1325 in translation

USING 1325 IN TRANSLATION

A CALL FOR INFORMATION ON THE USE OF TRANSLATIONS OF RESOLUTION 1325

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WIPNET USES 1325 IN TRANSLATION

In September 2005, Peacewomen spoke with Ecoma Alaga, coordinator of the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) Women in Peacebuilding Network (WIPNET), about the organization's efforts to translate Security Council Resolution 1325 into various West African languages. As with many other advocates of Resolution 1325, WANEP/WIPNET has prioritized its translation as part of their own programs and initiatives related to Resolution 1325. Below is a transcript of the conversation

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PW: Have you (or your organization) been involved in any efforts to translate Resolution 1325 into local languages? If so, which ones?

EA: WIPNET has translated the resolution into 4 West African languages, Diola (Senegal), Fongbe (Benin) & Fongbe
(Burkino Faso) and Hausa (Nigeria).

PW: What were your experiences in this process?

EA: In November 2004, WIPNET launched the initiative we call “localizing UN SCR 1325.” Our aim is to translate the resolution into 20 languages by November 2006. There has been great enthusiasm for this initiative. Everywhere we talk about UN SCR 1325 and our localizing initiatives, there are several requests to have the resolution translated into their local language. Surprisingly though, this initiative has revealed that a lot of West African languages are oral based. Many speak but can’t write the local languages. In a few cases, the computers have not been friendly. Translated versions of the resolution can’t be typed out because there are no appropriate keys.

PW: Did you rely on people in your network to carry out the translations or did you reach out to new contacts?

EA: We rely on our WIPNET (women peacebuilder) Teams. In this way the women become more and more familiar with the document prior to the actual translation being complete.

PW: What local versions of Resolution 1325 have you been using most actively in your advocacy work?

EA: So far the Diola and Fongbe translations are the most used. This is actually because these two have been typed out and are therefore accessible.

PW: In which types of activities or forums have you used local versions of Resolution 1325 as tools for education or
advocacy?

EA: We have used the translated versions in our capacity building training workshop for rural women in conflict prevention and community peacebuilding on our rural women’s peace initiative. It is used for our Voices of Women community radio program. It has been used in a consultation with Gender/Women’s Ministries on mainstreaming gender 1325 PeaceWomen E-Newsletter Issue #67 3 into national policies on peace and security. It was also circulated by women during our peace check point activity on March 8 2005.

PW: From your experiences in women, peace and security work, why do you think translating Resolution 1325 into local languages is important for its implementation?

EA: Translating the resolution makes it end-user friendly, ensuring relevance, ownership and sustainability of initiatives to advance its implementation.

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For more information about WIPNET, please contact

Ecoma Alaga
Regional coordinator, women in Peacebuilding Network
ealaga@wanep.org
P.O. Box CT 4434
Cantonment-Accra
Ghana
Tel. (233) (0) 21 221318
http://www.wanep.org/