Performance and Challenges of UN Women in Sustainable Peace

When one talks about peace as a common interest of humanity and permanent necessity of getting rid of the root causes of violence and discrimination, the role of 3.5 billion (approximately 49%) women around the world cannot be disregarded. While females make up only a small minority of combatants and perpetrators of wars, they increasingly suffer the greatest harm. Women in war-hit societies face specific and devastating forms of violence which are sometimes used systematically to achieve military or political objectives. Coupled with discrimination and inequitable laws, violence against women prevents them from access to education, becoming financially independent and participating in decision making processes and peace building. Violence against women is, therefore, considered as a major threat to sustainable peace. For many years, commitment to developing a culture of peace has constituted the core of success in three key pillars of the United Nations: peace and security, sustainable development and human rights. However, the UN has faced serious challenges in its efforts to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, including inadequate funding and lack of a recognized drive to direct UN activities in these areas. Accordingly, on July 2010 the UN General Assembly formed UN Women, a dynamic entity for women and girls, providing them with a powerful voice at the international, regional and national levels.This article will examine UN efforts and challenges of building a sustainable peace, as well as the role and performance of UN Women in the past and future challenges.