International Conference on Women, Violence, and Peace Agreements
The International Conference on Women, Violence, and Peace Agreements, hosted in Montreal, CAN, focuses on the critical nexus between gender, conflict, and peacebuilding. This event brings together academics, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss the multifaceted challenges women face in conflict zones and their essential contributions to sustainable peace. The conference aims to foster dialogue and share research on how peace agreements can more effectively address gender-based violence and promote women's participation.
Committees & topics
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Women's Economic Recovery in Post-Conflict Societies
General Assembly First Committee (GA1)
Disarmament and International Security (GA1): Gendered Impacts of Small Arms and Explosive Weapons
General Assembly Second Committee (GA2)
Economic and Financial Affairs (GA2): Financing Gender-Responsive Peace and Reconstruction
Human Rights Council (HRC)
Human Rights Council: Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and Accountability
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Security Council (SC)
Security Council: Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
UN Women (UN Women)
UN Women: Women's Participation in Mediation and Peace Agreements
United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA)
United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA): Gender, Environmental Degradation, and Conflict
Why it matters
The inclusion of women in peace processes is not merely a matter of equity; it is a strategic imperative for achieving durable peace. Research consistently demonstrates that peace agreements are more robust and lasting when women are meaningfully involved in their negotiation and implementation. This conference provides a vital platform for examining the structural barriers that often exclude women from these critical discussions and for proposing actionable strategies to overcome them.
Understanding the specific forms of violence women endure during conflict, and how these are addressed (or not addressed) in peace agreements, is crucial. This includes not only direct physical violence but also systemic issues such as economic disenfranchisement, sexual exploitation, and the destruction of social support networks. By bringing these issues to the forefront, the conference contributes to a more comprehensive and gender-sensitive approach to post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation.
How to prepare
Delegates preparing for this conference should focus on developing a nuanced understanding of the intersectionality of gender, violence, and peace processes. This involves examining case studies from various global contexts to identify common challenges and successful interventions. Consider how different cultural and political landscapes influence the roles women play in conflict and peacebuilding, drawing insights from lessons such as "gender-dynamics-across-cultures."
Effective participation will also require familiarity with different approaches to stakeholder engagement in peace processes. Understanding who the "hidden-stakeholders" are, particularly women's groups and civil society organizations, and how to implement "engagement-strategies" to include them, will be beneficial. Delegates should be prepared to contribute to discussions on how to translate academic research into practical policy recommendations that can be implemented by governments and international organizations.
Country perspectives
Where the most-relevant 1 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile.
Topics & background
The background behind each topic and the actors that shape it.
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Women's Economic Recovery in Post-Conflict Societies
Key players
United StatesLargest donor to gender-focused development assistance and lead drafter of WPS financing language
NorwayCo-chair of past ECOSOC humanitarian segments and major funder of women's economic empowerment in fragile states
RwandaFrequently cited model for women's post-conflict economic and political integration
ColombiaImplementing the gender chapter of the 2016 peace accord with significant ECOSOC engagement
BangladeshLeading G77 voice on linking development finance to women's livelihoods in fragile contexts
General Assembly First Committee (GA1)
Disarmament and International Security (GA1): Gendered Impacts of Small Arms and Explosive Weapons
Key players
IrelandLead state on the EWIPA Political Declaration and gender-mainstreaming in disarmament
United KingdomMajor arms exporter and ATT state party engaged in GBV risk assessment guidance
RussiaPermanent Five member skeptical of expanding gender language in disarmament fora
