Description
State and regional intergovernmental organisation policies on UNSCR 1325 provisions often identify bold ambitions that align in promising ways with regional perspectives on peace and security. These extend the focus of security from a “state-based” focus to one that takes in non-traditional security threats to peace, prosperity and well-being in the region. The practical take-up of these provisions in Pacific policy is far less advanced. Concerningly, WPS policy debate in most Pacific Island states has become dominated by a conservative security sector focus that emphasises increased integration of women into security agencies. This paper discusses recent cross regional research undertaken for the Pacific Islands Forum on Pacific Island state’s WPS policy design and implementation. It shows how current securitised WPS practices create constraint both for women within Pacific Island state security agencies, and certainly for civilian women peace leaders who are struggled to be heard outside these agencies. It also shows how these are resisted. It concludes with reflection on policy innovation that might be developed to create space for a more balanced and enabling WPS approach.
