The landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325 was described as a “real game-changer” by Laura Flores, Americas Division Director at the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), in an interview with UN News. She emphasized that the resolution fundamentally shifted global perceptions by recognizing that women are not just victims of conflict but essential agents in building peace. Leading DPPA’s efforts across Latin America and the Caribbean, Ms. Flores collaborates with governments, women’s organizations, and Indigenous communities to strengthen gender equality and ensure women’s inclusion in peace and security processes.
According to the UN Secretary-General’s report on Women, Peace and Security, nearly 700 million women lived within 50 kilometers of deadly conflict last year, while sexual violence surged by 87 percent over the past two years. Despite these alarming figures, women continue to be excluded from most peace negotiations, with nine out of ten processes lacking female participation. Still, the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda highlights notable progress. The Americas lead globally in women’s parliamentary representation, with Caribbean nations averaging 41 percent, South America at 31.9 percent, and Central America at 30.8 percent. Several countries, including Mexico, Chile, and Colombia, have introduced feminist foreign policies to promote gender equality in diplomacy and peacebuilding.
The UN continues to support national efforts to integrate women into peace and security frameworks, though implementation remains uneven. In Chile, the organization assisted a presidential commission addressing conflicts affecting Indigenous communities, focusing particularly on Mapuche women. In Colombia, the DPPA helped design the country’s first national action plan aligned with Resolution 1325, while in Haiti, it works with UN Women to support survivors of gender-based violence. Yet, challenges persist—gender-based violence remains widespread, with 11 women murdered daily in Latin America. Women leaders also face increasing political violence and digital harassment, underscoring the need for greater protection and political commitment.
Indigenous women, often among the most affected by conflict, continue to play a crucial role in defending peace and democracy. Otilia Lux de Cotí, a Maya K’iche’ leader and Guatemala’s first Indigenous female minister, is one such figure who documented atrocities against women and Indigenous peoples during the nation’s decades-long civil war. She highlighted how Indigenous women have become defenders of democracy, particularly during Guatemala’s 2023 elections when communities united in a peaceful defense of their vote. This collective action, rooted in ancestral traditions and known as Yacataj—a collective awakening of consciousness—demonstrated the enduring spirit of Indigenous women in shaping democratic and peaceful societies.
Echoing the essence of Resolution 1325, Ms. Flores stressed that women like Ms. Lux embody the principle of ensuring women’s representation in decision-making roles. Their actions reinforce that gender equality is not merely an aspiration but a foundation for sustaining peace, justice, and democracy across the Americas.
