UN Resolution 1325

The adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000 was watershed in the evolution of international women's rights and peace and security issues.

It was the first formal and legal document from the UN Security Council that requires parties in a conflict to respect women's righst and to support their participation in peace negotiations and in post conflict reconstruction.

UNSC Resolution 1325 was the first Security Council Resolution specificially addressing the disproportionate and unique impact of war on women, and womn's special undervalued and under utilized contributions to conflict resolution and sustainable peace. It urges women's equal and full participation as active agents in peace and security.

Among other recommendations to UN and national entities, the Resolution calls for:

- Prosecuting people for crimes against women (often such crimes are committed with impunity);

- Extra protection of girls and women in war zones as they are more often deliberately victimized;

- Appointing more women for peacekeeping operations; and

- Involving more women in negotiations, peace talks and post-war reconstructions planning.