24 June 2025
Delivered by: United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif
Madame Vice-President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished panelists,
Let me start by underscoring the grave global context as described this morning by the High Commissioner. At this critical juncture - and we have called it a time of existential threat - we are facing an unprecedented peril, finding ourselves at a unique and precarious point in history, at the edge of a precipice. Military power can be a deterrent. But there are countless examples where it has failed to prevent conflict and achieve its immediate desired outcomes guided by national interests, leading to dramatic unintended consequences.
Therefore, more than ever, we need to reinvest in the power of diplomacy. Diplomacy is the chief instrument of a State's foreign and trade policy. It can make the difference between war and peace. Between exerting influence or being trampled and ignored. Between sustainable prosperity – or exploitation that degrades both our environment and our dignity.
And clearly, representation matters. Diplomats need to be the best possible representatives of their society, named from the widest possible talent pool. They must also be able to reflect and distill the needs, the rights, the lived experiences of all their people.
But do they?
Women, in all their diversity, have worked in diplomacy for generations. Halima Ouarzazi of Morocco, and Belela Herrera of Uruguay – both of whom recently passed away – are two examples among the many that we cherish. Both dedicated their life to diplomacy, multilateralism and human rights at a time when it was mostly a man's world.
Today, there are just 30 women foreign ministers around the world – only fifteen percent. Only 20% of Ambassadors, globally, are women.
Women's contributions, as well as their right to participate equally, are often overlooked and undermined. Women diplomats continue to face multiple barriers – particularly in the military and security sectors, as well as at the very top rungs of the ladder.
Given the disproportionate and differentiated impact of conflict and crises on women – and their greater exposure to economic shocks – this discrimination damages these critical diplomatic processes. In fact, when women do not have an equal place at the table we all lose: that was the impetus behind Security Council Resolution 1325 adopted twenty-five years ago.
Time and again, research has shown the benefits of women's diplomatic leadership. A global study conducted by UN Women ten years ago found that women’s participation increased by 20 percent the probability of a peace agreement lasting at least two years – and increased by 35 percent the probability of a peace agreement lasting 15 years. The math is clear.
Analysis of 40 peace processes since the end of the Cold War indicated that when women had a strong role in negotiations, agreement was far more likely to be reached. Research also suggests that countries with greater gender equality are much more likely to resolve conflicts peacefully, without military force.
And yet, despite these obvious advantages, an overwhelming domination of men is still the norm in decisions relating to war, and negotiations relating to peace as you can see from this data.
Meanwhile, women human rights defenders, and women-led organizations, that have worked as peacebuilders for years on barebones funding, are facing serious cuts, with entire programmes at jeopardy.
We are also seeing increasingly coordinated, well resourced, and overt pushback in countries against the equality and human rights of women, girls and gender diverse people.
In areas affected by conflict, violence against women – including conflict-related sexual violence – is on the rise. And everywhere, we see increasing threats against women who speak their minds.
This situation must urgently change.
In Colombia, our Office works closely with indigenous and local communities to ensure broad and meaningful consultations in the National Action Plans on women, peace and security.
In eastern DRC, we have facilitated the establishment of a group of influential women from DRC, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda working together on a roadmap on addressing root causes of the conflict, which was presented to the Luanda mediation process. Together with our partners, we have trained over 100 women mediators operating in 17 territories.
In Ethiopia, we have supported over 120 women leaders in peacebuilding, through training and advocacy.
While In Sudan, we continue to facilitate the participation of women in peace talks in Geneva.
In Syria, we have contributed to amplifying the role played by women human rights defenders in transitional justice.
As the New Agenda for Peace affirms, securing equal participation by women in all decision-making – and transforming gender-based power dynamics in peace and security – will result in a "giant steps forward" in towards sustaining peace.
As we gather today on the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, I call on all member states to urgently take all the required measures to facilitate women’s meaningful participation and ensure parity in all aspects and levels of decision making on peace and security and in public life.
I look forward to hearing from our inspiring panellists which includes several women and a very committed gentleman and ally who have been deeply engaged in peacebuilding.
Thank you.