The Women Peace and Security Agenda in a Changed Conflict Context: Where to from here?

Prof. Cheryl Hendricks 

15. Juli 2025, 16 Uhr c.t., LF 156, Campus Duisburg 

Prof. Cheryl Hendricks ist Direktorin des Institute for Justice and Reconciliation in Kapstadt, Südafrika. Zu ihren Fachgebieten gehören Konfliktmanagement, Peacebuilding und afrikanische Regionalpolitik

Zum Vortrag:

Women have been asserting the right to participate in peace and security decision-making, structures and processes from as early as the First World War. The Women Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, ushered in by the unanimous adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, in 2000, and the subsequent 9 UNSC resolutions, articulated the key pillars of participation, prevention, protection, and relief and recovery in relation to WPS. To date there has been progress in terms of awareness raising, norm and agenda setting, and the establishment of institutions and programmes to forward the agenda. 

The actual participation of women in peace processes and their protection during conflict (and non-conflict situations), however, remains inadequate. The WPS agenda was initiated in a conflict context where inclusion, the peaceful settlement of disputes and gender equality were widely accepted norms. These norms are now questioned, and/or in many instances being jettisoned. This changed conflict context, characterised less by ideology and principle than by might is right, exclusion, unconventional warfare, and toxic masculinity, has major implications for pursuing WPS. This seminar will, therefore, outline the development, strengths and weaknesses of the WPS agenda and reflect on of the impact of a changed conflict context for its implementation.