-led campaign to put an end to war.