10 years of Domesticating UNSCR 1325 and Women Participation in Peace Processes - An Appraisal of National Efforts in West Africa

At the dawn of the 10th anniversary (a decade) of the adoption of, United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325: Women, Peace and Security, is still a work in progress in most West African Countries and yet in some a far cry. National governments in collaboration with various Women’s groups and other Civil Society Organizations especially those in the areas of peacebuilding and human security, are constantly challenged with the great ambition of realizing the domestication of this very important instrument and the lack of political will and strong monitoring (and reporting) mechanisms, which ensure that the resolution’s implementation on the ground is eff ectively tracked. The lack of accountability mechanisms, focus and coherence are all major factors limiting the potential impact of resolution 1325 and the visibility of that impact in most countries in West Africa.