1325 PeaceWomen E-News
Issue #76
25 April 2006

1325 AWARD NOMINATIONS

The Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, 31 October 2000. CLICK HERE for the full text of the resolution.

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For past issues of the newsletter, CLICK HERE.

THIS ISSUE OF 1325 PEACEWOMEN E-NEWS FEATURES:

1. Editorial: Recognizing and Using 1325
2. Women, Peace and Security News
3. Feature Initiatives: The Dutch Women in Conflict Situations and Peacekeeping Taskforce presents: the 1325 Award & UN Democracy Fund: Funding Opportunity for Democracy Related Activities
4. Feature Statement: Advocates Call for UN Reform to Include A Needs Assessment of Women's Machineries: Letter to members of the Secretary General's Panel on UN System-wide Coherence in the fields of Development, Humanitarian Assistance, and Environment
5. 1325 Translation Update: Filipino Translation Now Available & "1325 in Translation" Initiative
6 . Feature Resource: Report by Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children: Beyond Firewood: Fuel Alternatives and Protection Strategies for Displaced Women and Girls
7. Gender & Peacekeeping Update: News, Resources & Analysis of Department of Peacekeeping Operations Policy Dialogue: Reviewing Strategies for Enhancing Gender Balance Amongst Uniformed Personnel in Peacekeeping Missions
8. NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security Update: Press Release on Situation in Nepal: Shobha Gautam, President of the Institute of Human Rights Communication, Nepal
9. UNIFEM Update: Beyond Numbers: Supporting Women’s Political Participation and Promoting Gender Equality in Post-conflict Governance in Africa & Launch of Database to Track Violence against Women in Afghanistan
10. Women, Peace and Security Calendar

The PeaceWomen Project is a project of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. Please visit us at http://www.peacewomen.org.

In this edition of 1325 PeaceWomen E-News we highlight the exciting 1325 Award initiative that recognizes the contributions made by individuals and civil society organizations in the implementation of UNSCR 1325 (featured in item 2 below). As civil society groups were instrumental in the adoption of 1325, playing a lead advocacy role as well as participating in drafting the text of the resolution, so too are they instrumental in its implementation. That is not to say that the UN system and governments are relieved of their obligations, but rather to acknowledge the crucial contributions these groups make and to emphasize the need for the UN and governments to engage with and support civil society efforts. The 1325 Award, will honor and encourage “initiatives to promote the rights of women and to increase their participation at decision-making levels in peace processes.” It expresses the aims of the resolution to recognize the under-valued and under-utilized contributions women make to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and peacebuilding. We encourage governments, non-governmental organizations, UN agencies and civil society organizations to nominate individual and organizational candidates for this award. Nominations are due by 15 July 2006 (details below). PeaceWomen has featured many exciting and laudable initiatives in this publication and on our website (www.peacewomen.org) and we look forward to their recognition through this award process.

Efforts which contribute to the implementation of 1325, and the actors involved in these, are wide ranging. This E-News reflects this range from a Nepalese peace advocate’s update on the current crisis in Nepal (item 8) to a report on protection strategies for displaced women and girls (see our Feature Resource in item 6) to a UNIFEM database to track violence against women in Afghanistan (see item 9 below) and DPKO efforts to enhance gender balance amongst uniformed personnel in peacekeeping missions (item 7). We also feature continued efforts to place the vital issue of women and gender equality on the agenda in the UN reform process (in item 4 below) and funding opportunities from the newly established UN Democracy Fund.

An important aspect of advocating for the implementation of 1325 is making the resolution relevant to women, peace and security advocates in the context in which they operate. A vital aspect of this is having the resolution available in the languages used by these advocates. To this end PeaceWomen has, since February 2003, been compiling existing translations and calling for new translations of 1325. The number of available translations has since grown to 73 and numerous languages have been identified by advocates as priorities for translation. Many of these are languages used in countries and regions currently experiencing high levels of conflict, for example Sudan. We encourage and welcome the translation of the resolution into these local languages in order to make 1325 more accessible and useful. PeaceWomen also continues to build our “1325 in Translation” initiative (featured in item 5 below) so as to reflect the impact of translation efforts. The initiative collects and disseminates information on how the translations are used and the impact they have on the work of women, peace and security advocates. The initiative is part of our broader effort to share the experiences and ideas on how women and other actors, in a variety of social sectors, use 1325. We look forward to receiving information from around the globe on initiatives and resources on 1325 in action as a tool for women, peace and security advocacy.

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As always we welcome your contributions to the newsletter’s content. The newsletter is sent out at the end of each month. We will feature the deadline for submissions for the next edition in each newsletter. Contributions for the May edition should be sent to enewssubmissions@peacewomen.org by Thursday 18 May 2006.

