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As the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325 approaches in 2025, speakers emphasized the need to accelerate implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.

Key Recommendations:

1. Increase women’s participation in peace processes and decision-making:
– Adopt gender parity goals and quotas (Guyana, Albania, Timor-Leste)
– Make women’s participation a requirement in UN-supported peace processes (Wai Wai Nu, United States)
– Implement the African Union’s 30% quota for women in AU-led mediation (Effie Owuor)

2. Enhance funding and resources:
– Increase funding for WPS initiatives (United States, Angola, Sierra Leone)
– Provide sustained funding to women-led organizations (Republic of Korea, Ireland, Germany)
– Support the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (Japan, Netherlands)

3. Strengthen protection and accountability:
– Protect women from attacks and online harassment (Wai Wai Nu, Latvia, Jordan)
– Hold accountable those who violate women’s rights (United States, Ireland)
– Pursue accountability for conflict-related sexual violence (Canada, France)

4. Leverage technology and address digital challenges:
– Utilize new technologies for women’s participation (Albania, Jordan)
– Develop secure online forums (Jordan, Timor-Leste)
– Address technology-facilitated gender-based violence (Latvia, Belgium)

5. Enhance institutional support and policy frameworks:
– Integrate gender considerations in Security Council resolutions (Timor-Leste, Portugal)
– Implement mechanisms to track WPS commitments (Timor-Leste, Estonia)
– Support development of National Action Plans on WPS (Japan, Philippines)

6. Address root causes and emerging challenges:
– Focus on conflict prevention and gender inequality (Sierra Leone, Peru)
– Integrate climate considerations into WPS efforts (Greece, Republic of Korea)
– Promote women’s economic empowerment (Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka)

7. Support women mediators and peacebuilders:
– Increase support for women mediator networks (League of Arab States, Norway)
– Provide training for women mediators (Mexico, Philippines)

8. Enhance women’s participation in security sectors:
– Increase women’s representation in peacekeeping operations (Indonesia, India)
– Support gender-responsive reforms in security sectors (Norway, Hungary)

Key Quotes:

Effie Owuor: “…the African Union Peace and Security Council…directed the African Union to develop a policy framework for a woman’s quarter in all the African Union-led mediation and peace processes.”

Wai Wai Nu: “This Council should explicitly call for women’s full, equal, meaningful and safe participation in decision-making about our country’s future.”

United States: “We must commit to not just talking about WPS commitments, but implementation of the WPS agenda.”

Albania: “…it is crucial to establish meaningful quotas for women’s participation in peace processes. We fully support the recommendation of the Secretary General for an initial minimum target of one-third of participants, which is not enough. It’s not at all enough, it should be more than 50 percent.”

Conclusion:
The recommendations reflect growing recognition of women’s importance in peace and security efforts. Speakers emphasized the need for political will and concrete actions to translate commitments into reality as the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325 approaches.

Speakers agreed on the importance of UN entities in promoting women’s participation in peace processes, implementing gender strategies, and ensuring coherence in advancing the WPS agenda. The PBC was highlighted for supporting fragile states, implementing gender strategies, and bringing women’s voices into UN discussions.

Key points from various speakers include:

Ecuador: Welcomed the PBC’s written advice and incorporated it into their actions based on the Commission’s gender strategy.

Croatia: Highlighted the PBC’s role in supporting fragile states and called for financing of the Peacebuilding Fund’s gender equality initiatives.

Poland: Emphasized the PBC should ensure full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in peace processes.

El Salvador: Suggested addressing the WPS agenda across various UN bodies, not just the Security Council.

Brazil (PBC Chair): Invited consideration of the PBC’s written advice, emphasizing women’s expertise in peacebuilding and encouraging targets for women’s inclusion.

Thailand: Stressed the need for coherence across UN bodies to advance the WPS agenda.

Portugal: Welcomed the PBC’s implementation of its gender strategy, recognizing women’s contribution to peace.

Bangladesh: Emphasized roles for UN bodies:
1. PBC: Bring women’s voices into UN peace and security discussions.
2. Security Council: Monitor implementation of WPS resolutions.
3. UN peacekeeping: Facilitate WPS agenda and coordinate with UN country teams.

Sierra Leone: Affirmed commitment to women’s participation in peacebuilding and highlighted their role in the Informal Expert Group on Women, Peace and Security.

Malta: Supported increased WPS funding at national, regional, and local levels.

