In Focus: International Youth Day: Young leaders for Women, Peace and Security speak out

“As a young Indigenous woman from the Bangsamoro region, I believe the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda is integral to our survival, healing, dignity, and meaningful participation in shaping a peaceful future, as long as it is localized, contextualized, and responsive to the distinct realities of our communities. The Philippines was the first country in Asia to adopt a National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325, demonstrating its commitment to women's inclusion in peace and security efforts. This commitment takes on even greater significance in the Bangsamoro context, where the challenges are both historical and ongoing. Women in the region have long contributed to peacebuilding—at the negotiating table, in civil society and within our communities. Yet despite these contributions, Indigenous women remain among the most marginalized, often facing tokenism even with existing laws and mechanisms that claim to promote inclusion. To address this gap, the WPS agenda must be more than a policy—it must be localized, contextualized and responsive to the distinct realities of our communities. In doing so, it can offer more than symbolic progress; it can bring about transformative change. The WPS agenda gives us hope that peace in the Bangsamoro will one day not just be written in agreements but genuinely felt in the daily lives of every woman and child.”

- Ricamae Ented, Secretary General of the Teduray, Lambangian Youth and Students Association, Philippines

View: UN Women Philippines Facebook page

We asked Keonetra why young people should care about the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda:

"To me, the WPS agenda is much more than a policy framework. It's an essential approach for addressing complex and interconnected social issues, such as the climate crisis, economic injustice and gender inequality. WPS gender-centred approaches are crucial to building an equitable and sustainable society. The WPS approach reduces inequalities and builds a system that works for everyone regardless of their identities and economic status. That's why young people must care about WPS. For the specific context of Cambodia, our youth population is the dominant demographic. Hence, I believe that young people are a driving force and a good partner in challenging harmful and deep-rooted gender norms, social injustice, addressing gender-based violence on marginalized identities, and promoting leadership and inclusive participation. However, to enable this, policymakers or decision-makers must provide a meaningful space for participation to include youth, women, LGBTQIA+ and marginalized groups in the WPS process. It's time for policymakers to recognize young people's role in advancing WPS."

- Keonetra Pech, Youth Advisor, UN Youth Advisory Panel, Cambodia

View UN Women Regional Office Facebook page

This is what Himaya had to say when we asked ‘What does the Women, Peace and Security agenda mean to you?’:  

“Women and girls have long been disproportionately affected by war, conflict and power. Yet, they continue to be excluded from spaces where they must be included, and silenced in conversations they need to be part of. For far too long, women have been portrayed as victims of their own making. And yet, women around the world have worked tirelessly for our realities to be seen. We play a pivotal role in ensuring peace and equality. The Women, Peace and Security agenda is a symbol of a life worthy of dignity and respect for all women, girls and children. It reflects the vital roles women play toward advocating for peace and equality. It’s a call for all governments and world leaders. It’s a better future we must work towards together — and one that we are capable of.”

- Fawzul Himaya Hareed, Head of Communications at Sisterhood Initiative in Sri Lanka

View UN Women Sri Lanka Facebook.

To help improve understanding, especially among young people, we asked Uyen how she describes the Women, Peace and Security agenda to people who don’t know much about it.

“Women, Peace and Security (WPS) might sound unrelated if you are not familiar with this concept before, and are living in a society without armed conflicts or war. But, in reality, this agenda matters everywhere. It highlights the importance of women’s equal opportunities and meaningful participation in addressing social issues, including promoting and sustaining peace, responding to non-traditional security challenges like violence against women and children, climate change, cybersecurity, etc. and contributing to building safe and happy communities.

“WPS agenda reflects both the goal and the pathway toward fulfilling women’s right to equality. It means equal chances to participate and make decisions, equal relationships at home, at work and in society, and the right to live free from gender-based violence as well as positively thrive without being limited by social stereotypes and gender norms.”

- Phan Thu Uyen Hoang, Deputy Director, Center for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender, Family, Women and Adolescents, Viet Nam

View posts: UN Women Regional Office Facebook (English) | UN Women Viet Nam Facebook (Tiếng Việt)