Women, peace and security
On this page
- Canada’s commitment to the global women, peace and security agenda
- Women, peace and security agenda
- Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations
- Canada’s ambassador for women, peace and security
Armed conflict affects women, men, girls and boys in different ways.
Women and girls around the world face discrimination based on their gender. Displaced women and refugees are especially vulnerable, in particular to conflict-related sexual violence.
At the same time, women and girls play a key role in preserving their communities. Their economic and social responsibilities may increase in times of war. They often act as agents of peace, leading movements that eventually bring the warring parties to the negotiation table. Women often address the root causes of a conflict and increase community buy-in.
Yet, conflict resolution processes frequently exclude women.
Canada’s commitment to the global women, peace and security agenda
Canada knows that peace is more likely to be sustainable when women are fully involved in the resolution of conflict, as well as in peace and security efforts. More inclusive, gender-equal and peaceful societies are possible when women participate in:
- conflict prevention
- conflict resolution
- peacekeeping
- post-conflict state building
Women, peace and security agenda
Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) [on women and peace and security] was the first Security Council resolution to recognize the unique and disproportionate effects of armed conflict on women and girls. It urges the UN, UN member states and others to address these circumstances.
Today, the women, peace and security agenda is comprehensive. It comprises ten “WPS” resolutions and an additional resolution dedicated to women in peacekeeping. There is also a Security Council resolution dedicated to youth, peace and security, which Canada strives to implement as part of its women, peace and security efforts. The agenda calls on the international community to, for example:
- promote and support women’s active and meaningful participation in all formal and informal conflict-prevention and conflict-resolution mechanisms and institutions, as well as mainstream a gender perspective into all peace and security activities and strategies in areas including the following:
- mediation and peace negotiations
- relief and recovery aid management and planning
- peace operations, stabilization missions, security sector reform and counterterrorism and the prevention of violent extremism
- addressing new and emerging security threats, such as transnational interference, hybrid warfare, climate-related insecurity, cyber attacks and threats related to the Arctic and space
- promote and safeguard the human rights of women and girls and take special measures to protect them from sexual and gender-based violence in situations of armed conflict, including by:
- prosecuting perpetrators
- ensuring that survivors of sexual violence have access to justice, including reparations
- increasing survivors’ access to health care, psycho-social support and socio-economic reintegration services
- providing to peace operation personnel robust pre-deployment training on countering sexual exploitation and abuse
To date, 117 countries have established national action plans on women, peace and security to advance this agenda.
Canada launched its first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in 2010 (for 2011 to 2016) and its second in 2017 (for 2017 to 2022). In 2024, Canada launched its third national action plan, Foundations for Peace, for 2023 to 2029.
Coordinated by Global Affairs Canada, Foundations for Peace provides a cross-government approach involving ten federal partners. It reflects Canada’s resolve to sustain its role as a global leader on women, peace and security and to act with humility and determination in advancing the agenda at home and abroad.
Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations
Canada supports women’s meaningful participation in peace operations through initiatives such as the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations. This initiative works to increase the number of uniformed women deployed in UN peace operations and address barriers to their participation in national security institutions.
Canada’s ambassador for women, peace and security
Canada knows that women’s full participation in the resolution of conflict and the integration of gender perspectives into peace and security efforts result in a more stable and secure world.
The ambassador for women, peace and security reinforces these goals as part of their central role in furthering Canada’s national action plan. In March 2025, the term of Canada’s first ambassador for women, peace and security concluded, and Canada is considering options to continue demonstrating leadership on the agenda, both domestically and internationally.
Related links
- UN Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security (only available in English)
- Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security
- Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence
- Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations
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