Structural Exclusion of Women in Peace Processes Undermines Lasting Peace
Original framing: “Women Peacebuilders: The Missing Voices at the Negotiating Table” — Global Issues
Indigenous women have long served as peacekeepers and mediators in their communities, drawing on ancestral knowledge of conflict resolution and restorative justice. Their exclusion from formal peace processes reflects a broader erasure of indigenous systems of governance and knowledge.
The systemic exclusion of women from formal peace processes is not merely an oversight but a structural outcome of patriarchal and state-centric power dynamics.
Women peacebuilders, particularly those from marginalized and indigenous communities, have long been de facto architects of peace at the community level. Their exclusion undermines the sustainability of peace agreements and perpetuates cycles of violence. By institutionalizing gender-inclusive peace processes, supporting grassroots women-led initiatives, and integrating cross-cultural and indigenous conflict resolution models, we can move toward more holistic and lasting peace. Historical evidence and scientific research confirm that including women in peacebuilding leads to more durable outcomes, and the trickster lens reminds us that the current system’s logic is flawed. A future of peace must be built by those who live in the shadows of conflict and who have the wisdom to transform it.