Volume 24 Number 4

There is often a moment in time that acts as a rallying point around a particular issue. 2015 is one of those moments for women, peace and security. 2015 is the twentieth anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, the vision of which was gender equality and the empowerment of women everywhere. The Beijing Platform for Action recognised that ‘local, national, regional and global peace is attainable and is inextricably linked with the advancement of women, who are a fundamental force for leadership, conflict resolution and the promotion of lasting peace at all levels’.

2015 is also the fifteenth anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, which recognises both the differential impact of war on women and the pivotal role women do and should play in conflict management, conflict resolution, and sustainable peace. The UNSC has commissioned a global study that examined women’s role in peace and security over the last 15 years, with inputs from a broad range of stakeholders across the world. In October 2015 the UNSC will convene a high-level review of women, peace and security, drawing on the findings of the global study, to assess progress at the global, regional and national levels in implementing UNSCR 1325 and to chart a new way forward to achieve the participation of women in peace and security sector processes and decision-making and to enhance the security of women.

In this crucial year, this special issue of African Security Review is dedicated to the theme of women, peace and security in Africa.

Romi Sigsworth (Editor)

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