Backgrounder - Canada’s support for the women, peace and security agenda

The 20th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 is the opportunity for a call to action to address noteworthy gaps in the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda.

Women peacebuilders are rarely represented in formal peace and security decision-making processes, receive inadequate funding for and recognition of their work and are the targets of threats and violence. Women’s participation in peace operations, most notably in uniformed police and military roles, remains low.

The situation has only deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To address these challenges, Canada continues to implement its National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and to lead and fund innovative and important initiatives in support of the women, peace and security agenda around the globe, including the new initiatives announced today.

Women, peace and security awards program

This new awards program will introduce two awards: a women, peace and security civil society leadership award, to recognize the grassroots work of individuals, civil society organizations or networks; and a research award, launched in collaboration with the International Development Research Centre, to encourage innovative work undertaken by researchers or research institutions in fragile and conflict-affected states.

Funding announcements

In addition to $5 million in dedicated new funding to specifically support grassroots women peacebuilders, the Government of Canada is also allocating up to $9.9 million in new investments to support women peacebuilders globally, for a total of up to $14.9 million:

Global Network of Women Peacebuilders: Up to $840,251
The funding will help ensure that Bangladeshi, Rohingya and Burmese women affected by violent conflict are empowered to lead and participate in community-based peacebuilding and decision making at local, national and regional levels.

Global Network of Women Peacebuilders: Up to $2.14 million
The funding will support the active and meaningful participation of women in Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon and Nigeria in the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, peace processes and peacebuilding.

InterPares: Up to $1.15 million
The funding will improve women’s access to rights in Sudan by enhancing their participation and the meaningful inclusion of gendered perspectives in Sudan’s political transition and by improving the effectiveness of Sudanese civil society organizations and feminist groups to collectively advocate for and advance the rights of women and girls.

Search for Common Ground: Up to $2.6 million
The funding will build the capacity of youth, women and local-authority peace ambassadors in Mali’s northern and central regions in conflict transformation, leadership, positive and conflict-sensitive communication, rumour management and advocacy to increase community resilience in the face of disinformation.

Swisspeace: Up to $1.28 million
The funding will provide capacity building for women peacebuilders in Cameroon through strategic accompaniment, skills development and organizational support in order to increase their meaningful participation in political decision-making processes.

The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa: Up to $659,335
The funding will enhance women’s meaningful participation in Sudan’s political transition and strengthen coordination among women’s organizations across Sudan.

Humanity and Inclusion: Up to $1.29 million
The funding will promote the protection, safety, empowerment and dignity of vulnerable Indigenous communities, especially communities of Indigenous women, in nine municipalities in the Colombian departments of Nariño and Antioquia, which have been the most affected by the country’s armed conflict.