Sonja Licht, President of the Foundation BFPE for a Responsible Society, distinguished sociologist and civic activist, spoke to UN Women on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
In the interview titled “Leading the march for peace: Women must not only be present at the table – they must be the building blocks of the process”, Sonja Licht reflected on the evolution of women’s roles in peacebuilding, the gendered perceptions that shape our understanding of war and security, as well as the challenges of ensuring women’s participation in decision-making processes.
Speaking from personal and professional experience, she recalled that women in the former Yugoslavia were among the first to stand up against warmongering narratives and that, despite the risks, they were building the foundations of civil society during the wars of the 1990s. “Their contribution to peace and human rights must be recognized, because women should not only sit at the table – they must be the building blocks of the process,” Licht emphasized.
In the conversation, she also stressed that gender imbalance in peace negotiations represents a serious obstacle to lasting peace, and that sustainable development and responsible governance cannot exist without the full participation of women.
This interview was published as part of the UN Women campaign “The Past, Present, and Future of Women, Peace, and Security,” marking the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325 and celebrating the contributions of 25 remarkable women from across Europe and Central Asia who have advanced peace, equality, and justice.
Read the full interview HERE.
This post is also available in SRP.
