Norica Nicolai, Åsa Westlund, and Lena Ag, underline the important role women can play in securing long-lasting peace and call for the international community to make firm commitments to gender equality.

The European Union was built on the ruins of world war II, with grievous insights of how much war costs, and a vision of ending devastating conflicts between neighbours. Peace is still at the core of the EU, mirrored in the union's ambition of playing a peacemaking role around the world. As we can see in the DR Congo and Afghanistan, peace is hard to build. The World Bank report from 2011 tells us that a majority of peace agreements fail and conflict erupt anew after a few years. It is painfully clear that the world needs new peace strategies and in that the EU can play a leading role. 

Studies show that the chances for peace to be rooted increases dramatically if the warring parties are joined by different groups in civil society, including women's organisations, at the negotiating tables. More than a decade ago, the UN security council (UNSC) adopted resolution 1325, arguing that gender equality is a precondition for peace and calling on member states to include women in peace processes and protect women in conflicts. The EU has followed by adopting policy documents, including the comprehensive approach on UNSC resolutions 1325 and 1820 on women, peace and security.

A new report from the Kvinna till Kvinna foundation, 'Equal power - lasting peace', reveals however that the gap between official rhetoric and grim reality for women on the ground is huge. 'Equal power - lasting peace' is based on interviews with women activists and other actors in conflict affected regions. It is clear that women in general are not recognised as relevant actors.

Read more [HERE].