The Coronavirus pandemic is a global disaster, it is crippling healthcare systems and impacts all of our day to day lives. The virus can infect anyone, but it does not affect everyone equally. For countries that have already been decimated by war, coronavirus presents a deadly challenge for healthcare systems already heavily depleted by fighting. People in Yemen, Syria, Libya, and other war-torn countries now face the fear of COVID-19 contagion on top of the realities of living in a war zone. Women in the most challenges places are working hard on the frontlines to address the virus and continue to build peace.

We need to make some noise to disrupt these structures and systems of power, to rebalance the agenda in favour of the women and men who work every day to build peaceful, equal and prosperous societies free from violence.

The 20th year anniversary is quickly approaching and together with the UN Secretary General’s call, this gives us another opportunity to push to transform the system. This won’t happen unless we stand in solidarity with women peacebuilders and tell world leaders that “She Leads”.

World leaders have a chance right now to save lives, and support countries to fight the coronavirus pandemic, but to do this they need to address the root causes of conflict to avoid further bloodshed. We believe that ‘building better’ cannot be business as usual. We need to push for a paradigm shift and transforming our peace and security architecture. It needs to represent the world as it is, not as it was. Focus its mission on achieving real peace not manage conflicts.

Sign this petition and join a global movement of real people who care and support women, and to push leaders to implement the Women Peace and Security agenda. Be counted and unite in calling for a world without violence and bloodshed.