Celebrating 25 Years of Women, Peace and Security

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

For a quarter-century, this agenda has aimed to change how peace and security are built.

This exhibition recognises the women leaders and the organisations that have prevented conflict, mediated disputes, protected communities, and rebuilt lives, with the EU, UN Women and partners helping turn principles into practice.

We welcome you to explore this work and to reflect how we are effective only when participation, gender analysis, and institutional leadership are in place.

These photos remind us that peace is stronger when everyone shapes it.

Protection: Defending Rights, Upholding Dignity

Across conflicts, women work for peace, security and justice. In doing so, they often face criminalisation, surveillance, and attacks. 

The Women, Peace and Security agenda requires safeguarding the civic space. It calls on leaders, lawmakers, police, militaries, and peacekeepers to meet their duty:  protect their citizens from violations such as conflict‑related sexual violence and trafficking.

The results of EU and UN Women acting for Women Peace and Security are tangible: shelters in Ukraine, trauma services in Sudan, support networks in the DRC. 

Protection delivers power to live, to rebuild, to decide.

Coordinating justice for survivors of Conflict Related Sexual Violence

Law enforcement, government agencies and civil society unite to protect survivors of conflict‑related sexual violence, addressing legal gaps through a dedicated joint working group.

(EUAM Ukraine)

Women mentoring mission-ready soldiers

A woman instructor builds safe weapons handling, accurate fire, and disciplined restraint – skills that safeguard people, units, and communities.

(EUMAM, Mozambique)

Women on duty on the United Nations Day

Women on the front line protect civilian vessels and maritime corridors, turning commitments into security at sea.

(EUNAVFOR ASPIDES)

Awareness-raising in Bangui

Police and civil society partners training students on gender‑based violence and trafficking, turning awareness into early prevention and protection 

(EUAM, Central African Republic)

Advancing equality, protecting survivors

Leadership commitment to gender equality enhances the civilian security sector and capacities to tackling war‑related challenges, including conflict‑related sexual violence.

(EUAM, Ukraine)

Prevention: Understanding Realities, Acting Inclusively

Conflicts can best be prevented when all environmental and societal issues are properly addressed; this includes the recognition of women’s roles, and upholding their rights.

Conflicts can only be addressed by analysing whose voices are missing, who is affected, where power sits, and how that shapes decisions and risks. 

Across the Sahel, Horn of Africa, Western Balkans and Asia, UN Women & EU‑supported women’s organisations and networks prevent recruitment by armed groups, mediate local disputes, and advance education and livelihoods that foster stability. 

Prevention begins with women: roles recognised, needs understood, lived realities respected.

Ensuring security at sea

A servicewoman raises the European flag, embodying unity, vigilance and deterrence that help prevent threats and keep sea lanes safe.

(EUNAVFOR ASPIDES)

Training women in video surveillance systems

Inclusion in video surveillance training builds the skills needed to spot risks early, adding perspectives that sharpen situational awareness and decision‑making.

(EUTM, Somalia)

Observation for early warning

Mission staff observe along the administrative boundary line and engage communities, turning dialogue and incident reporting into early warning that reduces tensions and prevents escalation.

(EUMM Georgia)

Risk management at borders

Women interpreters enable respectful exchanges on trafficking and abuse, making hidden risks visible and preventing harm at borders.

(EUBAM Libya)

Participation: Empowering Women’s Leadership in Peace and Security

Women’s participation shapes peace and security decisions at all levels, as community actors, leaders, mediators and political decision makers. 

Political and financial support to women’s movements drives lasting equality. 

The EU and UN Women work globally to empower women’s leadership in protection, conflict prevention, resolution, peacebuilding, and recovery. 

Participation is not an add-on; it is the foundation of lasting peace and inclusive security.

 “I used to plan everything a year or two ahead, but now it’s impossible.” Hanna used to be an accountant before she became a deminer for MAG.

Marharyta, MAG Team Leader. "Before joining MAG, I was an accountant. I didn’t know humanitarian demining organisations existed."

“Home is home, no matter what,” says Tonya, MAG Team Leader. Despite the ongoing fear and uncertainty, she remains determined to help her country recover: “I want peace.”

