As we approach the 20-year anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325—the first resolution on women, peace, and security (WPS)—those committed to a gender perspective in peace and security work are faced with a time for reflection on where the agenda has gone and where it may go in the future. This presents an opportunity for considering how the next generation of WPS programs can include an awareness of the varied sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI) of women in conflict around the world.
Although neither Resolution 1325 nor any of the subsequent WPS resolutions explicitly mention LGBTQ individuals, civil society actors have been campaigning to bring attention to lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer women in WPS projects. Paying attention to these individuals is important for moving past policies that default to the needs of cisgender, heterosexual women. Civil society actors are finding new ways to pursue alliances and work in coalitions in an environment that is increasingly hostile to those working for gender equality. By working with those individuals and organizations committed to LGBTQ human rights in the international arena, WPS programs can reflect a more complex understanding of gender.
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Article originally appeared on IPI Global Observatory.
The featured image has been used courtesy of a Creative Commons license.
