Over a distinguished 26-year career in the Australian Defence Force, Commander Tyson Nicholas has served across a number of operational roles. These include deploying on combat operations in Afghanistan, supporting counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism operations in the Middle East, and peacekeeping with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the UN Department of Peace Operations in New York.
First-hand exposure to the disproportionate impacts of conflict and fragility on civilian populations drew him to the global Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda through a desire to effect meaningful change.
Now serving as the Strategic Military Adviser at UN Women in New York, Commander Nicholas pauses to reflect on his journey and share insights in honour of the 25th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
In South Sudan and Afghanistan, I saw first-hand how insecurity is experienced differently by women, men, boys and girls. Deployments in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, exposed me to the realities of how conflict affects people in distinct and disproportionate ways. If commanders fail to recognise these patterns, they risk overlooking threats, undermining protection efforts and losing credibility with the very populations whose trust and cooperation are essential to mission success.
At the UN, I have seen that when Women, Peace and Security principles are embedded into planning cycles, doctrine and assessment frameworks, missions are not only more effective, they are also more legitimate.
In Ukraine, which I visited recently, we are reminded that modern, large-scale state-on-state conflict continues to generate devastating gendered impacts - from conflict-related sexual violence to the mass displacement of civilian populations. At the same time, the Ukrainian experience demonstrates that integrating women into national defence, resistance and recovery strengthens national resilience and strategic endurance.
The resilience and leadership of women in conflict is inspiring. Their contributions make peace possible and sustainable. From Ukraine to South Sudan, I have witnessed women not only survive extraordinary adversity but also play critical roles in defence, recovery and governance. Their contribution demonstrates that peace and security cannot be achieved or sustained without women.
'What gives me hope for the future of WPS is the momentum I see across generations of leaders, militaries and local communities.'
Australia's commitment to this agenda, through secondments like mine to UN Women and its investments in training the next generation of women leaders is a tangible demonstration of that hope. It shows that Australia is willing to invest in the rules-based global order to build a more inclusive and secure future.
Our National Defence Strategy emphasises that our people are central to capability. By integrating WPS we not only enhance operational effectiveness, we also demonstrate that Australia leads with integrity, inclusivity and professionalism. That credibility matters - in the Indo-Pacific, at the UN and in collective security arrangements with allies and partners.
My academic studies in International Human Rights Law at Lund University, Sweden, sharpened my understanding of WPS not just as a policy framework, but as an agenda that is grounded in legal obligations that underpin the rules-based global order. WPS highlights that military decisions affect women, men, boys and girls differently, and that militaries have an obligation to account for these differences to reduce civilian harm, maintain legitimacy and achieve mission success.
What gives me hope for the future of WPS is the momentum I see across generations of leaders, militaries and local communities. Defence professionals increasingly view WPS not as a box to tick, but as best practice, integral to effective operations and ethical leadership. The growing body of evidence shows that integrating WPS principles leads to better operational outcomes, stronger partnerships and more sustainable peace.
Together, these experiences - on operations, in the classroom and in strategic roles - have shown me that Women, Peace and Security is a force multiplier for defence capability, force posture, structures, recruitment and international engagement. It is therefore a professional responsibility and a strategic necessity for achieving national defence, resilience and sustainable peace.
