The Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department (PAPS) of the African Union Commission, through its Gender Peace and Security Programme (GPSP) and FemWise-Africa Secretariat, in partnership with Nett4Peace and GIZ, successfully convened Member States in Benin for the Annual Coordination Meeting on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda, marking 25 years since UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325). The high-level gathering brought together AU Member States that have adopted National Action Plans (NAPs) on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325), providing a strategic platform to assess implementation progress, exchange best practices, and develop accelerated strategies to address emerging challenges including climate insecurity, digital threats, and persistent gender inequalities in peace processes.
Held at a critical juncture – 25 years after UNSCR 1325’s adoption – the meeting aligned with the AU’s continental study assessing WPS Agenda implementation in Africa. The study evaluates progress, identifies barriers, and highlights local solutions while addressing emerging challenges like political transitions, climate change, and digital security threats. Its findings will strengthen policy coherence, improve financing, and amplify women’s leadership to inform actionable recommendations for inclusive security strategies across the continent.
Delegates underscored the urgent need to translate Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) policy commitments into tangible action, particularly in addressing evolving conflict dynamics, terrorism, climate-related insecurity, gender-based violence, and the weaponization of digital technologies. Participants reaffirmed the critical role of governments in implementing WPS commitments, emphasizing the need for greater policy alignment, sustainable funding, and women’s meaningful participation in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. These discussions directly informed the AU’s ongoing continental study, ensuring its recommendations address implementation gaps while accelerating impact across the continent.
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In his opening remarks, Ambassador Akok Manyuat Madut, Head of the AU Mediation and Dialogue Division, speaking on behalf of H.E. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, stated: “As we begin this consultation, I challenge us all to think boldly… Above all, let us uphold the principle that ‘Women Lead. Peace Follows’–not as a slogan, but as a blueprint for action.”
Mrs. Agnes Badou, representing H.E. Prof. Mèdessè Véronique Tognifodé, Minister of Social Affairs and Microfinance of Benin, reinforced the host government’s commitment: “The WPS Agenda is a compass for women’s meaningful involvement in Africa’s development. It demands our firm political will, stronger partnerships, and, critically, adequate resources. Peace cannot wait.”
The meeting concluded with a strong reaffirmation of collective commitment to accelerate WPS implementation across Africa, ensuring that women’s leadership and gender equality remain central to peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and reconciliation efforts. Participants underscored the importance of maintaining an annual platform for knowledge exchange, sharing best practices, and joint strategizing while recognizing the unique contexts and specificities of different countries and regions to drive more impactful and results-oriented progress.
