One year of the world’s military spending equals 700 years of the U.N. budget and equals 2,928 years of the U.N. budget allocated for women.

The quote uses stark, comparative arithmetic to dramatize global priorities: vast sums flow to militaries while comparatively tiny resources support multilateral governance and, even more pointedly, women-focused programs. By translating budgets into “years,” Salbi turns abstract figures into an intuitive moral contrast—suggesting that security is being pursued primarily through force rather than through institutions, prevention, and gender equity. The final clause (“allocated for women”) underscores a feminist critique: underfunding women is not a niche issue but a structural choice that shapes peace, development, and human security outcomes. The statement functions as advocacy rhetoric aimed at rebalancing spending toward diplomacy, social investment, and women’s empowerment.