Since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000, the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda has gained significant attention on the international stage. This agenda advocates for a comprehensive approach to peace and security, emphasizing the critical roles of women in achieving sustainable peace through its four pillars: 1) enhancing women's participation in peace processes, acknowledging that their involvement is pivotal for the durability of peace agreements; 2) safeguarding women and girls during conflicts, recognizing their disproportionate suffering; 3) preventing the future repercussions of conflicts, which invariably leave enduring marks on women's status and perpetuate various forms of post-conflict violence; and 4) focusing on relief and recovery efforts, which are often normatively driven and exclude women from formal processes. The exclusion of women from these peace processes not only adversely impacts them but also the broader societal fabric.

However, the WPS Agenda's potential to reshape crucial political processes for ending conflicts and establishing just and sustainable peace is frequently obstructed by the prevailing realpolitik. Despite the agenda's rightful focus on women's protection, well-being, and participation, it often overlooks the profound ways in which gender dynamics influence conflicts themselves. The prevalent evidence linking gender to conflict drivers—most notably through gender-based violence and its weaponization—warrants a deeper exploration. To fully grasp the impact on women and girls, it's essential to understand how gender influences the territorial dynamics of war across social, economic, and political spheres.

Belligerents' preoccupation with territory—encompassing land, urban areas, societies, and resources—fuels protracted conflicts. Their legitimacy narratives, based on identity, creed, or historical grievances, are often mapped onto territories, illustrating a dichotomy between ideological constructs and actual control. This contest over territory shapes the narrative and administrative boundaries, reinforcing the belligerents' territorial claims.

In the event of stalled conflicts, the path to peace involves reconciling these divergent territorial narratives, aiming for a consensus that respects competing claims. This reconciliation process, however, often fails to forge a national consensus on state identity and governance, leading to a continuous cycle of redrawing boundaries and redefining jurisdictions.

Territorial maps, whether conceptual or actual, serve as instruments of power, often reflecting patriarchal control. Therefore, including women in peace negotiations transcends mere political representation; it challenges patriarchal narratives and contributes to a more inclusive understanding of territory. Gender mapping extends beyond assessing the conditions of women and girls; it delves into the socio-economic and political processes that define territories, offering insights into the real dynamics of control and resistance.

The case of Syria, now approaching its 13th year of conflict, illustrates these dynamics vividly. The pre-conflict map of Syria, the evolving map of territorial control, and a gender-focused map based on indicators of women's lives reveal the complex interplay between official narratives, control dynamics, and the lived experiences of communities. These maps show that the official territorial divisions and control maps fail to capture the fragmented social ecosystems that have emerged, where local networks and micro-social negotiations define survival and resilience.