18 November 2013: As part of a series of events on the UN’s women, peace and security (WPS) agenda, a recent lecture reviewed policy developments on these issues, with speakers calling for a stronger gender perspective in conflict resolution, peacebuilding and reconstruction in the post-2015 development agenda. “Women, Peace and Security: Looking Ahead to 2015” took place at UN Headquarters, New York, US, on 18 November 2013.

Keynote speaker Anne-Marie Goetz, Chief Advisor for Peace and Security, UN Women, discussed UN Security Council resolutions on conflict-related sexual violence and the participation of women in UN peace and security efforts. Goetz stressed that the post-2015 and sustainable development processes are a key political opportunity for advancing the women, peace and security agenda. She recommended linking women’s self-determination with their political engagement and conflict prevention efforts, and she underscored the role of civil society in building effective constituencies and promoting accountability for implementing national action plans.

In 2015, the Security Council will conduct a high-level review of women’s participation in UN peace and security efforts and special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence in situations of armed conflict.

The WPS lecture series is organized by the Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein to the UN, along with the Princeton University Liechtenstein Institute for Self-Determination and the PeaceWomen project of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). [PeaceWomen Press Release] [Webcast] [Meeting Summary of Security Council Adoption of Resolution 2122]