BEYOND RESILIENCE: CHALLENGES AND IMPACTS OF IMPLEMENTING UNSCR 1325 IN PALESTINE

Abstract

This thesis explores the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) in Palestine, examining the systemic challenges faced by Palestinian women under settler colonialism, entrenched patriarchal norms, and the ongoing occupation. While UNSCR 1325 aims to enhance women’s roles in peacebuilding and security, its effectiveness remains limited due to political instability, the depoliticization of NAP, and the exclusion of occupation-related violence from the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) discourse. Using qualitative analysis of both primary and secondary sources, this study delves into the impact of outdated legal frameworks, societal resistance to gender equality, and the role of international aid in maintaining dependency rather than fostering genuine empowerment. Specifically, it scrutinizes the stalled Family Protection Law, highlighting how cultural and structural barriers obstruct its ratification and enforcement. The findings underscore how UNSCR 1325, in its current form, relies on the resilience of Palestinian women while failing to hold occupying forces accountable for gendered violence. This paper argues that for UNSCR 1325 to be effective in Palestine, it must be localized to address the realities of occupation and gender-based oppression. Key recommendations include repoliticizing the resolution, prioritizing Palestinian-led initiatives, reducing aid dependency, and reframing resilience beyond survival toward structural change. By aligning international frameworks with the lived realities of Palestinian women, UNSCR 1325 can move beyond symbolic declarations to meaningful action.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Humanities and Social Science