Why women, peace and security?
In October 2000, feminist activists and civil society, including WILPF, paved the way for the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
The scope of UNSCR 1325 has expanded with the adoption of subsequent resolutions which have collectively become known as the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda.
One of the key ways that UN Member States, including the UK, commit to implementing the WPS Agenda is through a National Action Plan (NAP).
The Women, Peace and Security Agenda has four main pillars.
These are:
- the equal and meaningful participation of women and girls at all levels of peace-making
- the protection of women and girls from violence in conflict and post-conflict settings
- the prevention of conflict and the prevention of violence against women
- the incorporation of a gendered lens to relief and recovery efforts
The WPS Agenda demands that we recognise the disproportionate impacts that conflict and crises have on women, as well as the important role women play in peace
processes beyond their status as victims. This is key to ending conflict and violence, creating long-term and sustainable peace, and fulfilling the rights of women and girls.
Despite the UNSCR resolutions and commitments by UN Member States, patriarchal systems, inequalities, militarisation, authoritarianism, repression and discriminatory structures foster violence and inhibit effective conflict prevention, inclusive peace, women’s rights and participation.
Our approach
WILPF International’s work on women, peace and security is led by Peace Women.
Through advocacy, campaigning and research, we highlight the realities of women and marginalised groups, promote their meaningful participation at all levels, and work towards addressing the root causes of violence through a feminist lens.
WILPF UK is a founding member of Gender Action for Peace and Security UK (GAPS) – the UK’s women, peace and security civil society network – through which we promote and monitor the UK government’s implementation of the WPS Agenda and UK National Action Plan.
We lobby the UK government on matters relating to the WPS Agenda, challenging policies and practices that undermine peace, perpetuate conflict and fail to uphold women’s rights.
We collaborate with like-minded civil society and women’s organisations to promote the WPS Agenda, including through international entities and systems such as the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
We seek to transform violent and gendered power structures by shifting how the international community approaches the question of peace and security, requiring a reordering of priorities from militarised security to human security.
We continue to champion the WPS Agenda and its implementation so as to be inclusive and holistic.
Recent news about our women, peace & security campaign
Our partnerships
We work closely with other organisations to achieve our goals.
How to get involved
Become a member of WILPF UK to help campaign for women, peace and security. You can get involved by contacting your MP, creating blogs or resources, and volunteering with your skills at WILPF.
Get in touch to find out more.
Working group meetings
We are hoping to set up a women, peace and security working group that will meet regularly to share information and resources, and to report on current and future activities and activism. Watch this space!
Contact details
WILPF Executive Committee members Beatriz Arnal Calvo and Eliza Broadbent represents the WPS campaign on the Executive Committee.
For all questions, please use our contact form or general email on the Contact Us page.
