Women and girls: Exclusion has real consequences - Briefing | United Nations

Executive Director of UN Women Sima Bahous said, “not one of the 13 ceasefire agreements reached in 2025 included substantive references to women and girls. Not one prohibited sexual violence - even as UN-verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence doubled in just one year.” Bahous also said, “in conflict-affected settings, women are five times as likely to die from preventable maternal causes, and girls are two-and-a-half times as likely to be out of school, compared to those living in stable situations.” The Executive Director reiterated, “end impunity for crimes against women and girls, sanction and hold accountable those responsible for the killing, rape, sexual and gender-based violence, and gender persecution against women and girls.” “Protect women peacebuilders, human rights defenders and humanitarian workers from attacks and reprisals. Uphold international law and apply this Council’s women, peace and security framework consistently,” she concluded.