Women Influencing Multi-Stakeholder Peace Dialogue, Processes and Policy Spaces

Multi-stakeholder peace dialogues, processes and policy spaces are used in the broad sense of the words to include security and human security related issues, including processes related to concluding peace agreements and implementing them but also other emerging issues related to a broad understanding of peace. This includes not just the absence of conflicts and war (negative peace), but also dealing with root cases and societal attitudes that could prevent future violence which are needed for long-term sustainable positive peace.

This brief paper looks at women’s contribution, influence, and participation in peace processes under four areas:

• Peacemaking, including the participation of women in multitrack peace processes
• Peacekeeping, including the participation of women in peacekeeping
• Peacebuilding, including building a more just political process in the aftermath of conflicts and championing security sector reforms
• Prevention, Including engagement of women in prevention of disputes, in preventing and countering violent extremism, engendering the humanitarian space, and preparing National Action Plans on UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security

This paper seeks to draw lessons on how women have been participating as actors in influencing peace dialogue and processes related to the women, peace and security agenda in Europe and Central Asia. It also highlights challenges that need to be taken into consideration and offers recommendations to promote their greater contribution, influence, and participation in peace processes.