Women, Peace & Security
Synergies and political strategies
The Canadian Coalition for Youth, Peace & Security (CCYPS) was founded by a group of young activists with deep roots in the Women, Peace & Security (WPS) field. These young women spent years participating in national and global WPS forums, where they repeatedly observed a significant lack of youth representation.
Meanwhile, the Government of Canada has positioned itself as a "WPS Champion," boasting a robust WPS policy and programmatic portfolio developed over the past two decades. This strong political commitment to WPS created a favorable environment for engagement.
Recognizing this opportunity, the CCYPS intentionally chose to enter the WPS space to leverage and strengthen the synergy between the Women, Peace & Security and Youth, Peace & Security (YPS) agendas.
Where do WPS and YPS meet?
Women, Peace and Security (WPS) is a global framework established by UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which acknowledges the critical role women play in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. The framework emphasizes women's participation, protection, and prevention of violence.
Youth, Peace and Security (YPS), rooted in UNSCR 2250, similarly recognizes the role of young people in peace processes. The synergy between WPS and YPS lies in their shared goals of meaningful inclusion, challenging traditional victimhood narratives, and empowering marginalized groups to actively contribute to peace and security efforts.
The "WPS" Agenda:
The UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) that form the "WPS" agenda collectively aim to enhance the role of women in peace and security, address gender-based violence, and ensure accountability and protection in conflict situations.
The foundational resolution that recognizes the impact of war on women and their crucial role in peacebuilding. It calls for increased participation of women in peace processes and protection from gender-based violence.
Addresses sexual violence in conflict, emphasizing that such acts can constitute war crimes and must be systematically prosecuted.
Strengthens UNSCR 1820 by establishing leadership positions to address sexual violence in conflicts and provides protection for women and girls.
Focuses on women's participation in peace processes and post-conflict reconstruction, urging for more women in decision-making roles.
Establishes monitoring and reporting mechanisms for sexual violence in conflict, and calls for accountability of perpetrators.
Further emphasizes the need for accountability for sexual violence in conflicts and calls for national governments to prevent such violence.
Calls for a more comprehensive approach to women’s leadership and participation in conflict prevention and resolution.
Integrates WPS into the work of counterterrorism and countering violent extremism, recognizing the links between these issues and women’s rights.
Emphasizes survivor-centered approaches to addressing sexual violence in conflict and the need for services for survivors.
Reaffirms commitment to the full implementation of all WPS resolutions and emphasizes the importance of national action plans.
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