Recognition of Women's Agency: The WPS agenda, codified by UN Security Council Resolution 1325, recognizes women not just as victims of war but as proactive peacemakers, mediators, and negotiators who offer alternative pathways to peace.
An Unfulfilled Promise of Inclusion: Twenty-five years after its adoption, the few processes in which independent delegations of women peacebuilders have been included, or where political delegations have agreed to include a critical mass of women, remain the exception.
Backlash against women's rights: Although 109 states have national action plans committing to implement the agenda's key provisions, the world is currently experiencing a backlash against women's rights and, specifically, the marginalization of women in the already exclusive, male-dominated realms of peace and security decision-making.
Alternative to Elite-Led Processes: Women-led peace initiatives often focus on community-inclusive solutions, addressing the failures of traditional "top-down" elite-led peace processes that frequently ignore the realities of affected populations.
Integration into Global Diplomacy: To remain relevant, global mediation efforts must integrate WPS practice standards into regional organizations and provide rapid, core funding to women-led peacebuilding organizations in war zones.