Third, it is not enough to simply advocate the participation of women in peac...

Third, it is not enough to simply advocate the participation of women in peace processes. We need to provide concrete support for women to build the skills needed for meaningful involvement. And education is crucial. At the same time, social barriers blocking women's access to peace processes need to be addressed. Since men are also a part of the equation, civic education and human rights programmes for both men and women at the community level can help lift these barriers and hammer home the importance of gender inclusiveness. We must also support civil society organizations, in particular women's groups, which are vital to creating better links among women and between state and community.