Topic Summary
In armed conflict, violence against women is often a deliberate strategy, used to terrorise communities and force populations to flee. Women and girls from minorities face the greatest danger because they are targeted twice, for their gender and for their identity. Abductions, sexual slavery, forced marriage and forced conversion have been documented in conflicts as different as those faced by the Yazidi community in Iraq and Syria and by Rohingya women in Myanmar.
A strong legal framework exists, including the Geneva Conventions, the Rome Statute, Security Council Resolution 1325 and CEDAW General Recommendation 30, yet survivors rarely see justice and minority women are often excluded from the peace processes that decide their future. The committee will design practical safeguards for prevention, protection and accountability, balancing the duty to protect against state sovereignty.
About the Committee
The United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. Delegates examine how the international community can protect women and girls, and negotiate resolutions on their safety and rights.
Study Guide
Will be uploaded soon.
Chair's Letter
Esteemed Delegates,
Welcome to UN Women at SRH Berlin Model United Nations 2027. I am Vinayak Pundir, your Chairperson. I did not take this seat to host polite conversations or collect participation trophies. Gender equality is not optional, and the failures in front of us (gender-based violence, discrimination, unequal access to education, and the exclusion of women from leadership) are choices. They have names, patterns, and consequences that land hardest on women and girls.
This committee will not reward volume or recycled lines. It will reward precision, evidence, and the ability to dismantle a weak argument without raising your voice. Positions that treat women as symbols instead of full agents will not survive the room. Diplomacy that refuses to name inequality for what it is is not diplomacy. It is delay.
I look forward to seeing who actually came prepared.
Sincerely,
Vinayak Pundir
Chairperson, UN Women
SRH Berlin Model United Nations 2027
Vice Chair's Letter
Esteemed Delegates,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the UN Women Committee of SRH Berlin Model United Nations 2027. I am truly honored to serve as your Vice Chair, and I look forward to an engaging and memorable conference with all of you.
My name is Jennifer Marku, and I am currently studying in Berlin. Being part of Model United Nations offers a wonderful opportunity to explore international affairs, develop critical thinking, and understand the importance of diplomacy and cooperation. I am particularly passionate about gender equality, women’s empowerment, and creating a world where everyone has equal opportunities and rights.
In our committee, we will address important global challenges, including gender-based violence, discrimination, unequal access to education, and the underrepresentation of women in leadership. Although progress has been made, many challenges remain. I believe that gender equality is not simply a women’s issue, but a fundamental human right and a shared responsibility.
Throughout the conference, I encourage you to think critically, exchange perspectives, and approach discussions with an open mind. Do not be afraid to take initiative, propose creative solutions, and stand confidently behind your country’s position. Meaningful diplomacy is built on mutual understanding, cooperation, and the willingness to find common ground.
I look forward to hearing your ideas and working together towards a more equal and inclusive future. Most importantly, I hope you enjoy the experience, challenge yourselves, and leave the conference with new perspectives and lasting memories.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Marku
Vice Chair, UN Women
SRH Berlin Model United Nations 2027