Maximizing the Impact of UN Security Council Resolution 1325: 10 Years On

It is widely recognized that women bear a heavy burden in conflict and post-conflict societies, both directly through violence perpetrated against them and their families, and as survivors attempting to reconstruct destroyed communities. There is also growing recognition of women as agents of change, skilfully reshaping and rebuilding communities affected by conflict. Women worldwide—as government representatives, activists, leaders o nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and women's networks, and other concerned citizens—have persevered through threats and conditions of violence to initiate transformative processes within conflict and post-conflict societies.

Over the past decade, the importance of women's engagement in peace processes has been recognized through numerous international institutions, resolutions and state commitments. In October 2000, the UN Security Council through its resolution 1325 (SCR 1325) formally recognized the relationship between women, peace and security, and the critical importance of women's participation as reflected in leadership, empowerment and decision-making. SCR 1325 provided the first international legal and political framework recognizing the disproportionate impact of armed conflict on women as well as the pivotal role of women in peacebuilding. The resolution provides both a broad “blueprint” and concrete suggestions to help the international community incorporate gender perspectives into the peace and security agenda.

Recognizing that sexual violence is used as a tactic of war, the Council adopted two subsequent resolutions on women, peace and security—SCR 1820 and SCR1888—which focus on gender-based violence and emphasize the need for women's participation in combating this violence.