Olena, MAG deminer. “This job tempers your spirit and checks your stress resistance: I didn’t know I was so strong.”

On Sri Lanka’s former frontlines, women deminers are playing a vital role in clearing explosive remnants of war and helping the country move toward being landmine-free within the decade.

Parimala has been clearing land in northern Sri Lanka for the last five years. As a single parent to three children, she is able to financially support her family while helping her country recover from conflict.

MAG deminers relax between shifts, close to the Thalladi mine field in northern Sri Lanka. Some 11 women are currently working on this site, and the sense of sisterhood among them is strong.

During the Sri Lankan civil war, Kandasamy lost her eldest child and one of her legs in an air strike. Now a deminer with MAG and a single mother, she is the sole breadwinner for her family.

In Dokan, Iraq, four Kurdish deminers showcase their heritage through traditional dress, united by their crucial work in clearing landmines.

Once a teacher and now a deminer in Dokan, Iraq, Houras clears mines to protect her community and inspire her children.

After surviving ISIS in Mosul, Iraq, Rawa and Siham now work as MAG deminers, supporting their families and playing a critical role in helping their community recover and rebuild.

Marking a decade since the Yazidi genocide, Holya, Fahima, and Berivan stand united near Duhok, Iraq, honouring their community’s resilience through their work as deminers.

MAG’s all-female demining team in Zimbabwe talk about being a family; living, working and eating together during their stints in the camp.

At lunch time in the base camp, deminers in Zimbabwe gather in small groups by their tents to share a meal after a morning in the minefields.

Each month, with work that requires a combination of stamina and intense concentration, women deminers in Zimbabwe are making new swathes of land across the area safe.

Alongside our demining efforts, MAG’s work in the communities is just as vital to saving lives. As a community liaison assistant, Caren teaches schoolchildren life-saving messages through dance and song.

Vit Saphoeun has been a deminer with MAG for 13 years, clearing land in Battambang province, near to where she grew up.

Choeng Dolla from Battambang province, Cambodia, has been a deminer with MAG since 2018. “What I like about this job is getting to know other people and living together like one family.”

Ty Chanlin, from Battambang province, Cambodia, has been a MAG deminer since 2023.

Reoen Sonan, from Battambang province, has worked with MAG since 2000, starting as a deminer before becoming Field Manager. “I have always encouraged women to attend training courses to grow and develop their skills.”

Across the world, and in every country where MAG works, women play a critical role in helping their communities recover and rebuild following the devastation wrought by war.

Relief and Recovery: Rebuilding a Resilient and Democratic Future

During conflict, women step into roles traditionally held by men. Recovery must build on this shift, ensuring women’s contributions translate into lasting power and equality – not a return to unpaid care roles or unaddressed violations, including of their rights to decide economically and politically. This means including women at every stage of rebuilding, from design to decisions and delivery.

In Ukraine, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, EU & UN Women-funded initiatives advance women’s roles in reconstruction, entrepreneurship, and justice. 

Recovery is not a return to the past. It is the foundation of a more equal future.

Restoring confidence after crisis

Mission staff document needs, connect services, and support safe access to livelihoods and education. This work rebuilds confidence and sustains everyday recovery.

(EUMM Georgia)

Building medical capacity

Heart‑monitoring and life‑support training restores essential care and builds Somali Armed Forces medical capacity for recovery. 

(EUTM, Somalia)

Women soldiers setting the standard

Women soldiers turn training and strategic advice into the foundations of disciplined, accountable forces - helping solve crises and build more equitable futures.

(EUTM, Central African Republic)

Corrections training with women cadets

EU training with the Kosovo Correction Women Association builds skills for correctional service, strengthening survivor‑centred practice and the steady recovery of justice systems.

(EULEX, Kosovo)

Rebuilding policing in and after crisis 

Women police in EU missions lead by example, mentor women in partner organisations, and design inclusive training that strengthens survivor‑centred, day‑to‑day policing.

(EUPOL COPPS)

Confidence in public security

Through mentoring and joint operations support, EULEX Reserve Formed Police Unit officers help embed professional, gender‑responsive policing that rebuilds public confidence and sustains everyday recovery.

(EULEX, Kosovo)