United Arab Emirates: Called for greater Security Council engagement with women in conflict contexts.

The session addressed barriers to women’s participation in peace processes and their evolution. Key points from speakers include:

Deputy Secretary General:
– Women remain underrepresented in peace negotiations (13% of negotiators, 6% of mediators between 1992-2019).
– Gendered power inequalities and patriarchal structures persist.

Sima Sami Bahous:
– Women’s participation hasn’t improved in the last decade.
– Evolving barriers: increased pushback against gender equality, decreased funding, weaponization of misogyny, lack of meaningful inclusion.

Effie Owuor:
– Obstacles include cultural and political biases, limited access to platforms, safety risks, and lack of resources.

Wai Wai Nu:
– Ongoing armed conflicts, global backlash against women’s rights, impunity for perpetrators, lack of accountability.

President – Switzerland:
– Increased hostility and risks, particularly due to technological advancements.

Slovenia:
– Lack of inclusion, insufficient funding, unsafe environment, violence, patriarchal structures.

Malta:
– Regression in key indicators, growing geopolitical fragmentation, patriarchal backlash.

Republic of Korea:
– Limited roles for women, erosion of progress due to geopolitical tensions.

Russian Federation:
– Politicization and unilateral coercive measures as barriers.

Sierra Leone:
– Tokenistic participation, restrictive societal norms, online and offline threats.

Ecuador:
– Institutionalized gender-based discrimination, lack of full participation.

Liechtenstein:
– Lack of political will and ignorance as main barriers.

Democratic Republic of the Congo:
– Sexual violence, exclusion from peace processes, economic and social obstacles.

Colombia:
– Structural barriers including patriarchy, sexism, and racism.

Norway:
– Limited space for women’s participation in mediation.

Turkey:
– Absence of meaningful participation as a main barrier.

Jordan:
– Technology-related challenges, including online violence.

Morocco:
– Lack of political will, recognition as equal partners, and harmful effects.

Indonesia:
– Unpredictable funding, impunity for violence, safety concerns.

Costa Rica:
– Women’s voices sidelined in security discussions.

European Union:
– Institutional barriers, safety concerns, harassment, and gender-based disinformation.

Croatia:
– Global insecurity, inequalities, and discriminatory social norms limiting participation.

Bulgaria:
– Under-representation, exclusion from decision-making, technology-based threats, lack of funding.

South Africa:
– Lack of political will and financial resources.

Brazil:
– Deeply ingrained gender norms and stereotypes.

Kingdom of the Netherlands:
– Male-dominated spaces creating barriers.

Panama:
– Lack of political will, underrepresentation, increased online violence.

International Committee of the Red Cross:
– Women’s absence in war decisions, gender issues relegated, lack of resources.

Lithuania:
– Progress undone due to increased violence and political pushbacks.

Myanmar:
– Political changes reversing progress.

Dominican Republic:
– Structural obstacles hindering participation.

Namibia:
– Backlash against women’s rights, geopolitical environment, reduced support, male domination, lack of funding.

Sri Lanka:
– Under-representation, funding gap, climate change, digital technologies.

In conclusion, speakers highlighted persistent structural and cultural obstacles, as well as emerging challenges related to technology and geopolitical shifts, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to promote women’s meaningful participation in peace processes.

The session addressed the question “How can digital technologies be used to promote women’s participation in peace processes?” with insights from 24 speakers. Key points include:

1. Digital Platforms and Tools:
– Sierra Leone: Utilize digital platforms to facilitate women’s participation in peacebuilding.
– Albania: Leverage social media campaigns, online forums, and virtual participation in negotiations.
– Jordan: Develop safe digital platforms for women’s effective participation.
– Latvia: Digital communication tools enable inclusivity in mediation.
– Costa Rica: Modern technologies provide easier access to data, facilitate connections between women, and enable online participation in trainings.
– Guatemala: Create inclusive platforms for women’s participation in peace dialogues.
– Panama: Digital technologies offer secure and accessible platforms for training and ensuring women’s voices are heard.

2. Cybersecurity and Safety:
– Albania and Jordan: Implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect women from online harassment and disinformation.
– United Arab Emirates: Ensure a safe online environment for women’s participation.
– El Salvador: Promote women’s inclusion in the digital sphere while ensuring safety and accessibility.
– Viet Nam: Protect women from cyber threats while leveraging technology to amplify their voices.