MexicoChampion of humanitarian disarmament and gendered analysis of arms flows
South AfricaKey African voice linking small arms control to WPS implementation
General Assembly Second Committee (GA2)
Economic and Financial Affairs (GA2): Financing Gender-Responsive Peace and Reconstruction
Key players
GermanyMajor donor advancing feminist development policy in FfD negotiations
KenyaCo-host of FfD4 and African Group voice on debt and gender financing
JapanSignificant ODA donor with a WPS National Action Plan focused on financing
BrazilG20 leader pushing reform of development finance with gender dimensions
PakistanG77 chair voice on financing for post-conflict and climate-vulnerable states
Human Rights Council (HRC)
Human Rights Council: Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and Accountability
Key players
- United Kingdom
Lead state on the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI)
Democratic Republic of the CongoSite of long-running CRSV crisis and home to Nobel laureate Denis Mukwege's accountability advocacy
IraqCountry whose treatment of Yazidi survivors shapes reparations and accountability debate
UkraineCurrently documenting CRSV by Russian forces through a Commission of Inquiry
ChinaInfluential HRC voice resistant to country-specific accountability mechanisms
ArgentinaCross-regional leader on survivor-centered transitional justice
International Organization for Migration (IOM): Protecting Displaced Women from Conflict-Related Violence
Key players
SudanSource of the world's largest current displacement crisis with severe CRSV reports
TurkeyHosts the largest refugee population globally, including millions of Syrian women
- Germany
Top European destination state and major IOM donor on protection programming
- Bangladesh
Hosts Rohingya refugees with acute gender-based violence concerns
- United States
Largest IOM donor shaping protection priorities and resettlement policy
- Colombia
Manages large Venezuelan displaced population and integrates gender protection
Security Council (SC)
Security Council: Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
Key players
- United States
Permanent Member and historical champion of WPS resolutions and sanctions tools
- United Kingdom
Permanent Member leading on PSVI and WPS sanctions designations
FrancePermanent Member promoting a feminist diplomacy approach within the Council
- Russia
Permanent Member that has sought to narrow WPS language in recent texts
- China
Permanent Member emphasizing state-led approaches to women's protection
Sierra LeoneElected member and African voice on post-conflict women's participation
UN Women (UN Women)
UN Women: Women's Participation in Mediation and Peace Agreements
Key players
SwedenLong-time WPS donor and architect of feminist foreign policy frameworks
- South Africa
Anchor of the FemWise-Africa mediator network
PhilippinesCited model for women's role in the Bangsamoro peace process
AfghanistanCautionary case after the collapse of women's gains following 2021
- Colombia
Reference case for a peace accord with a dedicated gender subcommission
CanadaCo-chair of WPS focal points network and major UN Women donor
United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA): Gender, Environmental Degradation, and Conflict
Key players
- Kenya
Host of UNEP headquarters and lead voice on climate-security linkages in Africa
ChadLake Chad Basin state at the center of climate-conflict-gender debates
- Norway
Major funder of environmental peacebuilding and gender-environment programming
FijiPacific SIDS voice linking climate displacement, security, and women's rights
- Iraq
Case study of post-conflict environmental damage with gendered impacts
SwitzerlandLong-standing supporter of the PERAC principles and environment-conflict agenda
Resources
News, lessons, and country profiles to prep for International Conference on Women, Violence, and Peace Agreements.
Recent reporting to ground your prep
Lessons
Bite-sized lessons to build the basics
Courses
Guided courses that go deeper on the topic
The states in play, with the data that shapes their stance
CanadaCountry dossier
United StatesCountry dossier
NorwayCountry dossier
RwandaCountry dossier
ColombiaCountry dossier
BangladeshCountry dossier
IrelandCountry dossier
United KingdomCountry dossier
RussiaCountry dossier
MexicoCountry dossier
South AfricaCountry dossier
GermanyCountry dossier
KenyaCountry dossier
JapanCountry dossier
BrazilCountry dossier
PakistanCountry dossier
Democratic Republic of the CongoCountry dossier
IraqCountry dossier
UkraineCountry dossier
ChinaCountry dossier
ArgentinaCountry dossier
SudanCountry dossier
Country dossier
FranceCountry dossier
Sierra LeoneCountry dossier
SwedenCountry dossier
PhilippinesCountry dossier
AfghanistanCountry dossier
ChadCountry dossier
FijiCountry dossier
SwitzerlandCountry dossier