Globally, conflict and insecurity remain widespread, with the gendered impact of conflict intensifying the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence, forced recruitment into sexual slavery and trafficking, and early or forced marriage affecting young women. The adoption of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 marked a turning point, as it was the first time the Security Council acknowledged the disproportionate and specific impacts of armed conflict on women and girls. With subsequent resolutions that form the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, the UNSCR 1325 aims to expand women’s roles in conflict prevention and peacebuilding while enhancing their protection during conflicts. The adoption of UNSCR 1325 on WPS and UNSCR 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) has brought more attention to the roles of women and youths in peacebuilding. However, young women are still often left out of both the WPS and YPS frameworks. This exclusion ignores the valuable perspectives young women bring, especially in conflict zones where youth make up a large part of the population.
Even though they face age and gender-based obstacles, young women bring fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to conflict resolution. They are often the first to respond to conflict situations within their communities, whether by supporting survivors of violence or promoting the importance of peace and social cohesion. However, young women in conflict-affected areas face unique challenges which, if left unaddressed, perpetuate marginalisation, insecurity, and injustice. Therefore, it is crucial to invest in the empowerment, participation, and leadership of young women. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and gender-sensitive approach to peacebuilding and conflict prevention, which not only helps stop the radicalisation of young women but also strengthens their role in reducing violence around them.
To effectively promote women’s roles in peace and security, it is vital to implement policies that formally integrates the perspectives of young women into the WPS agenda. This is because young women bring unique insights and voices that deserve representation in decision-making processes. Such policies should recognise young women as a distinct group within the WPS framework, ensuring they receive appropriate representation and support in peacebuilding efforts. This could be achieved by the introduction of a Young Women Leaders for Peace Programme within all WPS National and Regional Action Plans. For example, the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) has a “Young Women Leaders for Peace” programme that strengthens young women’s leadership and peacebuilding skills in conflict-affected areas. By adopting a global-local approach, the programme effectively links the WPS agenda to the YPS agenda.
As a young peacebuilder and a beneficiary of several young women centred programmes, I have witnessed the obstacles that women face in peacebuilding, as well as the powerful impact of targeted support for young women. Drawing from my own experience, I offer the following policy recommendations to strengthen women’s involvement in peace and security: Firstly, it is crucial to develop programmes specifically designed for young women in peacebuilding. From my experience, programmes designed for young women provide focused support, helping us overcome challenges that broader initiatives might overlook. Young women bring fresh insights to peacebuilding and often suggest innovative solutions to conflict that can go unnoticed without dedicated support.
Providing training and mentorship opportunities is equally crucial, as many young women have a strong interest in peace and security but often lack the skills and knowledge needed to engage effectively. Organisations and WPS stakeholders should develop training programmes specifically for young women. These programmes not only build essential technical skills but also create a supportive network for these youths. By offering focused training in areas like mediation, public speaking, and advocacy, organisations can enable young women to become capable peacebuilders. For instance, the GNWP’s Young Women Leaders for Peace programme equipped me with leadership, conflict resolution, and advocacy skills, empowering me to contribute to peacebuilding efforts in my community and beyond actively. Additionally, establishing mentorship programmes can facilitate intergenerational collaboration, where young women benefit from the experience of experienced women peacebuilders while older women gain fresh insights from the youth. From my experience, mentorship has played a vital role in enhancing my confidence and helping me navigate the complexities of peacebuilding.
Furthermore, it is vital to establish clear pathways for young women’s participation in decision-making processes. One of the most significant challenges I have observed is the absence of such pathways, which hinders young women from engaging in peace and security decisions. Despite our capabilities and eagerness to contribute, young women are often excluded from the forums where key decisions are made, limiting our potential impact. Through my involvement with the Global Youth Advisory Council of the USAID-funded Youth Excel Programme and various youth networks, I have recognised the importance of having structured mechanisms that deliberately include young women, particularly when it comes to influencing decision-making. To improve young women’s participation in peace and security, organisations could establish youth advisory boards or allocate seats specifically for young women in peace negotiations. These boards should feature a diverse group of young women leaders who can offer insights and propose policies shaped by youth perspectives. Such structures would ensure our voices are heard and provide us with an avenue to influence policies that directly affect our lives.
Likewise, it is essential to allocate targeted funding to young women-led peace initiatives. From my experience, funding remains a significant challenge for many youth-led peace projects, and without adequate financial support, it becomes difficult to sustain or expand our efforts, even when we are motivated and have a clear vision for change. Organisations should create grant opportunities specifically for youth-led initiatives, thereby empowering young women to lead peacebuilding efforts.
In conclusion, young women play a transformative role in peacebuilding and incorporating the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda into the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) framework can significantly enhance the promotion of women’s involvement in peace and security. By adopting a youth-centred approach within the WPS agenda, policymakers ensure that the unique perspectives, needs, and contributions of young women are integrated into peace processes.