3. Digital Education and Capacity Building:
– Jordan: Invest in digital education programs and cybersecurity initiatives.
– Guatemala: Invest in digital security training for women mediators.
– Timor-Leste: Implement training programs to enhance women’s digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness in conflict zones.

4. Emerging Technologies:
– United Arab Emirates: Use artificial intelligence to facilitate engagement with women in remote locations.
– Timor-Leste: Utilize AI, machine learning, and technology-driven data collection to track women’s participation and refine strategies.

5. Amplifying Women’s Voices:
– Canada: Young women are using digital tools to promote inclusivity in the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
– Nepal: Harness digital and technological capacity to protect and promote women’s voices and participation.
– Viet Nam: Leverage technology to amplify women’s voices and enhance access to resources.

6. Challenges and Risks:
– Several speakers, including Costa Rica and Estonia, cautioned about the potential downsides of digital technologies, such as perpetuating gender biases and facilitating online sexual and gender-based violence.

In conclusion, the speakers emphasized the importance of leveraging digital technologies to enhance women’s participation in peace processes while addressing associated risks and challenges.

The session addressed measures to strengthen the protection of women in conflict. Key speakers and their main points include:

Deputy Secretary General:
1. Uphold international law and protect civilians, especially women and girls.
2. Increase women’s representation in peacekeeping and conflict resolution.
3. Provide support services to women affected by conflict.
4. Increase funding for women’s organizations in conflict zones.

Sima Sami Bahous:
1. Pursue accountability for violations of women’s rights.
2. Remove discriminatory laws.
3. Make policy commitments for women’s participation and funding.

Wai Wai Nu:
1. Uphold all pillars of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda.
2. Make women’s participation a requirement in UN-supported peace processes.
3. Focus on conflict prevention, human rights protection, and accountability.
4. Support and protect women’s organizations and human rights defenders.

President – Switzerland:
1. Protect women’s rights and ensure safety in political involvement.
2. Address both physical and digital forms of violence and intimidation.

United States:
1. Invest resources in the WPS agenda and implement it.
2. Promote accountability for violations of women’s human rights.
3. Increase women’s participation in peace processes.

Slovenia:
1. Establish a safe environment for women to engage in peace efforts.
2. Fight impunity and ensure accountability for violations of women’s rights.
3. Prevent sexual and gender-based violence and provide survivor-oriented responses.

United Kingdom:
1. Focus on conflict prevention with a gender-responsive approach.
2. Prevent conflict-related sexual violence and end impunity.
3. Support women’s rights organizations.

Guyana:
1. Enact legislation to ensure women’s participation is free from violence and harassment.

China:
1. Focus on preventing and defusing conflicts.
2. Promote political settlements of hotspot issues.
3. Increase women’s representation in UN-led processes and peacekeeping operations.

Malta:
1. Strengthen commitment to prevent conflicts through disarmament.
2. Increase funding for the WPS agenda.
3. Pursue justice and accountability for violations of women’s rights.
4. Protect women peace-builders and human rights defenders.

Other countries, including Algeria, France, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Ecuador, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Albania, also provided suggestions focusing on themes such as accountability, funding, women’s participation in peace processes, and addressing gender-based violence in conflicts.

The session addressed ongoing initiatives to implement the women, peace and security agenda. Key speakers highlighted various efforts at national, regional, and international levels:

Deputy Secretary General:
– Peacekeeping missions protect and assist women
– Women, Peace and Humanitarian Fund supports local women’s organizations
– Peace-Building Fund exceeds gender equality allocation targets
– Launch of Common Pledge on Women’s Participation in Peace Processes

Sima Sami Bahous:
– 110 member states adopted national action plans
– Inclusion in multilateral agreements and Security Council Resolutions

Effie Owuor:
– Global Alliance of Regional Women Mediator Networks established
– African Union developing policy for women’s quota in mediation

President – Switzerland:
– Adoption of Beijing Declaration and Program of Action
– Security Council Resolution 1325 and subsequent resolutions

United States:
– Partnerships with UN Women for Ukraine and Ethiopia
– Centering women’s perspectives in Sudan peace efforts
– Collaboration on Haiti security support mission
– Signing Common Pledge and advancing WPS commitments

Slovenia:
– Support for one-third women participation in peace efforts
– Commitment to gender equality in development programs
– Support for Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund

United Kingdom:
– Resourcing change project in Nigeria and South Sudan
– Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict initiative
– Partnership with Equality Fund
– Support for women’s organizations in Sudan and Myanmar

