As someone who has spent more than two decades in the gritty, exhausting, and often frustrating world of peace negotiations, I know firsthand that the road to lasting peace is neither straight nor smooth. But there is one truth that I have learned through it all: peace processes that exclude women are doomed to fail. Today [15 th November 2024] , in the House of Lords I strongly supported the Women, Peace and Security Bill [HL] which is all about giving women the voice they deserve in global peace talks and diplomacy.
It forces our Government to take women’s roles seriously in conflict prevention and foreign policy, making sure their input shapes decisions that affect us all. For women in the UK, it’s a big win — showing that Britain backs equality, values women’s leadership, and knows that putting women at the heart of decision-making creates a safer, fairer world for everyone. Let me be clear: involving women in peacebuilding is not a "nice-to-have" policy or an act of tokenism.
It is a proven strategy that increases the chances of achieving sustainable peace. Evidence shows that peace agreements are 35% more likely to endure for 15 years when women participate meaningfully in negotiations. For that reason alone, we must prioritize women’s inclusion — not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it works.
Yet, despite the international community’s commitments, progress has been slow. The United Nations resolutions cited in this Bill have shone a s.