Women-led civil society organisations are indispensable actors in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, humanitarian response and post-conflict recovery and they are often the first responders to the needs of affected communities and play a critical role in promoting accountability and protecting human rights Cyprus UN Permanent Representative Maria Michail said.
In a statement at UNSC Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security held June 17, Michail said that the work of the women-led civil society organisations must be supported through sustainable, predictable and flexible funding, while women human rights defenders and women peacebuilders must be protected from threats, reprisals and violence.
She went on to say that more than twenty-five years after the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325, the Women, Peace and Security agenda remains one of the most important frameworks for achieving sustainable peace, security and development.
Yet, she pointed out, women continue to be underrepresented in peace negotiations and political transitions and referred to UN figures according to which in 2023, women accounted for only 9.6% of negotiators and 13.7% of mediators in peace processes. At the same time, she added, gender-based violence remains pervasive in situations of conflict and crisis. The findings of the Secretary General’s latest report on conflict-related sexual violence are alarming, she noted.
According to Michail, women must be represented at all decision-making levels, including as mediators, negotiators, peacebuilders and signatories to peace agreements.
She also underlined that Cyprus remains firmly committed to advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, noting that earlier this year, Cyprus adopted its Second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security for 2026-2028, structured around the pillars of Participation, Protection, Prevention, and Relief and Recovery.
She said that the development of the National Action Plan was guided by an inclusive consultation process involving the National Machinery for Women’s Rights, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
She concluded her statement by saying that evidence consistently demonstrate that women’s meaningful participation contributes to more inclusive, effective and sustainable peace processes.