Women and youth central to Expertise France’s action in the fields of peace and security

Published on September 22 2025

Photo d'une femme ukrainienne tenant son bébé — © Tita Elena

In 2025, women and girls remain the prime civilian victims of conflicts, with 612 million women and girls living in crisis areas. It is estimated that 117.5 million people are displaced due to persecution, conflicts or violence, half of whom are women and girls. Women’s participation in peace processes remains below 10% on average. Across the globe, they are the most exposed to gender-based violence and rape used as a weapon of war.

Adopted by the United Nations in 2000, the “Women, Peace and Security” agenda has been developed as a driver for transformation in gender equality in the fields of peace and international security. It aims to ensure the equal participation of women in all decision-making processes, eliminate conflict-related sexual violence and all other violations of their fundamental rights, and ensure that they have access to justice.

With French and European funds, Expertise France is implementing several projects which aim to ensure that gender issues are mainstreamed in the field of peace and security. It is committed to supporting governments and local stakeholders to build their capacities to integrate the Women, Peace and Security agenda in their public policies. Three projects illustrate this contribution: the Protection Ethiopia project, the 1325 Facility and the EPSG project dedicated to the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda.

Protection Ethiopia: Supporting communities affected by the conflict in the north of the country

Since the beginning of 2025, Expertise France has been implementing the Protection Ethiopia project, financed by the Crisis and Support Centre (CDCS) of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE), in partnership with local and international NGOs, including Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) and the Mukwege Foundation. One of the project’s aims is to provide specific support to victims of gender-based violence (GBV) in the Afar and Tigray regions by helping them gain access to protection services in the fields of health, security and justice. It is also working to support the economic resilience and social reintegration of women.

1325 Facility: Assisting with the preparation and implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs) in Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

With support from AFD, Expertise France is deploying a new 1325 Facility “Women, Peace and Security” (WPS) for a period of three years. This facility aims to protect the rights of women and girls and ensure their participation in crisis and conflict resolution, as well as in peacebuilding, in the targeted areas of operation by building a safe and protective environment. The action will focus on two components. The first is a technical assistance component for public institutions to promote the institutionalisation and local ownership of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. The second component is helping feminist civil society organisations to step up the implementation of their activities related to the WPS Agenda.

EPSG project: Promoting the Youth, Peace and Security agenda within ECOWAS

In 2015, the UN Security Council adopted a new resolution recognising young people as being among the prime victims of conflicts. To achieve lasting peace, it is therefore essential for them to participate in conflict prevention and resolution.

Since 2024, Expertise France has been implementing the ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) project, alongside GIZ and FIAP. One of the objectives is to promote the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas in the ECOWAS region.

Under this project, Expertise France is assisting with the preparation and implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security agenda in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Nigeria.

By supporting the participation of women and youth in governance, protection against violence and conflict prevention, the agency is helping to build inclusive and lasting peace that respects human rights. This action demonstrates the need for an ongoing and coordinated commitment to make gender equality and youth participation a cornerstone of world peace.