Article: Current Challenges and Continuing Relevance of the United Nations Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Considering Mali as a Case-Study - March 2023

The United Nations Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda was inaugurated in 2000 with the unanimous adoption of the Security Council landmark resolution 1325. This resolution, together with the ones that followed, described as a “norm bundle”, are a crucial framework to address the unique ways in which women and girls are affected by conflict and to promote their protection and participation in the maintenance of peace and security, in conflict prevention and post-conflict efforts. However, despite the headway that has been made over the past 20 years there are still many challenges. This article explores the several current challenges and highlights the need to make the agenda a living instrument that evolves and effectively adapts to the rapid changes of the world. It places a strong focus on preventing violent extremism and on the impact of armed conflict and violence on the condition of women, especially in Mali, with their rights and freedoms being severely undermined.