GWL Voices at the Munich Security Conference: Advancing Women's Leadership in Global Security

As the world’s foremost security and foreign policy experts gather in Germany for the Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2025, GWL Voices will be actively contributing to the discussions, advocating for a more inclusive and gender-responsive approach to global security.

Our Executive Director, María Fernanda Espinosa, will be attending the MSC to highlight the urgent need for women’s leadership and representation in peace and security decision-making. At a time when geopolitical tensions are rising, conflicts are evolving, and multilateralism is being tested, it is more critical than ever to ensure that women's voices are at the table—not as an afterthought, but as essential actors in shaping solutions.

Women, Peace, and Security: A Core Pillar of GWL Voices' Agenda

The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda remains a fundamental pillar of GWL Voices' work. More than two decades after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, progress on gender equality in peace processes and security institutions remains uneven. Women continue to be underrepresented in peace negotiations, security councils, and conflict resolution efforts.

At the MSC, GWL Voices will advocate for the full implementation of the WPS agenda, ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated into security strategies, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding efforts. María Fernanda Espinosa will bring attention to the vital role that women play in fostering sustainable peace and addressing security challenges in an increasingly complex global landscape.

A Call for Action: Placing women at the center of multilateral solutions and Foreign Policy

As a network of women leaders who have held high-level positions in multilateral organizations, GWL Voices is committed to pushing for a women’s responsive approach to international relations—one that prioritizes inclusion, equality, and sustainable solutions. The Munich Security Conference provides a crucial platform to emphasize that security cannot be fully achieved without gender equity.

The MSC 2025 presents an opportunity to reinforce the need for leadership, vision and political commitment to rethink and reshape global governance. By engaging with policymakers, security experts, and multilateral organizations, GWL Voices will continue to push for greater gender balance in leadership roles, ensuring that women are not only present but are also shaping the international security agenda.