For too long, the discourse on peace and security has operated with a critical blind spot. We design frameworks from the top down, often overlooking our most grounded experts: the women who live the daily realities of insecurity, conflict, and resilience in their communities.
They are not merely victims; they are the frontline problem-solvers, the bridge-builders, and the primary protectors of their families’ futures. Their expertise is earned, not conferred.
Yet, this expertise remains the most underutilized resource in local peace and security frameworks. This is not just a moral failure, it’s a strategic failure to implement the core tenets of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
It’s time to shift from imagination to implementation:
- Imagine policies shaped by lived realities, not just theoretical models.
- Imagine peace frameworks that reflect every community member, leading to higher buy-in and effectiveness.
- Imagine a future built on inclusion, justice, and resilience.
When women are meaningfully included beyond token invitation, they transform the conversation.
They bring practical solutions, heal deep divisions, and ensure policies work for everyone.
For policymakers, municipal leaders, and security officials, the mandate is clear:
Inclusion is not optional. It is the essential cornerstone of lasting peace and the wisest investment we can make in a safer, more just world.
How can we operationalize UNSCR 1325 at the local level?
- Mandate Representation: Establish concrete quotas for women on local security councils and policy drafting committees.
- Formalize Consultation: Create structured channels to integrate the analysis of women’s organizations into threat assessments and solution-building.
- Invest in Expertise: Direct resources and capacity-building to women-led civil society organizations actively working on community security.
The goal is not just to add seats to the table, but to reshape the table into one where every voice is valued.
Inclusive security is not a distant ideal; it is the most practical, powerful strategy for building lasting peace.
The framework exists. The evidence is undeniable. What remains is the collective courage to act. Peace without women’s full participation is no peace at all.
#WomenPeaceAndSecurity
#UNSCR1325 #InclusiveSecurity
#Peacebuilding
#CommunityResilience