In 2009, the Australian Agency for International Development's (AusAID) Gender Policy and Coordination Section commissioned research on ‘Women, Peace and Security in AusAID Partner Countries: Analysis of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325' (UNSCR 1325). This paper, based on the findings from this research project: (a) documents what has been done to advance UNSCR 1325 in three AusAID partner countries; (b) evaluates some remaining challenges for AusAID (and donor agencies); and (c) highlights some best practices and transferable lessons on how to advance women's leadership and decision-making in conflict resolution, peacemaking and peacebuilding.