Unofficial Sinhala and Tamil translations of United Nations Security Council resolutions on Women, Peace and Security were officially launched today (02) at a ceremony held in Battaramulla under the patronage of Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj.

The launch coincided with the 26th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, adopted on October 31, 2000.

The translations were produced by Pathways to Peace, with the support of the Government of Canada, led by the Canadian High Commission in Sri Lanka. Printed copies of the translated resolutions were also presented at the event.

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda is an international policy framework that recognizes the specific challenges faced by women and girls in armed conflicts and seeks to ensure their equal and active participation in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and security-related processes.

Adopted on October 31, 2000, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 highlights the importance of women's participation in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peace negotiations and peacebuilding initiatives.

The agenda also focuses on protecting women and girls during armed conflicts, preventing sexual and gender-based violence, and addressing women's specific needs in relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Paulraj said that making international policies, resolutions and decisions accessible to everyone without language barriers was an important step towards increasing awareness of women's rights and strengthening women's participation in decision-making processes related to peace and security.

She further stressed that language should not become a barrier to knowledge, adding that building a peaceful society through awareness, equality and participation was a shared responsibility.