Women in conflict fellowship recognised by FCDO and MOD
Fri 25 July 2025
The UK Government has referenced work by Edinburgh Law School as an example of how the UK is implementing policies for women, peace and security.
The global Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda is set out in UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, which turns 25 this year. The UK’s plans for implementing the WPS agenda are set out in the UK Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan (NAP) 2023 – 2027, which sets out the UK 's commitment to reduce the impact of conflict on women and girls and promote their inclusion to prevent and resolve conflict, with a revised version of the NAP scheduled to be published by October 2025.
The latest NAP report to Parliament, published in June 2025, highlights two Edinburgh Law School activities: ELS involvement in the Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship and a summit on international humanitarian law co-hosted at ELS, both in collaboration with Scotland-based NGO Beyond Borders. The NAP report cites these activities as examples of how the UK supported women’s participation in peace processes and political dialogue (NAP Strategic objective 1).
The report states:
“The Scottish Government continued their ‘Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship Programme’, which affirms the importance of the participation of women and the inclusion of gender perspectives in peace negotiations, humanitarian planning, peacekeeping operations, and post-conflict peacebuilding and governance. Delivered by Scotland-based NGO Beyond Borders and the University of Edinburgh Law School, with funding from the Scottish Government, the Fellowship has trained more than 360 women peacebuilders from 40 conflict-affected countries across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Latin America since 2017.
"In 2024, alumnae participated in the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Summit, leading discussions on the role of IHL in contemporary conflict, particularly in relation to women, peace and security principles, and the ongoing conflicts in Yemen and Occupied Palestinian Territories. They also facilitated advocacy workshops and undertook public outreach, including at the ‘Beyond Borders’ international festival.”
PeaceRep’s Senior Research Fellow Laura Wise said: “As the women, peace and security agenda faces unprecedented challenges, it is more important than ever for women peacebuilders to be able to convene and collaboratively reflect on their work with supportive experts. Whilst conflicts increase globally, women peacebuilders continue to work for peace in exceptionally difficult circumstances, and we are honoured that they make the time to come to Scotland to build new connections and share their experience. Any revised UK NAP should recognise the unique contributions that women peacebuilders make in conflict prevention and resolution, and continue to support frontline WPS initiatives ”.
Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship
The Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship programme is held three times a year in Edinburgh and the Borders with a focus on conflict resolution, mediation, reconciliation and dialogue methodologies. The Fellowship has already trained more than 360 women peacebuilders from 40 conflict-affected countries across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Latin America since 2017. It is named after the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which marks its 25th anniversary this year.
Led by Beyond Borders, the programme is supported by a team of peace and conflict experts at Edinburgh Law School, including PeaceRep’s Senior Research Fellow Laura Wise.
Learn more
FCDO and MoD Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan, report to Parliament 2024 to 2025