The Philippines said the world must do more to uphold women as agents of change and leaders in shaping conditions for lasting peace, asserting that when women are involved in peace processes, agreements will likely be reached.
"It is possible, and necessary," Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said Monday, Oct. 28, in his keynote remark during the International Conference on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) hosted by and held in Manila.
The Philippines' call came after citing the women's "under-representation" in peace processes.
According to data provided by the United Nations Women in 2023, Manalo said, women comprised only 9.6 percent of negotiators, 13.7 percent of mediators, and 26.6 percent of signatories to peace agreements globally on average.
For the Philippines, the figures are far too low.
Manalo also highlighted the growing number of women who are victims of gender-based violence in conflict-stricken areas.
In 2023, he said, there were 50 percent more cases of conflict-related sexual violence reported, while the number of women and girls affected by grave violations in armed conflicts increased by 35 percent.
"Even as I speak, conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan add a greater sense of urgency to implementing the Women Peace and Security agenda effectively," he added.
"These figures remind us this global agenda is profoundly relevant, but it is under stress. These figures call for reinforcing this agenda and making it a reality on the ground, in times of peace and conflict and in the transition towards peace," he added.
Aside from conflict, the Philippines noted the challenges arising from climate change, economic vulnerability and rising militarization that women face.
Manalo said the country is "deeply aware of these realities" after having seen how disasters can heighten vulnerabilities for women, especially most recently with the typhoons that hit the Philippines.
In many conflict zones, he said, women just bear a larger share of the burden when it comes to food insecurity, displacement, and resource shortages.
But women's resilience and leadership are critical in overcoming such challenges, he said.
That is why, Manalo said, the world must shift approaches, seeing women, not as victims to assist, but as agents of resilience, sources of rooted and robust solutions, and stewards of lasting peace.
What the world must do
Manalo believed that financing would provide a lifeline for global efforts to advance the agenda on women, peace and security.
His call stemmed from the insufficiency in financial support for women’s organizations and gender equality initiatives despite international commitments.
"In 2021–2022, only five percent of bilateral aid to conflict zones was dedicated to gender equality as a principal objective, far below the UN’s target of 15 percent," he noted.
Manalo believed that innovative financing mechanisms would bridge the gap and support the successful implementation of National Action Plans in over 100 countries.
Resourcing plans are also key to sustaining gains, localizing initiatives and fostering a vibrant environment for communities of private and public partners to collaborate on the WPS agenda, including through regional and global platforms.
Conference agenda
During the conference, world leaders are expected to adopt the Pasay Declaration on Women, Peace, and Security that will underscore the world's collective commitment to women’s participation, protection, and empowerment in all areas of peace and security.
The declaration would reaffirm the foundational commitments set forth in UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and related resolutions, calling for accelerated efforts to achieve gender equality and enhance women’s meaningful participation in conflict prevention, peace-building, and recovery processes.
In the conference, participants will also share best practices and strengthen regional cooperation for sustainable, gender-responsive peace frameworks and implementing practical strategies that promote women’s roles in all phases of peace and security.
There will also be sessions that will delve into the essential role of women in peace processes, with a particular focus on National Action Plans for Women, Peace, and Security, as well as address important issues such as the intersection of climate and security and financing for WPS initiatives.
"The reason why the Philippines decided to step up and host this international conference... is to contribute to international stocktaking in shaping a new consensus on the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda ahead of the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) - that will be next year in 2025," Manalo said.