Women needed for peace: 25th anniversary of UN resolution 1325

Blog post | 05-11-2025 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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UN wants a bigger role for women in peace and security Exactly 25 years ago the United Nations recognised that women’s role in peace and security processes needed to be strengthened. On 31 October 2000 the organisation adopted a resolution stating that women must participate equally and fully in peace negotiations and be better protected against violence before, during and after conflict situations. The resolution is known as Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. The Netherlands endorsed this resolution and has since developed various National Action Plans on this issue. The government and civil society are currently implementing the fourth National Action Plan, containing agreements on how to put the resolution into practice.

25 years of working to improve women’s rights

For 25 years now, the UN member states have been working in line with resolution 1325 to improve the position of women in conflicts and peace negotiations. This week the Netherlands hosted a major international conference on this topic. Policymakers, military personnel, representatives of civil society organisations and students came from all over the world to learn from one another and look to the future.

It's important to work together at both national and international level and across government and civil society to ensure that women are included in issues relating to peace and security,

‘The glass is half full,’ comments Hof, reflecting on what has been achieved in the last quarter of a century. ‘There are more women negotiators, soldiers, politicians and diplomats in UN missions. They work on a daily basis to promote peace and security, especially at local level. The issue is very much on the agenda, and no one can deny that it’s important. But it’s still the case that nine out of every ten ongoing peace negotiations do not involve women – even though there are more conflicts than ever, with sexual violence continuing to rise.’

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Under the radar

In many conflict areas, women often only manage to play a role in peace negotiations and conflict resolution ‘under the radar’. Yet at the same time, they’re doing a great deal of work out in the open that often goes unacknowledged. ‘I’ve seen for myself in Yemen how women entered into dialogue with the warring parties to secure the return of their abducted children and the bodies of victims. The Netherlands has helped these women by providing training courses and financial support. In Congo we’ve trained women as conflict mediators. When you involve women, the outcomes enjoy broader support.’

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Ukrainian women are setting an example

Another inspiring example comes from Ukraine, where the women’s organisation Ukrainian Women’s Fund is rebuilding communities and helping female victims to bring the perpetrators of sexual violence to justice. ‘We can learn a lot from them,’ says Hof. ‘Including how you can become more resilient as a society, and can continue to function during a conflict. It’s about much more than drones.’

A passion rooted in his upbringing

A passion for equal rights for men and women was instilled in the ambassador from an early age. When his parents met in the 1950s, his father handed his mother a list of his favourite dishes, expecting her to cook them for him. Back then, that was quite normal. But instead, his mother pointed her fiancé to the kitchen, where he turned into quite the chef. ‘That’s a mindset I’m passing onto my sons,’ Hof says. ‘Because the battle for equal rights is by no means won.’