Leading the department’s initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean, she works closely with local authorities and organizations, as well as women and indigenous communities to promote gender equality.
“People finally began to recognize that women are not only affected by conflicts, but are also key to resolving them,” Ms. Flores said of the inclusion of women in conflict resolution. “This is about ensuring that women have a seat at the table when peace is negotiated and that their voices are heard in the decisions that shape recovery and security.”
Indigenous leader Otilia Lux de Cotí representing Guatemala at a conference.
Record of deputies
Last year, nearly 700 million women lived within 50 kilometers of a deadly conflict, according to the United Nations Secretary-General’s report on Women, Peace and Security.
Sexual violence has increased 87 percent in the past two years, while nine out of 10 peace processes excluded female negotiators.
However, on the 25thth The anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda serves as a reminder that progress has been made. The Americas region had the highest average number of women in parliament globally: Caribbean countries averaged 41 percent, South America 31.9 percent and Central America 30.8 percent, Ms. Flores said.
Countries such as Mexico, Chile and Colombia adopted foreign policies aimed at promoting gender equality in diplomacy, peacebuilding and development.
Despite encouraging development, gender violence in the region remains “alarmingly” high, with at least 11 women murdered every day in Latin America.
— Laura Flores
“These policies are still new and will need strong support and coordination to really take hold, but they are a sign of progress,” he praised.
Regional strengths, but still challenges
The UN promotes the protection of women in conflict and participation in negotiations, but it is up to countries to implement women, women and men in their policies. In Chile, the UN assisted a commission launched by the country’s president to address the root causes of the conflict affecting indigenous communities. It specifically considered the challenges faced by indigenous Mapuche women and the majority of the commission’s proposals came from women.
Last year, Ms. Flores’ department helped develop Colombia’s first national action plan in line with Resolution 1325. Meanwhile, in Haiti, DPPA works closely with UN Women – the UN’s lead entity for gender equality – to support women and girls, especially survivors of gender-based violence.
Despite hopeful development, gender violence in the region remains “alarmingly” high, with at least 11 women murdered every day in Latin America, Flores said.
Political violence and digital harassment against women leaders continues to rise, while in some countries like Haiti, inclusion in politics remains low amid high levels of sexual violence.
“The region has momentum, but it needs protection, investment and political will to continue moving forward,” Ms. Flores emphasized.
Ceremonial ritual of the Mapuche Indigenous People in Chile.
Moving forward, hand in hand
Indigenous peoples, who make up more than 467 million of the world’s population, are often denied the right to live in accordance with their cultural values and face exclusion from political processes.
“Indigenous women are often the most affected by conflict, but they are also incredibly resilient and critical to peace efforts,” noted Ms. Flores.
One of those resilient women is Otilia Lux de Cotí, an indigenous leader and the only Mayan K’iche’ minister included in the Guatemalan government in 2000.
Ms. Lux played an important role in documenting specific forms of violence suffered by women and indigenous people during the country’s civil conflict.
Indigenous women authorities have played a fundamental role in defending democracy, particularly during the 2023 elections, when the peaceful transfer of power was at risk.
— Otilia Lux de Cotí
“I am the daughter of the Guatemalan war,” Lux told us in an interview.
More than 200,000 lives were lost in the conflict that began in 1962 and lasted around three decades. Since the signing of the peace agreement in 1996, the country has made progress in promoting women’s rights, many of which are driven by women themselves.
“More recently, indigenous authorities have played a critical role in defending democracy, particularly during the 2023 elections, when the peaceful transfer of power was at risk,” Ms. Flores said.
In the electoral crisis of 2023, the Indigenous Peoples of Guatemala took to the streets and raised the traditional rods, or canes, symbols of their ancestral authorities, in defense of their vote.
“The decision to act was not made overnight; it was the consequence of a long process of discussion and consultation within our communities. We call this process Yacataj in K’iche’: a collective awakening of consciousness,” said Ms. Lux.
“That moment in which our ancestral symbols were raised was not simply a protest, it was an act of democratic participation seen through indigenous eyes,” he added.
Just as Resolution 1325 urged countries to “ensure greater representation of women at all levels of decision-making” for conflict prevention and resolution, women like Lux advance democracy by “refusing to remain silent.”