Back to the Drawing Board - Reflecting on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in light of MONUSCO

On 31 October 2000, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopts resolution 1325 - with this the disproportionate impact conflict has on women and girls was recognized for the first time ever. This Resolution has become the foundation of what is called the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. The WPS focuses on the gender impacts of conflicts and the participation of women through four pillars: participation, prevention, protection, and relief and recovery.

Although the WPS is applauded by the international community and academics, it also faces serious criticism about its effectiveness. Only 7,8% of uniformed UN personnel in field missions are women. Next to general criticism, the WPS agenda is also deemed inefficient when being implemented during peacekeeping operations (PKO’s). One of the most criticized cases in this matter is the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission (MONUSCO) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). What is the future of the WPS Agenda? The question remains unanswered - till November.