Vatican promotes women's leadership in peacebuilding and Church roles

The Vatican is advocating for a greater role for women in peacebuilding efforts and global leadership. During the United Nations High-Level Forum on the Implementation of the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission emphasized that women’s leadership is essential to rebuilding societies affected by violence and disorder.

The mission expressed concern over a growing ‘culture of power’ where war is becoming normalized, arguing that diplomacy based on respectful dialogue is increasingly necessary to foster a culture of peace. This approach aligns with UN goals of promoting justice, gender equality, and inclusive decision-making.

Internally, the Catholic Church is seeing a rise in women holding leadership positions. Sister Nathalie Becquart, Undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, noted that under Pope Francis, more women are being appointed to leadership roles within Vatican institutions and local dioceses. This includes increased participation of both religious and lay women as expert consultants to Vatican dicasteries and commissions, as well as leadership roles in organizations like Caritas and Catholic universities.