The “UNSCR 1325@25 – Celebrating 25 years of Women, Peace and Security” was organised by Pathways to Peace to mark the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325. The UNSCR 1325 is the pioneering international framework for recognizing and promoting women’s full and equal participation in building peace and security. Sri Lanka’s first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP – WPS) (2023-2027) draws inspiration from this global framework committed to safeguarding women from the impacts of conflict and recognising the pivotal role they play in transformative peacebuilding, reconciliation, and governance.

Pathways to Peace – Building Inclusive Governance and Social Cohesion marked this significant milestone by celebrating women-led peacebuilding in Sri Lanka. It showcased the amazing work of women’s rights organisations (WROs) funded by the Pathways to Peace – Women, Peace and Security Fund. The WPS Fund supports WROs working in its seven targeted districts (Jaffna, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Puttalam) to implement projects furthering Sri Lanka’s WPS NAP  and the agenda of UNSCR 1325 and associated UN Resolutions.

The UNSCR 1325@25 event was instrumental in strengthening linkages between government officials and WROs to advance implementation of the WPS NAP and 1325 agenda. It also provided the attending WROS the opportunity to network among themselves with the intention of promoting greater synergy and collaboration.

Pathways to Peace: Building Inclusive Governance and Social Cohesion is a five-year project (2024-2029) funded by the Government of Canada and implemented by Alinea International. The Women, Peace and Security Fund is but one of the many initiatives of Pathways to Peace that aim to strengthen peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka among and within religious, ethnic and linguistic communities, particularly for women and girls.