The article critically examines the gap between the normative aspirations of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and the lived experiences of women in conflict-affected contexts, with Syria as a key example. While acknowledging WPS’s achievements—such as institutionalizing women’s inclusion in peace processes—it underscores that symbolic representation does not equate to genuine political power. Women often gain seats at negotiation tables without real influence or community-backed legitimacy, leaving them vulnerable when international attention wanes. The authors highlight the need to build women’s political networks and grassroots linkages rather than relying on token appointments.

The commentary challenges linear assumptions about gender progress during conflicts, revealing that shifts in gender norms are hyper-local, contradictory, and shaped by family, religious, and governance dynamics. It broadens the concept of protection beyond gender-based violence to include economic insecurity, unpaid care burdens, and psychosocial risks. The authors critique compliance-driven aid models that prioritize checklist indicators over adaptive, context-responsive strategies, warning that such approaches produce short-term visibility rather than structural transformation. They call for flexible funding that supports women as leaders—not merely beneficiaries—in humanitarian, peacebuilding, and recovery efforts.

Emphasizing that women often act as de facto crisis managers in informal governance and community resilience roles, the article urges recognition, resourcing, and protection for these contributions. It advocates for gender mainstreaming across all sectors—health, education, governance, and economic recovery—rather than siloed WPS programming. Finally, it calls for donor incentives that reward learning and adaptability, ensuring that empowerment efforts align with local realities and are rooted in communal agency. This recalibration, the authors argue, is vital for transforming the WPS agenda from a distant framework into a living tool for justice, power, and peace.