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IRAQ WOMEN LAWMAKERS DEMAND KEY GOVERNMENT POSTS
22 April, 2006 - (Khaleej Times) Women members of the Iraqi parliament demanded on Saturday that they be given key posts in the legislature or government, accusing male MPs of “marginalising women.”

A PROPOSED BLUEPRINT FOR A RADICAL RESTRUCTURING OF THE UNITED NATIONS AS ENVISAGED BY OUTGOING SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS FALLEN SHORT OF ITS TARGET IN ONE SPECIFIC AREA: GENDER EMPOWERMENT
April 7, 2006. (Inter Press Service News Agency) -As the 191 member states get ready to discuss the political nuances and economic implications of Annan's recently-released landmark report on U.N. reform, there is an increasingly vociferous demand to rectify the gender shortcoming by creating a separate U.N. agency to deal with women's issues.

DRC: SOLDIERS JAILED FOR MASS RAPE
April 14, 2006 -(IRIN) Seven soldiers in the Congolese army have been sentenced to life in prison for crimes against humanity, including the mass rape of at least 119 women in the northwestern province of Equateur. This was the first sentence against the country's military personnel for crimes against humanity.

AU INVESTIGATING RAPE CHARGES AGAINST DARFUR FORCE
April 5, 2006 -(Reuters) The African Union is investigating allegations of rape and child abuse levelled against its peace-monitoring forces in the

A BRAVE SISTERHOOD: THROUGHOUT AFGHANISTAN, WOMEN OVERCAME SEXISM, ILLITERACY - EVEN BULLETS - TO RUN FOR OFFICE AND VOTE
April, 2006– (Ms. Magazine)On election morning, the Jefaya mosque in eastern Kabul is packed with women of all ages, many in blue burqas, squeezed together in disorderly lines. While other polling sites across the Afghan capital remain quiet, with a lower turnout than expected, this one bustles with activity.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: WOMEN LOBBY FOR PEACE
April 3, 2006 -(IRIN) At least 2,000 women demonstrated on Monday in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), in an appeal for peace in the country.

WOMEN'S COMMISSION AIMS TO COMBAT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN REFUGEE CAMPS
14 March, 2006 -(VOA News) The non-profit Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children has introduced a series of recommendations to significantly reduce incidents of violence against women and girls in areas of conflict.

For more country-specific women, peace and security news, CLICK HERE

For more international women, peace and security news, CLICK HERE

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The Dutch Women in Conflict Situations and Peacekeeping Taskforce presents: the 1325 Award

This award aims to honour and encourage an individual or a civil society organization in a conflict country or region that has developed groundbreaking and effective initiatives to promote the rights of women and to increase their participation at decision-making levels in peace processes. The Women in Conflict Situations and Peacekeeping Taskforce monitors and enhances the implementation of resolution 1325 in the Netherlands. With the 1325 Award the Taskforce wants to honour the important work of civil society women in conflict resolution and peace movements. Women in conflict areas are the first to raise the issue of conflict-related gender problems and bear the greatest risks in forwarding an agenda of peace.

The 1325 Award is a one-off prize granted to an individual or a civil society organization that has effectively and innovatively contributed to the promotion of women’s rights and the increase of their participation at decision-making levels in peace processes.

In short, the 1325 Award aims to reward those who have contributed to the implementation of Resolution 1325.

The award comprises:

• a sum of € 15,000 of prize money,
• a work of art made exclusively for the occasion,
• a tour through the Netherlands to present the prize-winner’s work to a diversity of audiences.

Any individual or civil society organization who has contributed to the implementation of Resolution 1325 can be nominated as candidate for the the 1325 Award.

Criteria:

• Whether the nominee’s work an expression of the aims of UN Resolution 1325
• Whether the nominee’s work has influenced other actors on the national or international stage of conflict / peace issues or has the potential to do so.
• Whether the nominee’s work has influenced the public at large and contributed to the public’s knowledge of the concerns addressed by 1325 or has the potential to do so.

For more detailed criteria please visit: http://www.1325award.nl/?id=24&ln=en

How to nominate an individual or organization:

Please note: individuals or organizations cannot nominate themselves as candidates for the award, they have to be nominated by a different organization.

Governmental, non-governmental organizations, UN affiliated organizations, civil society organizations or embassies can nominate candidates for the 1325 Award. Individuals cannot nominate a candidate.

Digital nominations will be accepted up to and including 15 July 2006.

In September 2006 names of the nominees on the shortlist will be announced on this website. Those nominees will be informed about their short-list status in advance.

On 19 October 2006 the jury will announce the winner and present the prize at a conference held by the Women in Conflict Situations and Peacekeeping Taskforce.

