Where are all the women? Macho politics is driving us to another world war

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump appear to be reshaping a new global order. File photo: Brendan Smialowski / AFP

A macho domination of global politics has led us to a terrifying place on the brink of possible World War Three.

As the world lurches from one crisis to another on an almost daily basis, it is men who are calling the shots on possible peace deals, trade tariffs and a ramping up of defence capabilities and security spending.

Where are all the women? Of course she would say that.

But international evidence shows that women’s participation in conflict prevention and resolution can improve outcomes before, during, and after war.

Women bring a different perspective and different approach, a notable example of this was the late Mo Mowlam who became known for throwing off her cancer wig onto the table during tense negotiations, which eventually led to the Good Friday Agreement.

When women lead peace talks and roundtables, peace lasts 20% longer, according to UN data.

It is for this reason that the UN Security Council adopted a resolution in the year 2000 which “urges member states to ensure increased representation of women at all decision-making levels in national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict”.

But between 1992 and 2019, women constituted just 13% of negotiators, 6% of mediators, and 6% of signatories in major peace processes around the world.

Instead of moving to a more inclusive style of political leadership at a time when trans-Atlantic tensions have risen to a level not seen in many decades, a group of men remain at the helm.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin appear to be reshaping a new global order with the US president also forging stronger links with Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, the first foreign leader to visit him in the White House.

Across the Atlantic British prime minister Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron are moving to rearm Europe with a series of emergency meetings being held this week. 

A crisis summit organised by Mr Starmer on Sunday was attended by Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who also attended the Lancaster House event, is often the only female voice heard, although her words do carry weight, at least on the European stage.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was the only female voice heard at the crisis summit held by British prime minister Keir Starmer on Sunday. File photo: AP/Mindaugas Kulbis

It is not just political leaders themselves that have led to an aggressively masculine stance, but the advisers and officials around them. With Mr Trump it is certainly a case of all the president's men, with tech-bros and hawkish personalists seated inside the president's Oval office.

As well as chief adviser Elon Musk, Mr Trump's high-profile team includes his bombastic vice president JD Vance and staunchly right wing secretary of state Marco Rubio.

Mr Trump has appointed Pete Hegseth, a military veteran and Fox News host with no prior political experience, as defence secretary; billionaire real estate investor Steve Witkoff is special envoy to the Middle East; Keith Kellogg has been made special envoy to Ukraine and Russia; and Mike Huckabee, a man who once suggested there is “no such thing as a Palestinian", has been appointed Ambassador to Israel.

One high-profile woman in the Trump administration is steely press secretary Karoline Leavitt. But as official spokesperson, her role is not an advisory one and instead she is sent out to doggedly defend the president and keep the media in check.

With another emergency summit happening in Brussels on Thursday, it is predominantly men who will continue to plot out the trajectory of war and peace.