he United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the most potent international bodies, and its authorities decide on issues ranging from international peacekeeping and security to sanctions and military actions. Despite its critical role and the progress toward gender parity in many global institutions, there has never been a female secretary general, nor has there been adequate representation of women among holders of security council seats. This historical gender imbalance is a glaring oversight in a society working toward gender equality. Women bring a unique perspective to international spaces such as conflict prevention, negotiation, and community rebuilding. For instance, Angela Merkel's leadership in the European Union and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's presidency in Liberia have demonstrated the positive impact of female leadership in international politics.
On 31 October 2000, the UNSC adopted Resolution 1325, a groundbreaking step in addressing the critical role of women in peace, security, and conflict resolution. The resolution emphasizes the shift in UN policy to engage more females in peacekeeping operations and stresses the critical role of equal participation in maintaining peace and security. This October marked 24 years since the resolution was passed, and the UN has adopted several resolutions to address the underrepresentation of women in UN peace operations. Despite such efforts, the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles within the UNSC persists. A UN Report states, “From 1990–2022, a mere 8% of its Permanent Representatives were women… Only 26 women Permanent Representatives have served on the Security Council between 1946 and today.” While the UN has established initiatives such as the Gender Parity Strategy (2017–2028) to promote women’s participation, these efforts have not yielded significant results in the context of the UNSC. Without robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, resolutions risk becoming empty promises.
Female leadership in the UNSC could foster more inclusive peace negotiations, ensuring that agreements are sustainable and address the root causes of conflict. Research has shown that peace agreements with female participation are more likely to be successful, and countries with greater gender equality are less likely to resort to conflict. For instance, UN data indicates that peace agreements involving women are 35% more likely to endure for at least 15 years. With their community–based approach, women are more inclined to reconcile and rebuild social cohesion over political or military solutions, working closely with local communities to understand their needs and implement grassroots solutions. This potential for positive change is a reason to push for female leadership in the UNSC.
The norm for the Security Council has been a militarized understanding of security, which is focused on states' capability to defend against external threats. More women in the UNSC would highlight human security issues, education, health, and protecting vulnerable populations. This approach aligns with the modern understanding of global security challenges—including climate change, pandemics, and cyber threats. With more female leaders, we can push the UNSC to adopt strategies that address immediate threats and their underlying causes. For example:
- Women have been the primary leaders in linking climate change to a security risk, advocating for policies that state the environmental drivers of conflict.
- Female participation in peace negotiations is linked to more inclusive and sustainable outcomes.
- Women often advocate for broader representation, ensuring that marginalized voices are included and needs addressed in post–conflict reconstruction plans.
- Peace agreements shaped by women are more likely to include provisions for minority rights, community rebuilding, and social cohesion.
The benefits of more women in the UNSC extend beyond its immediate impact on peace agreements, social issues, and community–based approaches. As the UNSC inspires women and girls worldwide to pursue governance, diplomacy, and policymaking roles, women’s increasing representation would lead to a cultural shift that would amplify gender equality and empowerment on a global scale. Women in the UNSC will likely approach leadership that can convey an inclusive and transformative lens, prioritizing policies that promote equality and elevate marginalized groups. As young girls see women representing their countries in critical decisions, they grow up with the confidence to envision themselves in similar positions of influence. This empowerment reshapes aspirations and challenges entrenched gender stereotypes, creating a more equitable world.
The United Nation Security Council represents the highest echelons of diplomacy, and ultimately, increasing women’s representation in the UNSC is about more than fairness; it’s about fostering a new paradigm of leadership that prioritizes inclusivity, innovation, and equity. By doing so, the UNSC becomes a more effective body and a beacon of progress, demonstrating that empowering women is essential for building a peaceful world. Women’s leadership at the UNSC fosters a culture of inclusivity, equity, and innovation, and increasing women’s involvement ensures that the world’s most vulnerable populations are protected and empowered. This approach addresses immediate threats and builds a foundation for lasting peace and equality.
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Benefits of gender parity on the UN Security Council
UN Security Council. Image courtesy of Zack Lee on Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
January 28, 2025
There’s a major gender gap on the UN Security Council, despite acknowledgments by the council itself that women have a critical role to play in peace, security, and conflict resolution, writes Anoussa Salim.
