TR
EN
Women’s Participation in the Middle East Peace Processes
Abstract
The exclusion of women from the negotiation of peace agreements and implementing bodies is one of the key reasons why so many peace agreements often fail and parties return to conflict. UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security Agenda and nine subsequent Resolutions provided a global framework for states to encourage women's participation at all decision-making levels, including management and resolution of conflict, peace negotiations, and peace operations. As a region overwhelmed with protracted conflicts, conflict resolution and peace are rare occurrences in the Middle East. This study will discuss women’s potential role in peace processes in the Middle East and the contribution of the UN’s Women, Peace & Security (WPS) Agenda. In this context, the prospects and problems regarding women’s participation in peace processes are discussed based on the review of the Middle East peace processes with the WPS agenda (Israel-Palestine & Yemen). To do this, the content of Palestine and Yemen’s National Action Plans (NAPs), the process used to develop the NAPs, and the commitments made to implement the WPS agenda are examined. Particular attention is given to the “participation” pillar of the WPS agenda. The findings from the review of the NAPs and two peace processes give insights to promote peace in the region.
Keywords
Thanks
The author is indebted to the recommendations made on the first draft of the article during the Workshop on SDGs in the Middle East.
References
- Ahram, A. I. (2024). In Search of a Middle East and North Africa Peace System, Contemporary Review of the Middle East, 11, 168-191.
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- Biddolph, C., L.J. Shepherd. (2024). WPS National Action Plans: Content Analysis and Data Visualisation, The University of Sydney. https://www.wpsnaps.org/
- Chugtai, S., P. Scott. (11 December 2015). Our Country, Our Peace: Why women must be included in Yemen’s peace process, Oxfam International. https://www.oxfam.org/en/research/our-country-our-peace-why-women-must-be-included-yemens-peace-process
- Council for Foreign Relations (CFR). (2019a). Women’s Participation in Peace Processes. https://www.cfr.org/womens-participation-in-peace-processes/
- Council for Foreign Relations (CFR). (2019b). Women’s Participation in Peace Processes: Israel and the Palestinian Territories Case Study. https://www.cfr.org/womens-participation-in-peace-processes/israel-and-palestinian-territories
- Council for Foreign Relations (CFR). (2019c). Women’s Participation in Peace Processes: Libya Case Study. https://www.cfr.org/womens-participation-in-peace-processes/libya-4
- Council for Foreign Relations (CFR). (2019d). Women’s Participation in Peace Processes: Syria Case Study: Current Peace Effort. https://www.cfr.org/womens-participation-in-peace-processes/syria
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
International Law, Conflict Resolution in International Relations
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
December 27, 2025
Submission Date
July 24, 2025
Acceptance Date
October 14, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 7 Number: 2
APA
Coşkun, B. B. (2025). Women’s Participation in the Middle East Peace Processes. Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Siyasal Bilgiler Fakültesi Dergisi, 7(2), 240-253. https://izlik.org/JA82YM98DY
AMA
1.Coşkun BB. Women’s Participation in the Middle East Peace Processes. NEU SBF Journal. 2025;7(2):240-253. https://izlik.org/JA82YM98DY
Chicago
Coşkun, Bezen Balamir. 2025. “Women’s Participation in the Middle East Peace Processes”. Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Siyasal Bilgiler Fakültesi Dergisi 7 (2): 240-53. https://izlik.org/JA82YM98DY.
EndNote
Coşkun BB (December 1, 2025) Women’s Participation in the Middle East Peace Processes. Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Siyasal Bilgiler Fakültesi Dergisi 7 2 240–253.
IEEE
[1]B. B. Coşkun, “Women’s Participation in the Middle East Peace Processes”, NEU SBF Journal, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 240–253, Dec. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA82YM98DY
ISNAD
Coşkun, Bezen Balamir. “Women’s Participation in the Middle East Peace Processes”. Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Siyasal Bilgiler Fakültesi Dergisi 7/2 (December 1, 2025): 240-253. https://izlik.org/JA82YM98DY.
JAMA
1.Coşkun BB. Women’s Participation in the Middle East Peace Processes. NEU SBF Journal. 2025;7:240–253.
MLA
Coşkun, Bezen Balamir. “Women’s Participation in the Middle East Peace Processes”. Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Siyasal Bilgiler Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 7, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 240-53, https://izlik.org/JA82YM98DY.
Vancouver
1.Bezen Balamir Coşkun. Women’s Participation in the Middle East Peace Processes. NEU SBF Journal [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 1;7(2):240-53. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA82YM98DY