Reclaiming the Women, Peace and Security agenda as it stands at the crossroads

The annual UN Security Council Open Debate on WPS will take place today on 6 October, despite usually taking place at the end of October. The sudden agenda shift by Russia, the current problematic chair, together with US draconian visa restrictions, shrinking civic space and anti-gender backlash means that too much of the world's civil society is excluded. The feminists who shaped, realized and keep realizing the WPS agenda cannot be present in New York.

As PAX we are therefore reclaiming the WPS agenda by centering feminist peace activists at the frontlines. Across Amman, Nairobi, Brussels and New York, we will be co-organizing events to strengthen community-rooted feminist movements in sharing their crucial insights and making actionable recommendations to ensure WPS actions are co-created and are accountable.

The WPS agenda was, and remains, a call to action. It emerged from decades of feminist organising, from communities affected by conflict, from women and gender-diverse people demanding power, protection, participation, peace and security.

As such, we signed up and fully support the following key statements:

#ReclaimWPS25+: English – French – Arabic – Spanish

NGO-WG on WPS: English – French – Spanish – Arabic – Russian

Our events focus on returning to the radical roots of the WPS Agenda, integrating a masculinities lens in its implementation and engaging men in positions of power more strategically with its realization:

8 October in Amman (Jordan): The WPS agenda as an anti-colonial and liberation framework in South West Asia. Returning to the Radical Roots policy research publication and policy briefs with key recommendations and findings.
8 October in Amman (Jordan): Launch Event of Militarized Masculinities Toolkit: Building Pathways for Gender-Transformative Peace
9 October in Amman (Jordan): WPS+25 in the MENA region: Men, Militarization and Masculinities

With the 25^th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security agenda this October, it is more important than ever to reclaim, recenter and decolonize the WPS agenda by shifting power, as armed conflicts, conflict-related sexual violence, and arms expenditure are at an all-time high. Now is the time to decolonize and act!