On the 24th anniversary of UNSCR 1325, the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Working Group for Arab States Meets in Geneva to Advance Regional Vision and Policies

[Press release]

Geneva, Switzerland – October 2, 2024 – The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Working Group for the Arab States convened its second meeting in Geneva from 30 September  to 2 October 2024, as part of its commitment to establishing a regional mechanism to inform and shape WPS policies across the Arab region in anticipation of the 25th anniversary of the WPS agenda in 2025.

The 25^th anniversary of the agenda provides a critical opportunity to assess its effectiveness and to redefine its relevance, particularly within conflict-affected contexts  such as the Arab states. Over the past two decades, the WPS agenda, enshrined in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), has aimed to enhance women’s participation in peace processes and ensure their protection in conflict and post-conflict settings. Despite the milestones achieved through UNSCR 1325 and subsequent resolutions, the Arab states region continues to grapple with deeply entrenched barriers, particularly in relation to women’s meaningful participation in peacebuilding and governance processes.

Building on the momentum from the inaugural meeting in Amman, Jordan, last June, the second meeting of the WPS Working Group brought together WPS practitioners, policy experts, academics, and peacebuilders, hailing from Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Sudan and Syria. Discussions centered on the identification of priority areas for the WPS agenda for the next decade, and on the existing gaps and challenges in the implementation of the agenda in the Arab Region. A central theme that arose from the discussions was the need to ensure the protection of women peacebuilders, activists and human rights defenders as an enabler for their meaningful participation in peace, political, humanitarian and conflict prevention efforts, which are urgently needed in the region.

During the meeting, focus was also given to further refining a white policy paper which proposes actionable recommendations for the implementation of the WPS agenda in the region. The evolving white policy paper will serve as a vital resource for stakeholders throughout the 25^th anniversary year to include the narrative and amplify the voices of women WPS actors from the Arab States in high-level WPS policy discussions and fora. Hosted at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung offices, the meeting included consultations and external engagements with representatives from the Women, Peace and Humanitarian Fund, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The meeting also coincided with the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, allowing the Working Group participants to attend annual discussions of the council on gender as well as relevant side events, providing opportunities to engage with a broader network of international stakeholders in Geneva.

In honor of the Working Group meeting, a reception was hosted by the Swedish Dialogue Institute at the Swedish Permanent Mission Residence in Geneva. The reception provided an opportunity for the Working Group to meet, foster relationships, and engage in dialogue with Geneva based organizations and diplomats, including representatives from Permanent Representations in Geneva.

One participant remarked, “Creating a safe space for dialogue, where we can listen to diverse viewpoints and address the challenges and gaps faced by women in the Arab region, offers a valuable opportunity to learn, find solutions, and reflect on our situation as women in relation to Women, Peace, and Security issues.” She further emphasized, “Meeting with women from various conflict-affected countries across the Arab region has enabled us to draw comparisons and explore ways to strengthen the role of women in peacebuilding, fostering international alliances, and even promoting healing and recovery.”

Given the growing instability in the Arab States Region and the well documented disproportionate impact that conflicts and crises have on women and girls, the working group is a timely initiative aiming to foster solidarity among WPS actors and to influence peace and security policy spaces to encourage the full and meaningful implementation of the WPS agenda in the region. The rotational nature of participants of the Working Group ensures that consultations have a wide reach and that experts from diverse backgrounds enrich future dialogues with fresh perspectives.

The aim of the meeting is to further develop the WPS white paper, initially drafted during the working group’s first meeting in Amman. This paper outlines the priorities, challenges, and recommendations that need to be considered in advancing the WPS agenda. The goal is to eventually present the white paper to the UN Security Council as we approach the 25th anniversary of the adoption of UNSCR 1325 next year. – Heba Zayyan, Regional Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action Advisor at UN Women Regional Office for the Arab States.

As the working group moves forward, it remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, advocating for meaningful policy change, and creating a more inclusive and equitable environment where women’s voices are amplified, their rights are safeguarded, and their contributions to peace are recognized and valued.

About the WPS Working Group for the Arab States: 

The WPS Regional Hub at the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) at the American University of Beirut leads the WPS Working Group in partnership with the UN Women Regional Office for the Arab States, GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), the Swedish Dialogue Institute for the Middle East and North Africa, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung MENA, the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, Inclusive Peace, the Arab Reform Initiative and the Embassy of Switzerland to Lebanon and Syria.

The WPS Working Group is committed to advancing gender equality, peace, and security in the Arab Region, as enshrined in the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and subsequent resolutions.

Women and girls in the Arab region, which is often ranked as the least peaceful globally, are disproportionately affected by armed conflicts and political instability. They face challenges such as marginalization, violence, and significant hardships in accessing essential resources. Yet, evidence shows that women across the region have been making significant contributions to the stability and security of their communities through their leadership in mediating and preventing conflict.

By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders and advocating for policy change, the Working Group for the Arab States aims to create a more inclusive and equitable environment where women’s voices are heard, their rights are protected, and their contributions to peace are valued.