An environment that maintains peace and promotes and protects human rights, democracy and peaceful reconciliation is an important factor for the advancement of women. Peace is inextricably linked with equality between women and men, and with development. As we have experienced recently in Fiji, the equal access to and full participation of women in power structures and in the prevention and resolution of conflicts are essential for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. Despite the progress made since the proclamation of the decade for women in 1975, gender disparities and unacceptable inequalities still remain. What is more, these negative conditions are further exacerbated by conflict.