Individual Nomination Form CLICK HERE

Organization Nomination Form CLICK HERE

Send completed nomination forms to: nomination@1325award.nl

For more information on procedures and rules please visit: http://www.1325award.nl/?id=23&ln=en

For assistance, information and questions please contact question@1325award.nl

For more on the 1325 Award and the Women in Conflict Situations and Peacekeeping Taskforce please visit: http://www.1325award.nl

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UN Democracy Fund: Funding Opportunity for Democracy Related Activities

The UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF) will accept proposals from April 15, 2006 to May 15, 2006 for one or two-year long projects that bring about measurable and tangible improvements in democracy and human rights. Grants range from $50,000 to $500,000. Proposals must integrate gender issues and clearly demonstrate the greater participation of women as one of the project’s fundamental objectives. Projects that incorporate partnerships with UN agencies stand a greater chance of being accepted.

The application form is simple, but must be submitted via the internet. If your access to the internet is limited seek out a UN agency as they are partners in this initiative. Projects that are approved for funding will be notified by August 1, 2006, when you will have to submit a more detailed project description.

Submission guidelines:
Once the application is successfully submitted online, the system will generate an electronic receipt, which must be saved for future reference. The UNDEF Secretariat will contact the applicant directly if more information is required.

Strong preference will be given to proposals for countries and regions where the difficulties of democracy are more critical and pervasive. Projects that take place in a single country will be given preference but must be accompanied by an endorsement from the United Nations Resident Coordinator. Proposals for more regional or global projects will also be considered (only 20% of the funding available for these initiatives).

Read more at: www.un.org/democracyfund

Access the online application and funding guidelines at: http://www.undemocracyfund.org/submit.html

The following activities are eligible for funding:

• Strengthening democratic dialogue and support for constitutional processes (interaction between the people and the state, fostering national dialogue on democracy, reconciliation between diverse groups, democratic oversight of the military, and constitutional development);
• Civil society empowerment (enabling stronger engagement in democratic processes-referenda, voting and engagement of civil society with the State);
• Civic education, voter registration and strengthening of political parties (activities must be neutral but can support CSO and party capacity to develop broad-based and people-responsive platforms that enhance popular engagement in democratic processes);
• Citizen’s access to information (improved quality and dissemination of information on government decisions and spending patterns, legal reform to strengthen the right to information);
• Human rights and fundamental freedoms (human rights education and access to justice by marginalized groups);
• Accountability, transparency and integrity (reform of accountability systems, strengthening public agencies in charge of expenditure and income oversight, parliamentary scrutiny of executive branch of government, support to watchdog groups, and the media, increasing transparency in public and private financial management).

E-mail questions and clarifications to democracyfund@un.org

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For more women, peace and security initiatives – in country, regional, global and international, visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/campaigns/global/index.html

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Advocates Call for UN Reform to Include A Needs Assessment of Women's Machineries:
Letter to members of the Secretary General's Panel on UN System-wide Coherence in the fields of Development, Humanitarian Assistance, and Environment

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
Center for Women's Global Leadership (CWGL),
Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO),

April 7, 2006, UN Headquarters, New York, NY

Excellencies,

In the recent Secretary General's report ''Mandating and Delivering: analysis and recommendations to facilitate review of mandates'' he notes his intention to ask the High-Level Panel on System-Wide Coherence to include in its work an assessment on how gender equality, including through gender mainstreaming, can be better and more fully addressed in the work of the United Nations, particularly in its operational activities on the ground.

We welcome this decision by the Secretary-General and stress that it is urgent for the High-Level Panel to consider how the UN can deliver on the commitments repeatedly made for gender equality and women's empowerment. To date, what is clear from the various reviews since the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing is that the UN and national governments are failing in this task. This, despite the fact that gender equality and women's empowerment have repeatedly been recognized as central to progress on all the agendas of the UN: peace, security, human rights, development and the environment.

It is clear that if these commitments are to be met, there needs to be a major up- scaling of the power and authority as well as resources dedicated to this agenda. There are a number of approaches that can be taken to this task and there have been numerous proposals in this regard. While at this time, we are not endorsing any specific proposal, there must be an immediate decision to undertake a serious and comprehensive assessment of the needs regarding both women's machineries and gender mainstreaming as part of the work of the Coherence Panel.

Proposals to date already range from incorporating UNIFEM into UNDP, combining UNIFEM, DAW, OSAGI and INSTRAW, and creating a new women's agency with a broad mandate on gender equality (building on UNFPA and UNIFEM) with substantial resources at the global and country levels. The same commitments to innovation and effectiveness by member states on other issues should be brought to the discussion of gender equality and women's human rights.

