The 21st Anniversary of the WPS Agenda: Progress or Regress?

21 years have passed since the UN Security Council adopted resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, and a new generation of women peacebuilders have emerged, courageous and imaginative enough to take on the challenges posed by complex conflicts, seeking non-violent solutions. But as this agenda comes of age, the systemic and institutional changes needed to realise its promise remain mired in apathy, ad hockery and amnesia. Conflicts are not being prevented, rather they continue to be fueled and increasingly driven by private interests. Peace processes continue to be exclusive domains designed more to allay the concerns of international actors and warring parties, than to bring peace and security to civilians. Gender responsiveness is still a struggle for humanitarian operations, and women’s representation in peacekeeping operations remains limited.