United Nations gender experts and the push to focus on conflict-related sexual violence

Gender experts within the United Nations play a pivotal role in driving forward global gender-equality norms and practices. This article analyses the shift within the women, peace and security agenda of the United Nations from Resolution 1325 to the narrow focus on conflict-related sexual violence in Resolution 1820. It argues that United Nations gender experts were pivotal in intentionally driving this shift in focus, although it has since become a contested choice. It highlights the unique challenges that gender experts face when operating within organisations that can be highly resistant to their objectives.