United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 was adopted in 2000. Thereafter many other resolutions were adopted to strengthen the women, peace and security agenda. Nevertheless, it is widely recognized that implementation has been rather slow.

  • How has Africa responded to UNSCR 1325?
  • What are the major gaps and challenges?
  • What are the prospects for a better protection and participation of women and girls in Africa?

Key speaker: Mme. Bineta Diop, Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, African Union (AU)

Moderator: Dr. Torunn L. Tryggestad, PRIO

Bineta Diop has been at the forefront of women’s rights in Africa with particular focus on issues of women, peace and security for over 30 years. She is the Founder and Chair of the Executive Board of Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) that seeks to foster, strengthen and promote the leadership role of women in conflict prevention, management and resolution on the African continent.

In January 2014, she was appointed by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission as Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security with the mandate to ensure that the voices of the women and the vulnerable are heard much more clearly in peace building and conflict resolution.

She played an instrumental role in achieving gender parity within the African Union Commission and in the adoption of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa as well as the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. In 2011, Time Magazine named Ms. Diop one of the 100 most influential people in the world.