RESDAL participates in the policy forum “Reflecting on 25 Years of the WPS Agenda: Lessons Learned from Gender Research and UN Peace Operations”

On October 9, the International Peace Institute (IPI), in partnership with the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations (led by Global Affairs Canada), the Stimson Center, the Latin American Security and Defence Network (RESDAL), and the Gender and Security Sector Lab (GSS), co-hosted a hybrid policy forum titled “Reflecting on 25 Years of the WPS Agenda: Lessons Learned from Gender Research and UN Peace Operations.” 

The conversation provided an opportunity to share research findings, reflect on lessons and challenges for women in peacekeeping, consider the role of research in advancing the WPS agenda, and strengthen communities of practice to ensure the sustainable implementation of recommendations on gender equality in peacekeeping. With discussions around UN reforms underway, severe funding crises, shrinking space for women’s civil society, and rising anti-gender backlash, partnerships between researchers, practitioners, and member states committed to defending and advancing the WPS agenda are more important than ever. 

A Space for Reflection and Dialogue

The meeting provided an opportunity to share research findings, analyze lessons learned and challenges faced by women in peace missions, and discuss the role of research in advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda.

It also helped strengthen communities of practice dedicated to ensuring the sustainable implementation of gender equality recommendations in peacekeeping. 

In the context of ongoing UN reforms, funding crises, the shrinking space for civil society, and a growing anti-rights discourse, participants underscored that partnerships among researchers, practitioners, and Member States are now more essential than ever to sustain and deepen the progress achieved. 

Speakers and contributions 

Opening remarks were delivered by Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, President and CEO of the International Peace Institute, and Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian, Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). 

Panelists included Jacqueline O’Neill, former Women, Peace, and Security Ambassador for Canada and Director at Global Affairs Canada; Lisa Sharland, Senior Fellow and Director of Protecting Civilians & Human Security at the Stimson Center; Elisa Rial, Programme Coordinator at the Latin American Security and Defence Network (RESDAL); Roya Izadi, Assistant Professor at the University of Rhode Island; Joana Osei-Tutu, Deputy Director of the Women Youth Peace and Security Institute at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC); and Colonel Roger Nilsson, Counsellor and Military Advisor at the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations. 

Christian Saunders, Under-Secretary-General and Special Coordinator on Improving the UN Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, delivered the closing remarks. The discussion was moderated by Phoebe Donnelly, Senior Fellow and Head of Women, Peace, and Security at IPI. 

Key insights 

Speakers reflected on the progress and remaining challenges in integrating gender perspectives in peacekeeping operations. They emphasized the importance of institutional leadership, accountability, and data-driven research in translating WPS principles into practice.

Discussions also underscored the continued need to bridge research, policy, and operational implementation—ensuring that lessons from gender-focused studies are applied to training, doctrine, and planning at both national and mission levels. 

Participants highlighted that while women’s participation in peacekeeping has increased, representation in decision-making and leadership positions remains limited. Ensuring the sustainability of progress requires ongoing collaboration among UN agencies, member states, civil society, and academia. 

RESDAL’s participation 

Representing RESDAL, Elisa Rial joined the panel virtually and shared insights drawn from the organization’s regional research under the Elsie Initiative. Rial emphasized that national defence institutions in the Global South have demonstrated a growing commitment to the WPS agenda, with increasing inclusion of women in their ranks and leadership. She noted that this progress is most effective when backed by top-level endorsement and integrated into institutional protocols and training. 

“Contrary to what is sometimes assumed, there is no real backlash against the WPS agenda within defence institutions in the Global South,” Rial observed. “On the contrary, there is a strong willingness to engage—to discuss how to keep advancing the agenda and how best to implement it within their own structures. Regional solidarity and peer learning are essential to sustain these efforts.” 

Rial also underscored the value of Elsie-funded research in identifying gaps in awareness and implementation of gender-related frameworks within defence and police institutions. She highlighted RESDAL’s forthcoming work to develop a regional database and guide to make these tools more accessible and usable across institutions. 

Throughout this participation, RESDAL reaffirmed its commitment to fostering regional collaboration and evidence-based policymaking, promoting solidarity among Global South institutions, and contributing to global dialogue on how to make the WPS agenda a sustainable and institutionalized reality.  


Watch the full conference (YouTube)