In October 2000, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, urging its member states to ensure the full inclusion of women in all aspects of international peace and security processes. Resolution 1325 is the most comprehensive UN resolution to date on the role of women in peace-building activities.

The resolution calls for action in four areas related to women and peacekeeping:

•  participation of women in conflict prevention and resolution
•  integration of gender perspectives in peacekeeping missions
•  protection of women and girls in conflict zones
•  mainstreaming of gender sensitization in UN reporting and implementation systems

Resolution 1325 recognizes that those most negatively affected by war and conflict are civilians—particularly women and children—and acknowledges that this is a threat to peace and security. The resolution also acknowledges the critical role women can play in preventing and resolving conflicts and in building peace. Consequently, the Security Council urges member states to include more women at all levels of decision making and field operations related to conflict resolution. It asks the Secretary-General and member states to include a gender perspective in peacekeeping operations, both on and off the ground, and to provide training on the protection, rights, and needs of women in post-conflict reconstruction.

The resolution not only calls for action within the UN but also urges all parties involved in conflict resolution to adopt a gender-conscious approach during disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration. The policy statement stresses the responsibility of all actors to protect women from gender-based violence, especially rape, and to prosecute those guilty of perpetrating such crimes. It also calls for the support of women-led peace initiatives and indigenous approaches to conflict resolution.

The Secretary-General is responsible for the implementation of Resolution 1325 with the mandate to investigate and communicate to all members the impact of armed conflict on women and girls, the overall gender implications of conflict resolution, and the pivotal role that women undertake in international peace-building efforts.

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