Global: Dismantling Barriers to Women's Leadership in Building Peace

Jun 25, 2025 | UN OHCHR
UN OHCHR
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“Peace needs to be inclusive and requires the participation of every citizen of society, not only half of it. Neglecting women from peacebuilding efforts misses the solutions for a lasting peace.”

Zebiba Musema is a member of the Ethiopian Women Human Rights Defenders Network, and has been active promoting the participation of women in Ethiopia’s transitional justice process.

Women, in all their diversity, have worked in diplomacy for generations, helping build peace in their communities like Musema.

Yet their contributions have often been overlooked and undermined, as they continue to face many barriers to a meaningful participation and leadership in peace and security processes.

Dismantling these deep-rooted obstacles was the topic of a panel discussion organized by UN Human Rights at the 59th session of the Human Rights Council to commemorate this year’s International Day of Women in Diplomacy.