UNITED NATIONS — UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for stronger action to ensure women help shape peace negotiations, warning that lasting stability depends on their meaningful participation.

Speaking at the Security Council’s October 27 meeting on women, peace and security, Guterres urged governments and international organizations to turn commitments into concrete opportunities for women to influence decisions affecting their communities.

“Peace processes are more likely to endure when women participate meaningfully in advancing them,” he said. “Stability is more achievable when women have equal opportunity to shape the future of their communities.”

The Secretary-General said durable peace must reflect the leadership, aspirations and contributions of women and girls. He pointed to binding targets and quotas as practical measures to increase women’s participation in peace processes.

Guterres highlighted the UN’s Common Pledge for Women’s Full, Equal, and Meaningful Participation in Peace Processes, saying more than 40 entities—including countries and international and regional organizations—have adopted it since its launch two years ago. He urged those supporters to deliver on their commitments.

He also stressed that peace talks, ceasefires and agreements must address the diverse needs of women and girls.

Funding and Accountability

Guterres called on countries to meet their official development assistance commitments and urgently restore funding to organizations supporting women and girls in conflict settings.

He demanded full accountability for violence against women and girls, saying the United Nations would continue documenting violations, advocating for justice and seeking commitments to end such abuses.

The Secretary-General also renewed his appeal to lift all restrictions on women humanitarian workers and ensure their protection as they deliver lifesaving assistance.

His message placed women’s leadership, safety and access to resources at the center of efforts to build lasting peace—and called on governments to match their pledges with action.