On November 4, we came together for the inspiring #NAP1325 High-Level Signatory Event “Navigating 1325 in a New Security Reality.” Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, WO=MEN co-coordinated this event to mark the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace and Security (WPS).” 

The event brought together policymakers, diplomats, military professionals, and representatives from women’s and youth organizations and civil society around the world, to learn from each other and look ahead. 

In today’s world of hybrid threats, AI-driven disinformation targeting anti-gender and anti-democratic narratives, shrinking civic space, and reduced funding for women’s organizations worldwide, the WPS agenda is more urgent than ever.

Throughout the day, participants explored the four pillars of the WPS agenda through themed side-sessions: participation in peace processes, gender-responsive leadership, prevention, and protection against gender-based violence during conflicts and wars.

Without equal participation of women, there can be no sustainable peace.

Key insights from the day:

 ✔ Integrate WPS and the gender perspective into diplomacy, defence, and development cooperation. Ensure coherence, funding, and accountability at both national and international levels — and give priority to women from conflict-affected areas by providing a platform for their voices.

✔ Address conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and impunity through survivor-centered justice and international accountability mechanisms.

✔ Engage men and masculinities in peacebuilding to promote inclusive security.

As Pascalle Grotenhuis, Director General International Cooperation, emphasised: 

“Lasting peace is only possible when women are safe, heard, and able to participate in decision-making. Only together—through cooperation between diplomacy, defence, and civil society—can we build a just, inclusive, and sustainable peace.”

And in the words of Chief of Defence, Onno Eichelsheim:

“People are at the heart of everything we do. You cannot protect what you do not understand. If you do not include women and girls, you only see half the picture. That is the power of the gender perspective: it makes our planning better and our operations more effective. 1325 is a mission for the future that we can only achieve together.”

Voices from the closing panel 

In the closing panel, five key voices shared their insights from the day:

Grace Achan, Survivor Network SEMA Uganda:

“What stood out today is the importance of amplifying the voices of survivors and creating safe spaces. We must support women and work inclusively to strengthen the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Prevention is key: let’s prevent violence rather than only respond to it. It is crucial to support survivor-led grassroots organizations and adopt a survivor-centered approach when responding to violence. The WPS agenda requires the engagement of both men and women in a safe space.” 

Reem Ghassan, Peace and Freedom Organisation Iraq:

“The story of violence is similar everywhere, as are the challenges. We feel supported when we share our experiences. Whenever we want to promote peace, we need to invest in WPS programs. The backlash against the women’s rights movement and WPS is a clear strategy, and solidarity is mandatory for all of us to counter it. We must believe in each other to move forward. WPS is a peace strategy: to prevent war and promote peace, we need to invest. Solidarity is essential; we need to support each other because this is not an individual story. We must fight against the strategy that undermines women’s rights. Men need to be engaged because this is about peace—for our families, our countries, and our world.”

Patrick Cammaert, (retired) UN major-general:

“In armed conflict today, it is more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier. We need more action and less talk. We should avoid WPS becoming a women’s issue because it is also a men’s issue. Men are often the obstacles to progress on Women, Peace and Security.”

Ella van den Heuvel, WPS Advisor, Ministry of Defence:

“Just do it. We have so many plans and actions; now we need to implement them. We must support projects that help women become independent. Women should always support women. For the Ministry of Defence, implementing the WPS agenda starts with leadership. Military leadership matters, and we have seen support from our Chief of Defence. In the Netherlands, we work with civil society, Foreign Affairs, Defence, and others. Our NAP1325 community is special: it is an example for other countries. This beautiful mix—this unique collaboration between civil society and ministries—is the key to impact.”

Caecilia Wijgers, Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

“We need common energy. Times have changed, and the world faces many conflicts. We need to strategize and take the roles we have—as students, leaders, human rights defenders—and realize that change is happening now. Youth is crucial. Leadership solidarity is key, and we must speak an intergenerational, adaptive language. WPS is not charity or a moral obligation; it is about lasting peace. WPS is a peace strategy.”

Looking ahead

As the day drew to a close, one message resonated throughout the room: the Women, Peace and Security agenda is not just a commitment, but a collective mission.

In the words of many participants, WPS is a peace strategy for our time.

Together, through collaboration between diplomacy, defence, and civil society, we continue to work toward an inclusive, just, and sustainable peace — one where women’s voices are not only heard, but lead the way.