The Missing Voices in Peace Talks: Why Are Women and Local Communities Often Excluded?

Imagine peace talks about a village destroyed by war. Leaders talking about power borders but not women, women who kept their families alive or the residents who lost their houses not invited in any talks so does the agreement meet the real needs of people?

Women and local communities affected by conflict, their school safety and missing family members all are affected by the conflict. But here are the twist negotiations often dominated by political leaders and powers. Women's low representation is continuously highlighted by the United Nations.

Like in Yemen women peace builders often contribute and dialogues and humanitarian crises there experience help negotiators to look into matters which are ignored in high level meetings.

Governments involve local voices. It doesn't mean that these agreements completely disappear, it just simply means that the government has the trust and attention of people. Women and local community representatives have a real role in the decision making; they are not just invited for photographs.

In the time of crisis they find a practical solution of rebuilding the trust. They have people to reopen schools and also help displaced families return home safely.

Peace is more than people just signing agreements. It also improves the life of people who are affected by the conflict and involving women and local community representatives may help make peace talks more meaningful.