This month, I had the privilege of attending the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) as part of the Baha’i International Community’s delegation.

The role of women in conflict in Africa was one of the themes that caught my attention among the many discussed at the various parallel events. To be honest, I felt a sense of discomfort with the prevailing narrative that casts women primarily as victims, rather than as active agents—or even perpetrators—of conflict. 

While the heightened suffering of women in war is undeniable, this view oversimplifies their complex roles—not only in enduring violence but also in shaping peace and rebuilding societies. In the relevant discussions, I found myself longing for more voices challenging this limited perspective and advocating for a more nuanced understanding of women’s agency, leadership, and resilience.

The idea that women have multiple roles in conflict aligns with the principles outlined in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. This resolution underscores that sustainable peace is unattainable without the equal participation of women in decision-making. The Baha’i teachings echo this sentiment, stating: “When women participate fully and equally in the affairs of the world … war will cease.” Including women in leadership roles—not only in peace processes but across all sectors—strengthens the prospects for lasting peace. Research has shown that peace agreements are 35% more likely to endure for at least 15 years when women are involved in negotiations.

Women play essential roles before, during, and after conflict. I say this after looking at the diverse experiences of those affected across various African countries—some of whose ministers spoke at the CSW events. 

African Women Before Conflict – The Power of Prevention

Before conflict erupts, women often act as stabilizing forces within their communities. They nurture relationships, raise children, and maintain social cohesion, contributing to the resilience of their societies. 

In Liberia, for example, women played a pivotal role in peacebuilding efforts before and during the civil war. The “Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace” movement successfully pressured for peace talks, which ultimately led to the resolution of the second civil war. Similarly, during 2007-2008 post-election violence in Kenya, women organized peace efforts, creating safe spaces for dialogue across ethnic divides and significantly contributing to the de-escalation of the conflict.

However, systemic barriers to women’s participation in political spaces remain entrenched. Patriarchal structures, a lack of political representation, and societal norms often marginalize women’s voices, especially in pre-conflict scenarios where power dynamics are already skewed. These barriers are not only institutional but cultural—many women face the daily struggle of balancing traditional gender roles with their desire for political participation.

African Women During Conflict – Leading Change

When conflict breaks out, women’s roles evolve. Some are involved in combat, others support warring factions, and many work tirelessly to protect their communities. Even in dire circumstances, women consistently emerge as powerful agents of change, challenging traditional gender roles and working toward peace.

In Sierra Leone, women who survived sexual violence led grassroots resistance movements, advocating for peace and justice, and became critical stakeholders in reconciliation efforts. In Mali, women’s organizations worked across ethnic and political divides to ensure that women’s voices were heard in peace negotiations. In Democratic Republic of Congo, women in different zones of the conflict, diverse in terms of personal values and political and ideological orientations, were still able to organize for a common cause to demand an end to the war and fought for acceptance as either delegates or experts in the Sun City peace negotiation held in South Africa between 2002 and 2003.

Despite these significant contributions, women’s efforts in conflict resolution are often sidelined in formal processes. Gender biases and the prioritization of military and political leaders over grassroots peacebuilders frequently diminish their roles. The exclusion of women from formal peace negotiations limits the effectiveness of these processes and undermines the long-term stability of peace agreements. 

African Women After Conflict – Rebuilding Societies

Once the fighting stops, women bear a heavy burden of rebuilding their communities. They care for the wounded, tend to the displaced, and nurture the traumatized, playing an essential role in post-conflict recovery. Yet, despite their indispensable contributions, women’s work in reconstruction often goes unrecognized.

In South Africa, women were instrumental in post-apartheid reconstruction, pushing for marginalized voices to be heard in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Similarly, in Burundi, women-led initiatives have been vital in national peacebuilding efforts, ensuring that survivors of gender-based violence receive justice.

However, persistent patriarchal structures hinder women’s ability to fully participate in post-conflict reconciliation and reconstruction efforts. 

Conclusion: The Future of Peace

The history of armed conflict in Africa offers an undeniable lesson: war is fought not only on the battlefield but also in the political spaces where decisions about peace and war are made. When women are excluded from these spaces, societies become more vulnerable to violence. But when women are included—when their voices, perspectives, and leadership are valued—peace is far easier to reach.

Across Africa, there have been notable efforts to include women in peacebuilding processes. Countries such as Rwanda and South Africa have made significant strides in promoting women’s political participation, with women now holding key leadership positions. However, in many contexts, women’s contributions to the peace process are often informal, and their roles and efforts go unrecognized in formal peace processes. Otherwise, their representation in formal processes is largely symbolic, with little to no power to truly influence peace negotiations or political decision-making

Yet African women across the continent have proven that their participation in leadership is indispensable to lasting peace. Their involvement in decision-making—before, during, and after conflict—is not just beneficial; it is essential. To create the peaceful, stable world we all desire, we must empower women, support their leadership, and ensure that their voices are not only heard but truly valued. As the Baha’i teachings affirm, “Only as women are welcomed into full partnership in all fields of human endeavour will the moral and psychological climate be created in which international peace can emerge.” 

While challenges persist in fully recognizing and supporting women’s leadership, the future of peace depends on their inclusion. Now is the time to act. Whether by supporting women-led initiatives, advocating for gender equality in political spaces, or amplifying women’s voices, we all have a role to play in ensuring that peace is not a fleeting hope, but a lasting reality.

Daniel Hailu was a member of the Bahá’í International Community’s delegation to the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. He is a social development expert specializing in social protection and social inclusion issues, with consulting experience across organizations such as UN Women, UNICEF, ILO, IOM, the World Bank, USAID and FCDO.