Other countries (including Guyana, China, Mozambique, Malta, Algeria, France, Republic of Korea, Japan, Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Ecuador, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Albania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Chile, Romania, Ukraine, Germany, Colombia, Italy, Canada, Norway, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Jordan, Morocco, Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, European Union, Croatia, Bulgaria, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Poland, Egypt, Burundi, Czechia, Latvia, Greece, Cambodia, Yemen, Estonia, Peru, Mongolia, Tonga, Paraguay, Israel, Namibia, Maldives, India, Bahrain, and Afghanistan) reported various initiatives including:
– Developing and implementing national action plans
– Supporting women’s participation in peace processes and peacekeeping
– Establishing regional networks and alliances
– Providing funding for women’s organizations and initiatives
– Integrating gender perspectives into foreign policy and development strategies
– Increasing women’s representation in government and security sectors
– Hosting conferences and training programs on WPS
– Supporting specific projects in conflict-affected areas

The summary highlights a global commitment to advancing the women, peace and security agenda, with diverse initiatives tailored to national and regional contexts.

The session addressed strategies for implementing the women, peace and security agenda in a changing environment. Key speakers and their main points include:

Deputy Secretary General: Launched the Common Pledge on Women’s Participation in Peace Processes, emphasizing collective action and appointing women as lead mediators.

President of Switzerland: Highlighted protecting women’s rights against new technological threats.

Ecuador: Suggested creating new frameworks to address evolving and emerging threats.

Luxembourg: Suggested viewing gender equality as a strategic military capability requiring acute investment.

Chile: Highlighted their third national action plan addressing contemporary issues like climate change and transnational organized crime.

Germany: Emphasized considering the impact of climate change on women and marginalized groups.

Italy: Emphasized integrating gender perspectives in peacebuilding efforts, especially in the context of evolving global challenges.

Canada: Highlighted how young women are engaging with the agenda in new ways and the importance of flexible funding.

Jordan: Suggested developing digital platforms for safe participation and investing in digital education programs.

Panama: Emphasized the need for different and bold responses to new threats and a holistic approach.

Federated States of Micronesia: Emphasized empowering women with resources for climate resilience initiatives.

Timor-Leste: Proposed using digital platforms to facilitate women’s involvement and implementing training programs for digital literacy.

Greece: Highlighted the need to focus on climate change and digital technologies.

Estonia: Emphasized leveraging new technologies while addressing challenges such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

Peru: Suggested increasing women’s participation to address new challenges and involving the private sector and civil society.

India: Emphasized harnessing new technologies while addressing emerging challenges.

Afghanistan: Proposed recognizing the Taliban’s gender apartheid as a crime against humanity and supporting Afghan women leaders.

Sri Lanka: Highlighted addressing climate change and security, adapting to digital technologies, and expanding women’s roles in security forces.

In conclusion, speakers emphasized adapting strategies to address emerging challenges, increasing women’s participation, sustainable funding, leveraging new technologies, and implementing concrete actions to advance the women, peace and security agenda.

The speakers collectively emphasized the crucial role of women’s networks in peace processes and the need to support and leverage these networks through various means, including funding, technology, and integration into formal processes.
Key points from various speakers include:

Effie Owuor:
– Outlined roles of women’s networks: coordinating support, lending legitimacy, mentoring, monitoring WPS Agenda, fostering communication, and positioning women as mediators.
– Recommended fostering political will, investing resources, supporting grassroots mediators, and establishing national chapters.

United Kingdom:
– Emphasized supporting women’s rights organizations.
– Provided examples of partnerships and funding initiatives in Sudan, Myanmar, and globally.

Sierra Leone:
– Suggested utilizing digital platforms, protecting women from online harassment, countering disinformation, supporting legislation, and directly funding women’s groups.

Chile:
– Highlighted participation in the regional network of women mediators in the Southern Cone.

Italy:
– Mentioned the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network.

Norway:
– Emphasized the value of regional networks and the Women, Peace and Security Focal Point Network.

Other countries’ contributions:
– Kazakhstan: Founding member of the Women Leaders Caucus in Central Asia.
– Indonesia: Initiated the Southeast Asian Network of Women Peace Negotiators and Mediators.
– South Africa: Launched the Gertrude Chopin National Women Mediators Network.
– Brazil: Member of Ibero-American and South Cone networks of women mediators.
– Australia: Established the Pacific Women Mediator Network.
– League of Arab States: Created the Arab Women Mediators Network.
– Spain and Mexico: Created the Latin American network of women mediators.

