In anticipation of the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Bejing+25) and the 20th anniversary of the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1325 (1325+20) in 2020, this report maps historical events and efforts by international organizations, national governments and civil society predating UNSC Resolution 1325 (2000), key actors and programs within the Security Council and UN architecture, and strategies created by signatory states to implement the WPS agenda in their unique contexts – also known as National Actions Plans (NAPs).

Resolution 1325 was revolutionary in the sense that it was the first time in history that the UN, as an institution, welcomed a debate on women, peace, and security. The resolution recognized the particular gender-related harms women and girls endured as victims of war, but also, their importance as agents of peace and security. Centred on four ‘pillars’ of participation, prevention, protection, and recovery, since its adoption in 2000, eight additional resolutions have been passed by the UN Security Council: 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009), 1960 (2010), 2106 (2013), 2122 (2013), 2242 (2015), and 2467 (2019). These resolutions extend and complement Resolution 1325 and related pillars, specifying and operationalizing contents and concepts. All together, these 9 resolutions make up the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. The report will examine each resolution and highlight the relevance contributions.

As we approach the 20th anniversary of Resolution 1325, a review of existing obstacles and challenges that still persist and prevent the full implementation of the WPS agenda is essential. For this reason, the last section of the report delves into gaps and challenges, as well as emerging trends and priorities for action. The report concludes that an intersectional analysis is still to be incorporated into conflict- related research if it is to be inclusive and transformative.

The report involved a review of secondary data, including scholarly papers, UN reports of the Security Council, General Assembly, and Economic and Social Council, and the 9 resolutions comprising the WPS agenda.

There is a complementary presentation and annotated bibliography to this report. The aim is for this report to serve as the foundation document of a bigger project. A series of memos will follow to complement the ‘New Directions’ section by delving deeper into the experiences of other marginalized groups, their roles, agency, and vulnerabilities.