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he United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the most potent international bodies, and its authorities decide on issues ranging from international peacekeeping and security to sanctions and military actions. Despite its critical role and the progress toward gender parity in many global institutions, there has never been a female secretary general, nor has there been adequate representation of women among holders of security council seats. This historical gender imbalance is a glaring oversight in a society working toward gender equality. Women bring a unique perspective to international spaces such as conflict prevention, negotiation, and community rebuilding. For instance, Angela Merkel's leadership in the European Union and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's presidency in Liberia have demonstrated the positive impact of female leadership in international politics.
On 31 October 2000, the UNSC adopted Resolution 1325, a groundbreaking step in addressing the critical role of women in peace, security, and conflict resolution. The resolution emphasizes the shift in UN policy to engage more females in peacekeeping operations and stresses the critical role of equal participation in maintaining peace and security. This October marked 24 years since the resolution was passed, and the UN has adopted several resolutions to address the underrepresentation of women in UN peace operations. Despite such efforts, the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles within the UNSC persists. A UN Report states, “From 1990–2022, a mere 8% of its Permanent Representatives were women… Only 26 women Permanent Representatives have served on the Security Council between 1946 and today.” While the UN has established initiatives such as the Gender Parity Strategy (2017–2028) to promote women’s participation, these efforts have not yielded significant results in the context of the UNSC. Without robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, resolutions risk becoming empty promises.
Female leadership in the UNSC could foster more inclusive peace negotiations, ensuring that agreements are sustainable and address the root causes of conflict. Research has shown that peace agreements with female participation are more likely to be successful, and countries with greater gender equality are less likely to resort to conflict. For instance, UN data indicates that peace agreements involving women are 35% more likely to endure for at least 15 years. With their community–based approach, women are more inclined to reconcile and rebuild social cohesion over political or military solutions, working closely with local communities to understand their needs and implement grassroots solutions. This potential for positive change is a reason to push for female leadership in the UNSC.
The norm for the Security Council has been a militarized understanding of security, which is focused on states' capability to defend against external threats. More women in the UNSC would highlight human security issues, education, health, and protecting vulnerable populations. This approach aligns with the modern understanding of global security challenges—including climate change, pandemics, and cyber threats. With more female leaders, we can push the UNSC to adopt strategies that address immediate threats and their underlying causes. For example:
- Women have been the primary leaders in linking climate change to a security risk, advocating for policies that state the environmental drivers of conflict.
- Female participation in peace negotiations is linked to more inclusive and sustainable outcomes.
- Women often advocate for broader representation, ensuring that marginalized voices are included and needs addressed in post–conflict reconstruction plans.
- Peace agreements shaped by women are more likely to include provisions for minority rights, community rebuilding, and social cohesion.
The benefits of more women in the UNSC extend beyond its immediate impact on peace agreements, social issues, and community–based approaches. As the UNSC inspires women and girls worldwide to pursue governance, diplomacy, and policymaking roles, women’s increasing representation would lead to a cultural shift that would amplify gender equality and empowerment on a global scale. Women in the UNSC will likely approach leadership that can convey an inclusive and transformative lens, prioritizing policies that promote equality and elevate marginalized groups. As young girls see women representing their countries in critical decisions, they grow up with the confidence to envision themselves in similar positions of influence. This empowerment reshapes aspirations and challenges entrenched gender stereotypes, creating a more equitable world.
The United Nation Security Council represents the highest echelons of diplomacy, and ultimately, increasing women’s representation in the UNSC is about more than fairness; it’s about fostering a new paradigm of leadership that prioritizes inclusivity, innovation, and equity. By doing so, the UNSC becomes a more effective body and a beacon of progress, demonstrating that empowering women is essential for building a peaceful world. Women’s leadership at the UNSC fosters a culture of inclusivity, equity, and innovation, and increasing women’s involvement ensures that the world’s most vulnerable populations are protected and empowered. This approach addresses immediate threats and builds a foundation for lasting peace and equality.