Key themes across speakers:
1. Importance of regional and local women’s networks in peace processes.
2. Need for financial support and resources for these networks.
3. Leveraging technology to facilitate women’s participation and networking.
4. Integrating women’s networks into formal peace processes.
5. Capacity building and training for women mediators.
6. Protecting women involved in peace and mediation efforts.

The session addressed the question “How does international law apply in strengthening women’s participation in peace and security?” Key points from various speakers include:

1. Importance of International Law and Accountability:
– Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohamed emphasized accountability and adherence to international laws for protecting women’s rights.
– Sima Sami Bahous (UN Women) stressed the need for accountability for violations of women’s rights and removing discriminatory laws.
– Wai Wai Nu (Women’s Peace Network) highlighted the importance of international legal mechanisms like the ICC and ICJ in combating impunity.

2. Relevant Legal Frameworks and Mechanisms:
– Malta mentioned the Arms Trade Treaty, international courts, and the Geneva Convention.
– Sierra Leone cited UN Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, and 1889, CEDAW, SDGs, and AU Agenda 2063.
– France emphasized the non-negotiable nature of international human rights law and humanitarian law.
– Liechtenstein referred to the ICC’s jurisdiction in Afghanistan.

3. Implementation and Enforcement:
– Slovenia highlighted the role of international courts and targeted sanctions.
– Algeria called for reinforced accountability and sanctions against violators.
– Ukraine mentioned implementing their National Action Plan under the 1325 Agenda.
– Canada urged full respect of international law and effective prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.

4. Regional and National Efforts:
– Morocco mentioned signing international instruments to protect human rights.
– Burundi emphasized concrete actions to implement Resolution 1325.
– Australia invoked international law to hold Afghanistan accountable for violations of women’s rights.
– Sri Lanka stressed aligning national laws with international standards.

5. Specific Areas of Focus:
– The ICRC highlighted the need to incorporate gender perspectives in IHL application.
– Paraguay supported protecting women from online threats through digital tools.
– Afghanistan called for recognizing gender apartheid as a crime against humanity.

Overall, speakers emphasized the crucial role of international law in strengthening women’s participation in peace and security. They stressed the importance of implementing existing resolutions, enforcing accountability mechanisms, and aligning national laws with international standards to create an environment conducive to women’s meaningful participation in peace processes.

The session addressed the question “How does international law apply in strengthening women’s participation in peace and security?” Key points from various speakers include:

1. Importance of International Law and Accountability:
– Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohamed emphasized accountability and adherence to international laws for protecting women’s rights.
– Sima Sami Bahous (UN Women) stressed the need for accountability for violations of women’s rights and removing discriminatory laws.
– Wai Wai Nu (Women’s Peace Network) highlighted the importance of international legal mechanisms like the ICC and ICJ in combating impunity.

2. Relevant Legal Frameworks and Mechanisms:
– Malta mentioned the Arms Trade Treaty, international courts, and the Geneva Convention.
– Sierra Leone cited UN Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, and 1889, CEDAW, SDGs, and AU Agenda 2063.
– France emphasized the non-negotiable nature of international human rights law and humanitarian law.
– Liechtenstein referred to the ICC’s jurisdiction in Afghanistan.

3. Implementation and Enforcement:
– Slovenia highlighted the role of international courts and targeted sanctions.
– Algeria called for reinforced accountability and sanctions against violators.
– Ukraine mentioned implementing their National Action Plan under the 1325 Agenda.
– Canada urged full respect of international law and effective prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.

4. Regional and National Efforts:
– Morocco mentioned signing international instruments to protect human rights.
– Burundi emphasized concrete actions to implement Resolution 1325.
– Australia invoked international law to hold Afghanistan accountable for violations of women’s rights.
– Sri Lanka stressed aligning national laws with international standards.

5. Specific Areas of Focus:
– The ICRC highlighted the need to incorporate gender perspectives in IHL application.
– Paraguay supported protecting women from online threats through digital tools.
– Afghanistan called for recognizing gender apartheid as a crime against humanity.

Overall, speakers emphasized the crucial role of international law in strengthening women’s participation in peace and security. They stressed the importance of implementing existing resolutions, enforcing accountability mechanisms, and aligning national laws with international standards to create an environment conducive to women’s meaningful participation in peace processes.