On 5 November, The Elders and four women change-makers, activists and experts debated how to empower women in conflict and in peace-making, in a live-streamed public event.

Fourteen years ago, the UN Security Council officially recognised the importance of fully-involving women in all peace and security efforts in Resolution 1325. But when we look at peace talks, past and present, where are the women? Their voices are still not being heard.

Women make up half the world’s population, yet, of the 31 major peace processes since 1992, only 4 percent of participants were women. And only 2.5 percent of peace agreements were signed by women.

How can that be changed? How can we empower women to be represented at the decision-making table? How can they contribute to tackling the root causes of conflict?

To answer these questions, four Elders, together with The Carter Center, held a public live-streamed event with four women thought-leaders – peace-building experts and activists championing the inclusion of women.

Watch the video of the full discussion

The Elders debate with change-makers

To start off the debate, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson joined Asha Haji Elmi, peace activist in Somalia and founder of Save Somali Women and Children (SSWC) and Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, co-founder of the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN).

In the second half, Kofi Annan and Hina Jilani held a discussion with Manal Omar, Acting Vice-President of the Center for Middle East and Africa at the US Institute of Peace and Jessica Neuwirth, Honorary President and founder of Donor Direct Action

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Continue the debate online with the hashtag #WhereAreTheWomen.