“21 September marks the international day of peace. This year’s theme is ‘Shaping Peace Together’.

Earlier this year, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterrez, called for a global ceasefire, encouraging Member States to silence the guns and focus efforts on fighting the pandemic. Whilst this speech was well-received by all, it did not result in lasting improvements on the ground.  The pandemic poses a tremendous threat to global peace as, in many cases, the root causes of conflict have been amplified; trust in national leaderships are diminishing as response measures fall short and community tensions rise due to the inadequate provision of resources.

In a recent policy brief ‘COVID-19 and Conflict’, UN Women explain the importance of women’s meaningful participation in ceasefires and peace processes. The report demonstrates that women’s participation is essential to achieving peace during and after the pandemic, and offers guidance on ways of ensuring women’s inclusion in peacemaking throughout the pandemic.

Click HERE to read more.”