UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325:

UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325:

Why in News? UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) was unanimously recently  adopted on 31 October 2000 under the chairmanship of Namibia.

• It marked a historic recognition of women’s crucial role in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict recovery.
• 25 years later, the agenda remains as relevant as ever, amid rising conflicts and regression in gender equality.

Background :

• Spearheaded by Namibia’s Minister of Women’s Affairs, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, with support from civil society and leaders like Anwarul Chowdhury (Bangladesh).
• UNSCR 1325 called for:
  • Women’s participation in peace processes and decision-making.
  • Protection of women and girls from gender-based and sexual violence.
  • Gender mainstreaming across UN peace and security operations.
• Since 2000, nine follow-up resolutions have expanded and deepened the WPS framework.
• However, implementation remains weak, with civil society leading most of the progress.

Current Context and Urgency:

• According to the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security Index, 676 million women and girls live within 50 km of active conflict zones — the highest in recent history.
• Growing violence, erosion of international accountability, and shrinking funding threaten WPS progress.

Global Case Studies:

Afghanistan:

• Women’s groups like DROPS maintain underground digital networks to support women under Taliban rule.
• Afghan women leaders are advocating to codify gender apartheid as an international crime.

 Myanmar:

• Women form ~60% of pro-democracy defenders.
• They organize humanitarian corridors, document abuses, and build local governance networks — real-time implementation of WPS principles.

Ukraine:

• Pioneered interim reparations for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence even amid war.
• Launched the Alliance for a Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Recovery ($48 million initiative).
• Pressures the UN to hold Russia accountable for wartime sexual violence.

Colombia:

• The 2016 Peace Accord with FARC remains a global model for gender inclusion.
• Women’s civil society and the Gender Sub-Commission ensured gender-sensitive provisions.