N-Peace, or ‘Engage for Equality, Access, Community and Empowerment’ is a UNDP flagship initiative founded in 2010 to commemorate a decade of UNSCR 1325 implementation via the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. 

 

Currently unique to the Asia-Pacific region, N-Peace operates in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Nepal, with the goal of implementing UNSCR 1325, and enhancing the role of women in conflict resolution and peace-building. N-Peace is built on the premise that if targeted women and men are supported with increased investments in capacity and skills, they will be able to create institutional and social shifts that prioritise the inclusion and empowerment of women and girls, and ultimately change the discourse on the roles of women in peace-building. N-Peace therefore serves four primary goals: first, to conduct dialogues among communities, governments and other groups related to WPS; second, to build the capacity of women peace activist; third, to expand and strengthen the network of peace-building activists to best implement UNSCR 1325; and finally, to support women’s participation in peace and security through sharing their stories.

 

Through its yearly N-Peace Awards, the initiative aims to recognise the powerful stories of peace-builders and activists in the region who embody the WPS agenda. Former N-Peace awardees have gone on to report increased access to the decision-making arena and other partnerships.