Gender equality’s not just a goal – it’s a foundation for lasting peace – UN News

Advancing Sustainable Development Goals Through Women’s Inclusion in Peace and Security

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 has been identified as a pivotal instrument for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). According to Laura Flores, Americas Division Director at the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), the resolution catalyzed the recognition that women are not merely victims of conflict but essential agents in its resolution. Ensuring women’s participation in peace negotiations and post-conflict recovery is fundamental to building inclusive and sustainable peace, directly aligning with the targets of SDG 16 to ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.

Progress and Persistent Challenges in the Americas

Achievements in Political Representation and Policy (SDG 5.5)

The Americas region has demonstrated notable progress in women’s political participation, a key indicator for SDG 5. This progress is evidenced by:

• The highest global average of women in parliament.
• Regional averages for female parliamentarians reaching 41% in the Caribbean, 31.9% in South America, and 30.8% in Central America.
• Adoption of feminist foreign policies by nations such as Mexico, Chile, and Colombia, aimed at integrating gender equality into diplomacy and peacebuilding efforts.

Enduring Obstacles to Gender Equality and Peace (SDG 5.2 & SDG 16.1)

Despite advancements, significant challenges hinder the full realization of SDG 5 and SDG 16. The security situation for women remains precarious, with systemic issues requiring urgent attention.

1. Proximity to Conflict: In the past year, nearly 700 million women resided within 50km of deadly conflict.
2. Exclusion from Peace Processes: An estimated 90% of peace processes excluded women negotiators, undermining the inclusivity required by SDG 16.
3. Gender-Based Violence: Violence against women remains at alarming levels. Sexual violence has reportedly increased by 87% over two years, and at least 11 women are murdered daily in Latin America, a direct contravention of SDG 5.2, which calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.
4. Targeted Violence: Political violence and digital harassment against women in leadership positions are on the rise, creating barriers to their participation in public life (SDG 5.5).

UN Initiatives and National Implementation for Sustainable Peace

Supporting National Action and Inclusive Processes

The United Nations, through agencies like the DPPA, actively supports member states in implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, which is crucial for localizing the SDGs. Key interventions include:

• Chile: The UN assisted a presidential commission addressing conflict root causes affecting Indigenous communities, with a specific focus on the challenges faced by Mapuche women. This initiative promotes SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 by ensuring marginalized voices contribute to peacebuilding.
• Colombia: The DPPA supported the development of Colombia’s first national action plan in alignment with Resolution 1325, creating a formal framework for achieving gender equality in its peace and security architecture.
• Haiti: A joint DPPA and UN Women program provides critical support to women and girls, particularly survivors of gender-based violence, directly addressing the targets of SDG 5.

Sustained political will and investment are deemed essential for these initiatives to achieve long-term impact.

The Critical Role of Indigenous Women in Upholding SDG 10 and SDG 16

Overcoming Exclusion and Driving Democratic Participation

Indigenous women, who are often subjected to intersecting forms of discrimination, are vital leaders in peace and justice efforts, embodying the principles of SDG 10 and SDG 16. Otilia Lux de Cotí, an Indigenous leader from Guatemala, exemplifies this resilience. Her work in documenting violence against women and Indigenous Peoples during Guatemala’s civil conflict was instrumental in the pursuit of transitional justice, a core component of SDG 16.

Case Study: Guatemala’s Defense of Democratic Institutions

The pivotal role of Indigenous women in strengthening democratic institutions (SDG 16) was demonstrated during Guatemala’s 2023 election crisis.

• Indigenous women authorities were at the forefront of movements to defend the democratic process when the peaceful transfer of power was threatened.
• Their mobilization was the result of a community-based consultation process known as Yacataj, or “a collective awakening of consciousness,” reflecting a deeply inclusive approach to decision-making.
• By raising their ancestral symbols of authority in defense of the vote, they performed a powerful act of democratic participation, reinforcing the call of Resolution 1325 for the increased representation of women at all decision-making levels for conflict prevention and resolution.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article’s central theme is the advancement of gender equality, focusing on women’s inclusion in peace processes, political participation, and the fight against gender-based violence. It discusses initiatives to “advance gender equality” and policies “aimed at promoting gender equality in diplomacy, peacebuilding and development.”

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article directly addresses conflict resolution, peace negotiations, and building inclusive institutions. It highlights the importance of women’s roles in resolving conflict and ensuring a “peaceful transfer of power,” as well as the need to reduce violence, as evidenced by the statistic that “nearly 700 million women lived within 50km of deadly conflict.”

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article specifically discusses the exclusion and challenges faced by Indigenous communities, particularly Indigenous women. It mentions efforts to address conflicts affecting “Indigenous communities,” the specific challenges of “Mapuche Indigenous women,” and the fact that Indigenous Peoples “face exclusion in political processes.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

     This target is identified through the article’s repeated references to the high levels of violence against women. It states that “gender-based violence in the region remains ‘alarmingly’ high, with at least 11 women murdered every day in Latin America,” and that “Sexual violence increased by 87 per cent over the past two years.”

   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

     This target is central to the article’s message. It quotes Laura Flores saying, “It’s about making sure women have a seat at the table when peace is being negotiated,” and notes that “nine out of 10 peace processes excluded women negotiators.” The article also celebrates progress in women’s political representation in the Americas.

2. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

     This is directly supported by the statistic that “at least 11 women murdered every day in Latin America,” which points to the need to reduce violent death rates, particularly femicide.

   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

     The article emphasizes this target by discussing the exclusion of women from peace processes and the importance of their inclusion for effective conflict resolution. It highlights how Resolution 1325 urged countries to “ensure increased representation of women at all decision-making levels” and celebrates the role of Indigenous women in defending democracy, which is a form of “democratic participation.”

3. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

     This target is relevant due to the focus on Indigenous women, who “are often hit hardest by conflict” and “face exclusion in political processes.” The article showcases efforts to include them, such as the commission in Chile that “specifically considered challenges faced by Mapuche Indigenous women” and the pivotal role of Indigenous leader Otilia Lux de Cotí in Guatemala.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 5.5 (Ensure women’s full and effective participation… in political… life):
   • Indicator: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments.

     The article provides explicit data for this indicator: “The Americas region had the highest average of women in parliament globally with Caribbean countries averaging 41 per cent, South America at 31.9 per cent, and Central America at 30.8 per cent.”

   • Indicator: Proportion of women in peace negotiation delegations/processes.

     The article implies this indicator by stating that “nine out of 10 peace processes excluded women negotiators,” which can be used as a baseline to measure improvement.

2. For Target 5.2 / 16.1 (Eliminate violence against women / Reduce violence and death rates):
   • Indicator: Number of female victims of intentional homicide per day/year.

     This is directly mentioned with the statistic that “at least 11 women murdered every day in Latin America.”

   • Indicator: Prevalence of sexual violence.

     The article provides a measure of change for this indicator, noting that “Sexual violence increased by 87 per cent over the past two years.”

3. For Target 10.2 (Promote political inclusion of all):
   • Indicator: Proportion of positions in public institutions (including national and local) held by members of specific population groups (e.g., Indigenous peoples).

     The article implies this indicator by highlighting the story of “Otilia Lux de Cotí, an Indigenous leader and the only Maya K’iche’ female minister to be included in Guatemala’s government in 2000,” showcasing the significance of Indigenous representation in government.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

Source: news.un.org