Women’s Participation for Peaceful Change

This research brief is part of a series, initiated in connection to the 20th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 and promotes the realization of the Women, Peace and Security agenda through evidence-based policy and practice. It is the result of a collaboration between the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), and UN Women.

In the two decades since UNSCR 1325, nonviolent uprisings have replaced violent conflict as the leading form of mass political contention. In 2020, women led protests demanding key changes relevant to the WPS agenda in numerous places across the world.

This research brief examines how women’s participation at the frontlines of mass mobilization affects movements’ chances of success in the short and medium-term. It investigates whether women’s inclusion leads to better outcomes, not only for the campaign but also for women in society more broadly.

Authors: Zoe Marks and Erica Chenoweth