UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 is a much-discussed and well-known component of the modern Women, Peace, & Security (WPS) agenda. It urged actors at the national, regional, and international levels to meaningfully increase women’s participation and incorporate gender perspectives in security efforts. It also calls on all parties to a conflict to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, in situations of armed conflict. Additionally, the resolution provides a number of important operational mandates, with implications for UN Member States and organizations connected with the United Nations system. Simply put, UNSCR 1325 lays out goals and ideals for member nations to aspire and work toward when considering the role of women within their country.
Since the UNSCR 1325 was established, many countries have worked to develop nation-level plans to work toward these goals. These plans are called National Action Plans (NAPs) and have been highly studied in the WPS field. The purpose of a NAP is to translate the WPS agenda into concrete commitments and actionable goals that specific countries can use as a roadmap. Our research tool has examples of NAPs from around the world.