Vermot Advocates for Women in Peace Negotiations

Ruth-Gaby Vermot, a former Swiss parliamentarian, has promoted women’s involvement in peace negotiations for over 20 years. She initially nominated one thousand women for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Vermot believes women are essential to lasting peace because they prioritize everyday concerns like education and healthcare alongside issues of weaponry and power.

She points out that UN Resolution 1325 has called for equal participation of women in peace processes for over two decades, yet women remain largely excluded. Vermot describes how women in Sudan employ “shuttle diplomacy,” directly confronting warring parties with demands. In Ukraine, she connects women in exile with those still near the front lines to build a shared vision for peace.

Vermot acknowledges the frustration that women often perform the bulk of peace work while men dominate the negotiating table. She stresses that peace requires dialogue, even with adversaries, and women must be included in these conversations. The challenge of ensuring women’s voices are heard in major conflicts persists.