Women should participate more in all aspects of social development as well as in geopolitical decision-making, negotiations and peace talks in the interests of sustainable peace, said Elisabeth Rehn, former under-secretary-general of the United Nations.
Their enhanced participation in international peacekeeping operations is also crucial to ensuring transformative justice, said Ms Rehn.
She made the remarks during her lecture on "The Role of Women in Securing Peace, Justice, and Well-Being" at the 8th Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Lecture on International Humanitarian Law last week. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Women must be included in all peace processes," she said. "Women and their organisations are experts on the building-up of society after peace agreements. Justice, education, social security, trauma counselling [are also important to fostering peace]," she said.
She also cited a global study commissioned by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) called "Preventing Conflict, Transforming Justice, Securing the Peace" to show how women's empowerment and gender equality contribute to successful peace talks.
"When women are at peace tables, their participation increases the probability of a peace agreement lasting for at least two years by 20%, and 35% over 15 years," she said. It can also accelerate economic recovery and counter violent extremism, she added.
Ms Rehn urged women to participate more in political decision-making.
She also referred to a study by US business consultancy Grant Thornton that collected information from 10,000 companies to support her argument.
The study demonstrates that including both genders in leadership roles results in decisions based on a variety of experiences and facts, she said.
Women's way of arriving at solutions can be slower than men's but their decisions tend to be more sustainable because they take longer to study and deliberate the issues, Ms Rehn said.
She said when she was appointed the first female defence minister of Finland she was met with scepticism and doubt from both her male and female peers.
Many cast doubt on her ability to make sound political judgements as a woman, she said. Despite these setbacks, she proved herself capable of holding the post.
She said female politicians and leaders still encounter scepticism but she pressed them to not be daunted.
"[Be] determined in working on your own road, and step by step you will get [their] appreciation," she said.
"Women must be present at all levels in all sectors [of society]. Whether it be politics or the economy, it's important they participate in building society. We need many more women looking into the well-being of normal people and opportunities for education and life."
According to UN Women, as of January 2017 a total of 10 women were serving as head of state and nine as head of government while 18% of government ministers were women.
"Young women today don't understand we must press for equality all the time," Ms Rehn said.
Sometimes people "are not looking for legislation that protects women's needs. You have to be alert and active all the time to ensure not only equality between men and women but other minorities as well", she added.