WPS in the Security Council

Security Council: Annual Open Debate and Security Council Action

Since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000, the Security Council has met on Women, Peace and Security annually. The format of these meetings have been annual Open Debates discussing the progress made in the implementation of the resolution and have  been held in October. The Council has also frequently meets on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SVIC) in order to discuss findings of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence and recommendations outlined in the SG's report.

At the Open Debates, all fifteen Member States of the Security Council and many other non-Member States have participated. By invitation of the President of the Security Council, representatives of UN agencies and regional organizations have addressed the Council on various provisions ofthe resolution. Open Debates on Women, Peace and Security have included the participation of select civil society representatives.

Prior to the Open Debate meeting in the Security Council, the Secretary-General submits a report with updates and recommendations on the issues. The Security Council can choose to take action on these recommendations by adopting a resolution or presidential statement.

The meetings of the Security Council have resulted in four new Women, Peace and Security resolutions (1820, 1888, 1889, 1960) and nine Women, Peace and security Presidential Statements. These Presidential Statements have called on governments and Member States to commit to broad action, ranging from increasing the number of women at the highest levels of decision-making to ending impunity for gender-based violence. For each resolution and presidential statement, negotiations are conducted by the 15 members of the Security Council. Language is agreed upon and adopted as the official text.

Arria Formula meetings may also be held (usually before the annual Open Debate) in which civil society organizations and other actors can informally brief the Security Council on pressing matters.

PeaceWomen monitors the annual WPS Open Debates through Debate Watch.

Also see PeaceWomen’s Presidential Statement and Arria Formula Meeting pages.

Security Council: Women, Peace and Security in its Geographic Work

The Council acknowledges the importance of implementing SCR 1325, and by virtue of the Council’s decision “to remain actively seized of the matter [of Women, Peace and Security]” (SCR 1325, OP18), the issue remains on the Council’s agenda in the interest of international peace and security. This means that it should be incorporating the tenets, principles and actions outlined in all of its work, including its daily work on country-specific mandates, reports, missions, briefings, presidential statements, and its resolutions. The Security Council’s geographic work relating to peacekeeping missions and country situations all are required to adhere to the WPS Resolutions.

PeaceWomen’s Resolution Watch monitors, extracts and analyzes the gender content of resolutions, which have been adopted by the UN Security Council since October 2000 on current peacekeeping and political missions. Resolution Watch allows for PeaceWomen to gauge good practice and also implementation gaps, allowing for analysis and recommendations.

In addition to adopting resolutions, the Security Council may also call for briefings on country and thematic issues by the Secretariat and relevant stakeholders or experts (usually before Open Debates). In 2009-2010, the Security Council held 25 public briefings, with less than half addressing issues pertinent to Women, Peace and Security. The Security Council can also establish Commissions of Inquiry to investigate and recommend action against violators of international humanitarian and human rights law.

Security Council: Linking Women, Peace and Security with other Thematic Agenda Items

In addition to the thematic agenda item “Women, Peace and Security”, the Security Council also deals with other thematic issues. PeaceWomen (through Debate Watch) also monitors the interconnection with these other thematic agendas including: the protection of civilians, children and armed conflict, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, counter-terrorism, and the maintenance of international peace and security. It is important to assess the interlinkages and overlaps between all of the Security Council themes; and moreover, note how the Women, Peace and Security agenda permeates throughout. PeaceWomen monitors the use of gender language and the references to women’s concerns in all of these topics, in order to best analyze the broader framework in which WPS unfolds and how gender is mainstreamed in the Security Council meetings and work.

To read further advocacy points, see Monthly Action Points (MAP) Report of the NGO Working Group of Women, Peace and Security (NGOWG). The NGOWG’s MAP reports track gaps and challenges in the implementation of Women, Peace and Security Resolutions by providing information from conflict-affected countries on actions the Security Council can and should take. Through monitoring, research and analysis, the MAP provides expert guidance and recommendations to Security Council members and UN actors on how to better implement WPS commitments.