12 March 2025 - The EU has joined the UN Secretary General’s initiative for a Common Pledge for Women’s Full, Equal and Meaningful Participation in Peace Processes (UN Common Pledge) upon invitation by the United Nations (UN). By joining this pledge, the EU reiterates its commitment to advance women’s direct and meaningful participation in peace processes.
The UN Common Pledge is a commitment to advance women’s direct and meaningful participation in peace processes. As a global peace actor, the EU remains a steadfast supporter of the full implementation of the Women Peace and Security agenda. Women play a vital role in peace processes: having women at the negotiating table is a condition for achieving more sustainable peace.
~EU Ambassador for Gender and Diversity, Stella Ronner-Grubačić
On the 25th anniversary of the UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), the UN Common Pledge comes at a crucial moment. More and more people, including women, live in conflict-affected areas with a 50% increase compared to a decade ago. Women’s rights are infringed upon in many parts of the world. Women are underrepresented in peace processes as well as ceasefire negotiations.
European Union
The EU has provided targeted support in several conflict contexts, such as enhancing participation of women in the Middle East Peace Process, or engaging (young) women in the efforts for an inclusive political process for Sudan. In addition, the EU has been particularly focusing on supporting women as insider mediators.
By signing the Pledge, the EU commits to continue its efforts, notably, by supporting measures to ensure women’s direct and meaningful participation in peace processes, the appointment of women as lead mediators, and by securing gender expertise in mediation teams.