To mark the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, the Global Alliance of Regional Women Mediator Networks — with the contribution of the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network (MWMN) and in collaboration with UN Women — organized a side event titled “25 Years of UNSCR 1325: Bridging the Gap Between Rhetoric and Reality in Women’s Participation in Peace.” The event took place on 29 October at 15:30 at UN Headquarters in New York, during the official anniversary week.
Twenty-five years after the adoption of Resolution 1325 — the first UN resolution to formally recognize the critical role of women in conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding — the event reflected on the significant progress achieved to date. Participants noted the development of national action plans, the creation of women mediator networks and growing global awareness of gender-responsive peace processes. At the same time, discussions highlighted the structural barriers, political resistance and under-investment that continued to limit women’s meaningful participation in peace and mediation efforts.
The side event brought together women mediators from across the Global Alliance to share lessons learned and explore forward-looking strategies to close the gap between political commitments and the reality on the ground. The programme featured high-level remarks, two panel discussions and an interactive session with the audience, which generated concrete recommendations to strengthen women’s leadership and inclusion in peace processes. For the MWMN, María Solanas contributed to the discussion, drawing on her recent analytical work on WPS and mediation in a changing global order.
Through its contribution to the event, the MWMN reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to inclusive mediation and to advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda at regional and global levels. The initiative also strengthened cooperation between mediator networks, the United Nations, regional organisations and civil ociety.
Among the key outcomes were increased visibility for the work of women mediators, reinforced institutional partnerships, and the development of an action-oriented brief outlining priorities and strategies for the next phase of UNSCR 1325 implementation — ensuring that this anniversary served not only as a moment of reflection, but also as a platform for renewed commitment.
