The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda, which emerged following the adoption of United Nations Resolution 1325 in 2000, constitutes a policy framework that acknowledges women’s essential role in all endeavors to establish sustainable global peace and security. This agenda emphasizes four fundamental pillars: participation, protection, prevention, and relief and recovery. They underscore the necessity of involving women in peace and security initiatives, safeguarding them from harm, preventing sexualized violence, and ensuring their needs are addressed throughout relief and recovery efforts. In addition to governmental measures, numerous non-governmental entities, including several KOFF organizations, have worked hard to support the implementation of this agenda. However, recent years have witnessed a so-called gender backlash that threatens these advancements.
Arisen amidst a surge of authoritarianism and populism in 2015, this backlash entails resolute resistance to women’s and LGBTQ+ people’s rights and their increasing prominence in the public sphere as advocates of gender equality. This offensive takes various forms, including the silencing and repression of organizations advocating for gender equality, excluding women from peace processes, rising rates of sexual and gender-based violence, constraints on reproductive health, and the amplification of hate speech, especially on social networks, targeting women, feminist peace movements, and LGBTQI+.
How has this backlash impacted the efforts of KOFF organizations and their partners dedicated to the Women, Peace, and Security agenda? What strategies are they employing to navigate these challenges? The September edition of the à propos magazine explores this current issue.
I wish you a pleasant read.
Sanjally Jobarteh, Editor of KOFF magazine