KINGSTON, R.I., Oct. 10, 2025 — Assistant Professor Roya Izadi of the University of Rhode Island Political Science Department was a guest speaker for a panel hosted by the International Peace Institute (IPI) in New York on Oct. 9, where she spoke on the topic “Reflecting on 25 Years of the WPS Agenda: Lessons Learned from Gender Research and UN Peace Operations.”

The UN community celebrates 25 years of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in October, which launched the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda. The panel offered the opportunity to share research findings on and discuss WPS, including ways to advance the agenda and ensure women are able to stay in peacekeeping operations.

Professor Izadi spoke about global militarization becoming a threat to the WPS agenda, noting that focusing more attention on resources will lead to more war. 

“In this moment of rising anti-gender backlash, the challenge for all of us is not only to not retreat from the WPS agenda, but to show that it works,” said Professor Izadi.

Other panelists included the former WPS ambassador to Canada, the program coordinator for the Latin American Security and Defence Network, the military advisor to the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations, the Director of Protecting Civilians & Human Security at Stimson Center, and The Deputy Director of Women, Youth, and Security Institute at Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Center.

Partnered with the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations, the IPI has contributed to the continuous research of peacekeeping and gender since 2019. The institute has been able to offer global solutions to the rise of gender inequality, and is committed to advancing their mission.

A recording of the panel is available to watch on the IPI’s YouTube channel.

The video is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O7Mmp4H5aE&feature=youtu.be