Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Peace Operations:

Together, the five UNSCRs on WPS establish international norms on the participation and representation of women at all levels of decision-making, the protection and promotion of women‘s and girls‘ rights, the protection of women and girls from SGBV, accountability and law enforcement, gender-sensitive training and the mainstreaming of gender perspectives in peace operations. [...] The importance of these resolutions lies in the intricate link between the protection of women‘s rights and their empowerment in all aspects of peace and security processes, and the maintenance of international peace and security. [...] Cited by the AU as an effort ―to enhance the role of women in creating an enabling, stable and peaceful environment for the pursuit of Africa‘s development agenda,‖ the AUGP‘s commitment to promote the effective participation of women in peace operations places several demands on the organs of the AU, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and member states. [...] These include: the use of UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 for gender mainstreaming in policy and practice when working in peace and conflict; the development of coherent and effective strategies through the creation of regional consultative platforms for greater exchange and knowledge sharing; the recruitment and deployment of women in mediation and post-conflict processes; collaboration with UN bodies and A. [...] Launched in October 2010, the decade is conceived as a forum for the collaborative efforts of the AU Office of the Chairperson‘s Women, Gender and Development Directorate, the AU Peace and Security Department (PSD), the Peace and Security Council (PSC), and the Panel of the Wise to further the implementation of UNSCRs 16 Ibid.