Peace talks are a complex business. Whether they succeed or fail depends on everything from events on the battlefield to perceptions of who is winning and losing. Even if all parties involved in a conflict have a genuine interest in finding a solution, navigating their differences can be incredibly difficult. But that doesn’t mean that the process should stop. In fact, it’s vital to find innovative ways to move forward.
The current Ukraine negotiations offer a window of opportunity, largely because they come at a time when both sides are feeling the pinch of an economic war with Russia. The regime is eager to end the fighting and get its weapons back, while the rebels are desperate to keep their dwindling forces together to fight on. But even with these limited openings, the chances of a successful agreement remain slim.
A key factor in the success of any negotiations is how they’re conducted. And here too, the experience of previous conflicts teaches us some valuable lessons. Among other things, it’s crucial to address the root causes of a conflict. While tackling poverty, global inequalities and exploitation isn’t easy, it will help reduce the likelihood of future conflict and pay dividends if it’s tackled early on in the peace process.
The other critical lesson is that gender equality is essential to a successful peace process. All mediators, envoys and leaders of peace processes must guarantee that women’s participation is equal and meaningful, and all barriers to their participation, whether legally or in practice, are eliminated. And they should commit to support women’s systematic engagement by providing incentives like training, logistical assistance and adding delegate seats.