Week-long activities to celebrate women in peace, security, starts with book launch in New York

The African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations, on Monday, October 27, 2025 hosted the launch of the 3rd edition of “She Stands For Peace,” a commemorative book-project highlighting the achievements of women and women-led organizations who have contributed immensely towards Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in Africa.

Published in commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR1325), which acknowledged the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women and girls, the “She Stands for Peace Book,” showcases the role of women in Peace and Security, and amplifies their voices through the lived experiences of 19 individual women and six women networks contained the book.

The book launch took place in the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the UN in New York, United States of America (USA), and had in attendance dignitaries from far and near, including Ambassador Mohamed Edrees, AU Permanent Representative to the UN and H.E. Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

Starting with the book launch, the Office of the Special Envoy of the African Union Chairperson on Women, Peace and Security (OSE-WPS), in collaboration with United Nations entities (UN Women, UNOAU, Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs), Member States championing UNSCR 1325, civil society organizations, and women’s networks, is hosting a week-long event in New York.

Being organized under the theme: “She Stands for Peace: 25 Years of Women, Peace and Security,” with the sub-theme: “Honoring Women’s Voices, Accelerating the Agenda,”  the week-long event, which started on Monday, October 27, 2025 with the book launch, will end on Friday, October 31, 2025, and is expected to feature, among others, a High-Level Panel Discussion, that will engage policymakers, practitioners, and women leaders to reflect on UNSCR 1325 and chart future directions.

There will also be Storytelling Sessions: Personal narratives from women peacebuilders, highlighting leadership, resilience, and impact; Film Screening: The Quiet Heroes of Sudan – The Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) – “Volunteering is Life” (37 minutes, 43 seconds), a powerful documentary, which will be screened to honor the courage and leadership of Sudanese women and youth volunteers who have mobilized, through grassroots Emergency Response Rooms, to provide life-saving humanitarian aid in the midst of conflict.

The screening will serve as a vivid example of African women’s resilience, community leadership, and their pivotal role in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda on the ground.

Networking Sessions will also feature during the week, to facilitate dialogue among women peacebuilders, Member States, civil society, and international partners.

All the activities of the week are targeted at elevating the visibility of women’s leadership and their contributions to peace and security; strengthening advocacy for the accelerated implementation of the WPS agenda at all levels; fostering solidarity among women peacebuilders and stakeholders across regions; renewing commitments from Member States, the UN, AU, and civil society to close gaps in women’s participation and protection; and providing lasting advocacy and educational tools through the e-book.

Pictures show some of the dignitaries that have been part of the activities of the week.