Invited to ponder on the future of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, I revisited my UN Security Council (UNSC) remarks from 2000 and found in them an important reminder: it is–and remains–always about the context:
“The principles of gender equality and mainstreaming gender perspectives in all dimensions of societal interaction lie at the core of democratic societies …The maintenance of peace and security requires a contribution not by some or half of the world’s population, but by all. Equally important, if such a contribution is skewed and reflects either only men’s or only women’s masculine or feminine perspectives, it remains seriously impaired.”
UNSC Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 has achieved a remarkable legacy, fostering a robust body of international and national norms, to its initiators’ and enablers’ delight. Yet, these hard-won gains now confront formidable challenges at the intersection of WPS principles and shifting policies across global, regional, and domestic realms—encompassing governance, markets, and societal structures. These policy shifts emerge both as drivers and consequences of destabilizing trends, such as the erosion of international law and order, the constraints on democracies under strain alongside the rise of “civilization states”, the decline of soft power, and the proliferation of digital technologies with complex AI risks. Coupled with these dynamics is the accelerating impact of climate change and migration, adding layers of vulnerability and urgency. Is the legacy of a quarter century of progress under the WPS agenda irreversible?
In my view, holding onto and reaffirming the core principles of the WPS agenda in times of distress constitutes the first line of defense. The four key pillars of the agenda – Participation, Protection, Prevention, and Relief and Recovery – are so deeply integrated into global norms and practices that they can be considered irreversible. Thus, prioritizing further strengthening of the normative framework of UNSCR 1325 seems strategically justified. Let’s go for implementation.
Focusing on implementation by evaluating and validating the robustness of selected mature WPS norms in judicial fora could prove highly rewarding, particularly with successful outcomes across multiple national courts. National-level implementation complements and reinforces a broader adaptive strategy of localizing WPS principles, which is relevant in the contexts of both “civilization states” and democracies in transition.
States that center governance on cultural and historical identity may opt to implement only culturally resonant commitments from the WPS agenda. Democracies may prioritize politically salient ones to ensure institutional and societal acceptance. Mainstreaming “manosphere” content supports masculine perspectives and muscular practices in domestic and international governance, while instead engaging young men through constructive narratives of positive masculinity contributes to comprehensive perspectives and practices.
Understanding and supporting localized interpretations of the WPS agenda remains crucial for identifying timely, context-specific solutions that buffer resistance to WPS multilateral frameworks. Formal and informal collegial advocacy networks, alongside decentralized grassroots movements empowered by digital and AI technology, offer immense potential. These efforts can advance a more nuanced integration of masculine and feminine perspectives in peace and security initiatives, promoting lasting equity and cooperation.
About the Author:
Jelena Grčić Polić is a diplomat who has held senior positions at the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Croatian Ministry of Defense, and the Croatian Embassy in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). At the time of the adoption of UNSCR 1325, Polić was the Deputy Permanent Representative at the Croatian Mission to the UN in New York (1998-2001). She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School.
Image Courtesy of Flickr.