The LAMPS Network’s Push for Gender-Inclusive Security

March 10, 2025
The Latin American Network of Women, Peace, and Security (LAMPS Network) convened its third meeting in Bogotá, Colombia, from February 25 to 27, 2025. This gathering brought together 45 women from eight countries—Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Spain, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, and Venezuela—as well as representatives from Latin American diasporas. All participants are actively engaged in promoting women's leadership and participation in peacebuilding and security.
The LAMPS Network aims to foster critical knowledge, collective action, and innovation on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in Latin America through a feminist lens. Central to its mission are the principles of care and dialogue, viewed as essential tools for advancing peace and democracy in the region.
The Bogotá meeting focused on strengthening the Network’s collective identity, political agenda, and advocacy efforts. It provided a platform for participants to exchange reflections, experiences, and proposals on feminist approaches to dialogue. Additionally, the meeting laid the groundwork for an upcoming report on implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in Latin America, marking its 25th anniversary.
Through such initiatives, the LAMPS Network seeks to connect regional and global efforts, influence public policy, and amplify women’s voices in decision-making spaces.
In Peru, the national action plan on WPS provides a comprehensive framework for integrating gender perspectives into security institutions. This includes targeted strategies to enhance women’s roles in law enforcement and peacekeeping. In Callao, Lima, female representation in the transit police is particularly high, with women comprising 60% of the force. Officers Lela Villalobos and Angie Rivera exemplify this presence, highlighting how local initiatives can contribute to broader gender-inclusive security reforms.
However, challenges remain, including the need for stronger implementation of policies that ensure equal opportunities, prevent gender-based violence within security institutions, and recognize the diverse contributions of women in maintaining public safety.
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