Commonly acknowledged as of paramount relevance, the ‘Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda’ has encountered various challenges since its creation in 2000, especially when it comes down to implementing its core principles. To break this deadlock, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU hosted a seminar in March 2024 (“24 Years of WPS Agenda: Time for Pragmatism”), bringing together world-class scholars and seasoned practitioners under the benevolent sponsorship of Her Majesty Queen Mathilde. Building on the takeaways from the seminar, this report summarises where the WPS Agenda is currently standing, delves into the rationale behind advocating for a more pragmatic stance and puts forward practical recommendations for future missions and operations that will take place within the framework of the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

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Research lines: Sahel and Sub-Saharan Africa; Eurasia; Middle East and North Africa

Source : Photo by Lance Cpl. John Hall (U.S. Marine Corps)

e-Note 59

24 Years of WPS Agenda Seminar Report: Time for Pragmatism

Major Kristel Mostrey, Dr Didier Leroy,
Senior Captain Estelle Hoorickx