Preamble   

We, the participants gathered on, 16-17 October 2025, in Windhoek, Republic of Namibia, on the occasion of the Silver Anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), guided by the Beijing Platform of Action, African Union’s vision of a peaceful, prosperous, and gender-equal continent, and the SADC Regional Strategy on Women, Peace and Security;   

Recalling that in October 2000, Namibia presided over the United Nations Security Council when Resolution 1325 was unanimously adopted, made possible by the collective leadership of likeminded nations and the tireless advocacy of women at the grassroots level, and Civil Society Organisation, whose struggles and courage inspired the birth of the Resolution’;   

Recognising that this milestone represented a historic turning point in global peace and security, affirming that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women at all levels of decision-making;   

Honouring the leadership demonstrated at the highest political intergovernmental levels, as well as the steadfast commitment of civil society, grassroots organisations, and community peacebuilders; 

Acknowledge that peace processes which meaningfully include women are more inclusive, integral, enduring, and likely to last longer, and that their participation transforms the quality and sustainability of peace;

Recognising further the committed work of civil society and community-based actors, who have upheld the principles of Resolution 1325 when conflicts have persisted;

Affirming that the legacy of Resolution 1325 belongs to all – political leaders, women mediators who brokered peace, peacekeepers and security actors who safeguarded it, grassroots and youth leaders who continue to nurture it in their communities – together upholding the four pillars of the WPS Agenda, namely prevention, protection, participation, and relief and recovery ;

Recognizing that the proliferation and illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) undermines the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda by exacerbating violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, and hindering women's full participation in peacebuilding.

Acknowledging that the progress achieved over the past 25 years has been made possible through strong collaboration among Member States, Regional Economic Communities, the African Union, the United Nations, civil society, academia, and development partners.

Further Acknowledging that more needs to be done to sustain the momentum, bridge persistent gaps, and ensure that efforts are bold and committed in both design and implementation.

Concerned about the increase number of displacement and trafficking of women and girls.

We therefore:

Reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in all dimensions of peace, security, and governance across Africa.

Recognise that representation must evolve into influence, ensuring that women’s presence in decision-making translates into transformative impact and accountability.

Reaffirm the critical contributions of women in the security sector, whose service and leadership are integral to the prevention of conflict and the protection of peace.

Emphasise the intergenerational imperative of the WPS Agenda by engaging young women and men as co-architects of the next 25 years of peace and security.

Acknowledge that achieving gender equality in peace and security is not aspirational but foundational to democratic governance and lasting peace.

Recognise the importance of Regional Strategies and National Action Plans (NAPs) as key instruments for implementing, monitoring, reviewing and sustaining progress under the WPS Agenda.

Recognise further the need to strenghthen and review the African Union Continental Results Framework for monitoring, evaluation and reporting on the implementation of the WPS Agenda.

Affirm the necessity of regional, continental and international cooperation, solidarity, and shared learning to accelerate implementation and accountability.

Reaffirm that strengthening partnerships remain essential to advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

Recall that our collective progress depends on the alignment of political will, institutional reform, and societal transformation are rooted in Africa’s values of unity, resilience, and inclusion.

Raffirm Africa’s Common Position on the reform of the UN Security Council and recognizing that Africa should be treated as a special case.

Building on the lessons of the past 25 years and inspired by the spirit of Windhoek, we commit to:

• Institutionalise women’s leadership in conflict prevention, peace-making, peacebuilding, and governance at all levels.

• Commit to increase training opportunities in mediation, negotiation, and peace process facilitation, ensuring that international, regional and continental frameworks are realized through skilled and empowered practitioners.

• Ensure equal representation and gender balance in the appointment to leadership and peacekeeping missions.

• Address gender-based violence in conflict situation and fragile settings as a central peace and security priority, by upholding the human rights of women and girls in times of war and peace.

• Promote survivor-centred approaches, smooth reintegration and ensure access to justice and psychosocial support.

• Integrate gender perspectives in early warning, conflict prevention, climate security, and post-conflict recovery mechanisms.

• Support women-led peace initiatives and community mediation networks as part of national and regional peace architectures.

• Promote strong linkage systems between women at grassroots level and decision-making platforms.

• Strengthen the involvement of young women, men and girls, including the boy child in peace and security initiatives and empower them to take up leadership roles, while recognizing them as crucial agents of change and a source of resilience and innovation.

• Promote constructive partnerships among governments, regional organisations, and diverse societal actors, recognizing the complementary roles of all stakeholders in advancing the WPS Agenda.

• Ensure predictable and sustainable financing for implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, including gender-responsive budgeting at national and regional levels.

• Also ensure the strengthening of the capacity of the AUC Chairperson’s Office of the Special Envoy on Women Peace and Security through dedicated budget and predictable funding.

• Strengthen regional cooperation and coordination to promote training exchanges, knowledge sharing, and technical assistance among African States and institutions.

• Address the root causes of conflict by promoting inclusive governance, to ensure sustainable development. • Establish mechanisms to ensure that atrocities endured by women during conflict are adequately acknowledged, addressed, or redressed in post-conflict frameworks.

• Develop gender-responsive arms control and disarmament policies that integrate women's experiences and ensure their full, equal, and meaningful participation in decision-making related to arms control and disarmament.

• Promote academia, research and monitoring of the progress and gaps in the WPS Agenda, in order to promote informed decisions.

• Ensure full and unwavering commitment at the highest political level across Africa to champion and sustain the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

• Further ensure that accountability remains at the core of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, therefore commitments made under Resolution 1325 and subsequent frameworks must translate into tangible results that improve the lives of women and girls affected by conflict.

Call to Action – Securing the Next 25 Years

We call upon all Member States, international, regional and continental institutions, civil society, and partners to renew the spirit of the WPS Agenda, transforming legacy into leverage for the next generation of peace and equality. We therefore call for the empowerment of young women and men, which will ensure intergenerational collaboration for a workable and sustainable world peace.

We urge all actors to sustain and strengthen women’s leadership as mediators, peacebuilders, security professionals, and policymakers, across every sphere of African life.

We further reaffirm that the next 25 years must consolidate Africa’s leadership in implementing UNSCR 1325, expanding the Women, Peace and Security Agenda to address emerging challenges including climate change, technology, and displacement, ensuring peace that is inclusive, just, and lasting.

Adoption

Adopted in Windhoek, Republic of Namibia, on this 17th day of October 2025, on the occasion of the Silver Anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

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