HAMILTON, Canada

The UN Women chief on Monday urged the international community to boost funding for women-led organizations working in conflict zones, warning that declining financial support threatens progress made under the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.

Speaking at a UN Security Council session marking the upcoming 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous said the world is facing "rising military spending and renewed pushback against gender equality and multilateralism," which she warned "threaten the very foundation of global peace and security."

Bahous said that, despite "bold, admirable commitments," the last 25 years have witnessed "weak implementation and chronic underinvestment" in women's participation in peace processes.

"The secretary-general has just spoken about how current financing trends are endangering the viability and safety of women-led organizations in conflict-affected countries," she said. UN Women believes, she added, "there is no alternative but to change course and to invest significantly in women's organizations on the front lines of conflict."

While acknowledging the suffering caused by ongoing wars and displacement, Bahous said: "Despite the horrors of wars and conflict, women continue to build peace."

She joined UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in welcoming "the positive responses to President Donald Trump's proposal to end the Gaza war," calling for a lasting ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and humanitarian access.

Outlining five key priorities, Bahous urged "affirmative action to ensure women take their rightful place at the peacemaking tables," end violence and impunity against women, and ensure that accountability measures "make failures visible and have consequences."

"When women lead, peace follows," she said, noting, "We made a promise to them 25 years ago; it is past time to deliver."