“The opening article by Semiha Abdulmelik, who also served as guest editor, provides not only an exhaustive overview of the institutional and normative framework underpinning the WPS agenda at the global and African levels, but also identifies entry points for African Member
States and institutions to have an impact on global policy and practice on UNSCR 1325. Jeanine Cooper’s article titled, ‘Financing for Women, Peace and Security’ discusses the issue of resources for the WPS agenda. Her article identifies innovative models for fundraising in the
area of ‘Public-Private Partnerships’ and also pinpoints the possible obstacles with these models. Rahel Sebhatu’s article argues for a ‘critical feminist’ perspective on UNSCR 1325 and
1820 that would aim for structural transformation in gender relations and a ‘Gender-Just Peace’. Rahel uses the experiences of women in liberation movements in the Horn of Africa to
explore the potential and limitations of their gender emancipatory impact. Obert Hodzi’s article touches on an aspect that combines ‘protection’ and ‘relief and recovery’, two pillars of UNSCR
1325. Obert highlights the limitations of the approach that sees the gendering of United Nations peacekeeping operations as being realized solely through the increase in the numbers of women deployed in peace keeping operations. The article in French, by John Gbenagnon, is more abstract in its focus and argues that a gendered lens is
imperative to not only ensure positive peace but also inclusive socio-economic development.”
