UN Chief Guterres Warns of Backsliding on Women, Peace, and Security Agenda

United Nations, October 7, 2025: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the lack of meaningful progress on the women, peace, and security agenda during an annual open debate of the Security Council. “Too often, we gather in rooms full of conviction and commitment, only to fall short when it comes to real change in the lives of women and girls caught in conflict,” he said, according to Xinhua news agency.

Guterres highlighted the persistent gaps in inclusion, protection, and leadership. “We speak of inclusion, yet far too frequently women remain absent from negotiating tables. We speak of protection, yet sexual violence persists with impunity. We speak of leadership, yet women peacebuilders are underfunded, under threat, and under-recognized,” he said, adding that these failures affect everyone—women and men, girls and boys alike.

Marking 25 years since Security Council Resolution 1325 was adopted, the Secretary-General warned that gains for women in conflict zones remain fragile and, in some cases, are reversing. He noted troubling global trends: rising military spending, increased armed conflicts, and escalating brutality against women and girls. Last year, 676 million women lived within 50 kilometers of deadly conflict events—the highest number in decades. Sexual violence surged, with documented cases against girls increasing by 35 percent, while maternal mortality rose in crisis zones. Girls are increasingly being pulled from school, and women in public life—politicians, journalists, and human rights defenders—face targeted violence and harassment.

Guterres also underscored the critical role of women-led organizations in conflict areas. “While these groups remain lifelines for millions, they are being starved of resources,” he said. A recent UN Women survey found that 90 percent of local women-led organizations in conflict settings face financial distress, with nearly half expecting to shut down within six months.

Calling for urgent action, Guterres emphasized that the women, peace, and security agenda must deliver measurable outcomes: more women shaping peace agreements, security reforms, and recovery plans; more survivors accessing justice and essential services; and more communities benefiting from the full participation of all their members.

“Resolution 1325 is clear: women are leaders of peace for all. The world does not need more reminders of that truth—it needs more results that reflect it,” he concluded, urging immediate and tangible progress to protect and empower women in conflict zones.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)