Ukraine’s strategies of empowering women in peace-building: implementation of un security council resolution 1325 on women and peace and security

In the second half of the 20th century the issue of rights and opportunities for women became actively discussed in the international politics; however, the peace and security sector did not immediately become gender-sensitive. On 31 October 2000 the UN Security Council adopted the resolution on Women and Peace and Security (S/RES/1325). The resolution reaffirms the important role of women in prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping and humanitarian response as well as in post-conflict reconstruction. It also highlights the importance of women’s equal participation and full involvement in maintenance and promotion of peace and security. UNSC Resolution 1325 urges all members to increase the participation of women and incorporate gender perspectives in UN peace and security efforts. The article discusses the essential role of gender perspective in women’s empowerment strategies adopted in Ukraine that focus on preventing and counteracting armed conflicts, national security, and peace-building. As a UN member state, Ukraine had to adopt Resolution 1325 along with other resolutions of the UN Security Council that are included in Women, Peace and Security agenda. In 2016 the Ukrainian government approved the National Action Plan on Implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325. What seems peculiar is that Ukraine adopted this document during an active military conflict. The article examines the institutional aspects of implementation of the first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security until the adoption of the second National Action Plan on 28 October 2020. In particular, the author analyses the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1325 in Ukraine at the megalevel (international institutions) and the macrolevel (national approval institutions of equal rights and opportunities).