WCAPS Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of theFourth World Conference on Women

October 1, 2020

Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation (WCAPS) celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, known as the 1995 Beijing Conference. The Beijing Conference aimed at “removing all the obstacles to women's active participation in all spheres of public and private life through a full and equal share in economic, social, cultural and political decision-making.” 

In 1945, at the founding of the UN, there were no women heads of state or government. In 1995, in Beijing, there were 12 women heads of state or government. Today, we have 22 women leaders among 193 countries. While women have made monumental strides, it is clear that we are a long way from achieving true gender and racial equality. When there is a failure on issues of peace and security, women and girls of color continue to suffer the most long-term impact, whether the issue is global health, climate change and its environmental effects, cybersecurity, national security or human rights. 

WCAPS aims to strengthen the foundations set at the Beijing Conference by working towards the advancement and professional development of women of color in international foreign policy, peace and security. We recognize that women’s leadership, particularly women of color, is vital, and we remain steadfast in ensuring that women of color have a seat at the table. As WCAPS celebrates today’s 25th Anniversary, we are inspired by our pioneers and motivated to continue advocating for gender and racial diversity, inclusion and equity on a global scale.