Women, Peace, and Security

In this chapter, students will learn about the women, peace, and security agenda (WPS). Initially adopted by the UN Security Council in 2000, the WPS agenda now consists of ten resolutions that establish provisions to address gaps in gender-responsive approaches to peace and security, and that seek to advance women’s rights across all aspects of conflict prevention, management, and response. Since its adoption, scholars, policymakers and activists have expanded the reach and impact of the agenda. It is also subject to wide-ranging critique, particularly regarding its implementation by UN member states and the UN system. This chapter provides an overview of the adoption of the WPS agenda and its broad aims and sets out some of the key areas of debate and critique thus far.