Uganda to mark 25 years of UN security council resolution 1325

30 October 2025, 5:11 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Officials from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development have announced that Uganda will tomorrow commemorate the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 under the theme “When Women Lead, Peace Follows.”

The resolution, adopted in 2000, emphasizes the importance of women’s participation in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and security processes globally.

Speaking during a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, the Executive Director of Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET), Rita Aciro, praised men who are now speaking out against violence.

“On the issue of violence against men, I am happy that people are now talking about violence openly. It has stopped being a private family affair and become a public issue. Men are coming out because of the awareness created by women’s rights organizations that violence is bad for anybody,” she said.

Aciro added that while some men are beginning to speak up, many still suffer in silence. She urged all victims of violence regardless of gender to seek help.

“Violence against men should not downplay the violence women and girls face, which is almost five times higher. As a country, we need to agree that violence is bad for anybody. Once we do that, we will all be happier,” she emphasized.

Meanwhile, Dr. Paulina Chiwangu, the UN Women Uganda Country Representative, noted that the 25th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 marks a turning point for women and girls who continue to play crucial roles as agents of peace, recovery, and transformation.

Dr. Chiwangu commended Uganda for its leadership under the National Action Plan III (NAP III) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), which has been globally recognized for integrating emerging issues such as women’s roles in climate change mitigation, disaster risk reduction, refugee response, and countering violent extremism.

She also applauded civil society organizations for promoting the localization of the WPS agenda through 20 district-level action plans and women peace mediator networks.

“We must continue collaborating to sustain women’s participation in peace, security, and leadership,” Dr. Chiwangu said.

A representative from Oxfam also reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the Women, Peace, and Security agenda in Uganda.