International Goodwill and Understanding
What is UN Security Council Resolution 1325?
The adoption of UN Resolution 1325 in October 2000 was historic, marking the first time that the UN Security Council highlighted the specific impact of war and conflict on women and girls. The Resolution builds on concepts identified in other international documents, including the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Like other Security Council resolutions, Resolution 1325 is a statement of commitment made by the UN and its member states to take action on the issues of women, peace and security. Specifically, Resolution 1325 calls for:
- the protection of women during and after armed conflict;
- an end to exemptions from punishment (impunity) for those engaging in gender-based violence and abuse during and after conflict;
- the integration of gender perspectives in peace-making and peace-keeping activities, and
- the participation of women in all levels of decision-making and activities related to conflict prevention and resolution.
Since its adoption, some progress has been made in the implementation of Resolution 1325. The UN is placing a higher priority on assigning ‘gender advisors’ to assist peace-keeping and peace-building missions, and international awareness of the gender-based needs of victims of violence, internally displaced persons, and women and girl combatants has grown. However, as evidenced by the continuing gender-based violence in the Sudan and other conflict-torn areas, recent reports of gender-based abuses perpetrated by some UN peacekeeping forces, and the lack of a national framework for the implementation of UN Resolution 1325 in most if not all UN member states, there is still a long way to go.
Dot Hunter
March 2005
