2020 marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of UNSCR 1325. The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) views this as an opportunity to increase the visibility of the implementation of WPS commitments. 21st October is the 20th anniversary of the Security Council Resolution on Women, Peace and Security.

Working to ensure women’s priorities are met, should be a central priority to peace and security decisions at all levels. To achieve this, the UN addresses social, cultural and political barriers and protection risks that limit women’s participation in attaining and sustaining peace.

It is well known that violent conflict disproportionately affects women and girls and intensifies pre-existing gender inequalities. Furthermore despite being vital agents of peace in armed conflict, their role as active agents of peace has been highly unrecognized.

UN Peacekeeping operations are mandated by the Security Council to implement the Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security across all peace functions. Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) was the first resolution that recognized the disproportionate impact of armed conflict on women and girls, acknowledged their contribution in conflict prevention and resolution, peacekeeping and building, and accentuated how crucial their full and equal participation is.

The nine subsequent resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, have since been adopted, stressing the importance of women’s leadership in the prevention and resolution of conflicts; addressing the impact of sexual violence; capacity building on gender equality and women, peace and security for peacekeeping personnel; engaging with civil society more comprehensively and enabling an improved understanding of gender dynamics of conflict.

The Departments of Peace Operations (DPO) and Operational Support (DOS) integrate gender equality and women, peace and security into their work by strengthening managerial leadership and accountability on implementation of the gender equality and women, peace and security mandates across UN Peacekeeping; strengthening systems and mechanisms for monitoring progress and producing analytical evidence-based progress reports; strengthening capacities and knowledge of all personnel —civilian, police and military— to advance the gender responsiveness of peacekeeping operations; and strengthening UN Peacekeeping engagement and partnerships with other UN entities and partners, internally and externally at Headquarters and in missions; to achieve gender equality and women, peace and security related results.