Women-led civil society organisations are indispensable to conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts, Cyprus’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maria Michail said at a UN Security Council debate.
Addressing the open debate on Women, Peace and Security on 17 June, Michail said such organisations are often first responders to community needs, playing a critical role in humanitarian response, post-conflict recovery, accountability and the protection of human rights.
She called for sustained, predictable and flexible funding for women-led groups, and urged stronger protection for women human rights defenders and peacebuilders against threats, reprisals and violence.
More than 25 years after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, Michail said the Women, Peace and Security agenda remains a cornerstone for achieving sustainable peace, security and development.
1 in 10 negotiators are women
However, she warned that women continue to be underrepresented in peace processes and political transitions. Citing UN data, she said women accounted for just 9.6% of negotiators and 13.7% of mediators in peace processes in 2023.
“At the same time, gender-based violence remains pervasive in situations of conflict and crisis,” she said, pointing to findings in the UN Secretary-General’s latest report on conflict-related sexual violence.
Michail stressed that women must be represented at all levels of decision-making, including as mediators, negotiators and signatories to peace agreements.
National Action Plan
She also underlined Cyprus’ commitment to advancing the agenda, noting that the government this year adopted its second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security for 2026–2028.
The plan is structured around four pillars – participation, protection, prevention, and relief and recovery – and was developed through consultations involving the National Machinery for Women’s Rights, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
Michail said evidence consistently shows that women’s meaningful participation leads to more inclusive, effective and sustainable peace processes.
Source: CNA
