On 31 October 2000, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1325 and created the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. To commemorate the resolution’s 25th anniversary, this compendium features a collection of articles published on The Strategist.

This series reflects on the progress made since 2000, including the transformative changes in women’s representation across security. More women are performing in combat roles, participating in peace processes and representing their nations in multilateral institutions.

There are now 10 resolutions on WPS, highlighting the importance of women’s participation in conflict prevention, mitigation, resolution and recovery. Notwithstanding the noted success, there is a unifying message throughout the reflections in this series: while progress of the past 25 years should be celebrated, now is not a time to rest. The authors make clear that the push for women’s rights – from participation in decision making to prevention of harm – continues and that complacency threatens to open the door to regression.

Key findings

• There is a pattern of certain member states trying to roll back women’s rights across the UN system.
• 112 countries now have national action plans to help them implement the WPS resolutions.
• As uncertainty grows around the United States’ international role, democracies must support the rules-based order and provide the funds women’s groups need to advance gender equality in their own communities.
• Women remain excluded from peace processes. More women and girls than ever are affected by conflict.
• Impunity remains for conflict-related sexual violence.
• Australia’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security has remained woefully under-implemented.