In Canada Canada is concerned about the profound impact of military, political and social conflict around the world on civilian women and children, especially gender-based violence.
Women play an important role in creating peaceful societies and in finding alternatives to conflict.
To play a full and equal part in securing and maintaining peace, women must be politically and economically empowered and represented at all levels of decision-making. Around the World War and armed conflict impact differently on women and men. While men account for the largest number of combatants, women and children are disproportionately represented among civilians affected by conflict. Women are subject to gender-based violence and sexual exploitation, such as rape, forced marriage and forced pregnancy by opposing forces. Women and children also constitute the majority of refugees and internally displaced persons in the world.