With regard to this process, experience indicates that women's equality and human rights cannot be achieved without a powerful and well-resourced entity within the UN specifically mandated to achieve these goals. And yet, despite repeated statements on the importance of gender equality, women's machineries within the UN remain under-resourced and marginalized from the main activities and policies on development, humanitarian affairs and environment, as well as from human rights and peacekeeping, at the operational and the policy levels. Women's empowerment and gender issues need to be represented more powerfully at the table at the UN HQ and in the UN country teams and complex peacekeeping operations.

While gender is cross-cutting, and therefore, gender mainstreaming can be one of the useful tools in this process, it cannot be a substitute for women-specific bodies that have this as not only a mandate but also a priority. The failure of existing efforts is well documented. In fact, gender mainstreaming can only succeed if it is done in collaboration with powerful well-resourced separate women's units that are driving this agenda, monitoring and innovating as well as advocating for it continuously.

We recognize that the exact shape this should take at this historical juncture must be responsive to other changes being made in the UN. However, the Coherence panel must integrate gender as a cross-cutting issue into its program of work and make strong recommendations in its final report for more effective UN mechanisms to achieve gender equality in development, humanitarian affairs, and environment, as well as in human rights and peace-keeping.

We stand ready to work with you and hope to have an opportunity to meet with you when the panel next convenes.

Sincerely,

Charlotte Bunch, CWGL
June Zeitlin, WEDO
Jill Sternberg, WILPF UN Office

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Total number of available translations: 73

Peacewomen recently received a Filipino translation of UNSCR 1325. Filipino is the national language of the Philippines.

The Filipino translation was completed by.

Mavic Cabrera-Balleza
Senior Programme Associate
International Women's Tribune Centre
Tel : 1 212 687 8633 ext. 200
Fax: 1 212 661 2704
Email: mavic@iwtc.org

The Filipino translation is available at: http://www.peacewomen.org/1325inTranslation/index.html

A number of languages have been identified as a priority for translation by women, peace and security advocates. Languages currently on this priority list are:

Achehnese (Indonesia)
Acholi/Luo (Northern Uganda,South Sudan)
Bari (Sudan)
Bengali (Bangladesh, India)
Dinka (Sudan)
Embera (Colombia)
Hindi
Hmong (spoken in Laos, Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, and Southern China)
Khmer (Cambodia)
Luganda (Uganda)
Malayalam (South Indian)
Mongolian
Nuer (Sudan)
Oshiwambo (Namibia)
Paez (Colombia)
Pashto (Afghanistan)
Pidgin (Papua New Guinea)
Quechua (Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Northern Chile, Argentina, Southern Colombia)
Sangho (Central African Republic)
Shilook (Sudan)
Tajik
Wayu (Venezuela)
Wayunaiki (Colombia)
Xhosa (S. Africa)
Zande (Sudan)
Zulu (S. Africa)

If you have translated UNSC Resolution 1325, know of existing translations, would be interested in translating, or know of others who would, please contact us at: info@peacewomen.org

To view the 72 translations and their sources, please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/1325inTranslation/index.html

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“Using 1325 in Translation” Initiative

PeaceWomen is now collecting information on how translations of the resolution are being used and the impact of the availability of these translations on the work of women peace and security advocates. We invite anyone who has used translations of 1325 for outreach, advocacy or other purposes, or who may know how translations of the resolution are being used to provide us with information detailing among other things:

v Which particular translation(s) of 1325 you have used or know is being used
v Who carried out the translation (if known) or how the translation(s) was accessed
v The types of activities for which this translation(s) has been used (e.g. workshops, radio programs) and your opinion about the impact of such activities in promoting resolution 1325
v What you believe to be the importance of translating Resolution 1325 into local languages
v Ideas on languages which may require a 1325 translation and whether you or anyone you know may be interested translating the resolution

Kindly contribute to the “Using 1325 in Translation” effort by responding to these questions or submitting any other information on translating UNSCR 1325 to info@peacewomen.org

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Beyond Firewood: Fuel Alternatives and Protection Strategies for Displaced Women and Girls
Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children, March 2006

The environment that surrounds refugee or internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, particularly in situations of ongoing conflict, is notoriously dangerous. Yet every day, in hundreds of camps around the world, millions of women and girls venture out into this danger, risking rape, assault, abduction, theft, exploitation or even murder, in order to collect enough firewood to cook with or to sell in order to survive. Rarely is cooking fuel provided by the humanitarian community, and even more rarely do men collect the wood. The risks associated with firewood collection have been well known for years, yet few effective strategies are in place to combat the problem.

The Women’s Commission is advocating for solutions that reduce displaced women and girls’ vulnerability to gender-based violence (GBV) as they collect firewood. Physical protection strategies can actively prevent attack during the collection of firewood. The development of alternative sources of cooking fuel, on the other hand, can help to lessen the potential for attack.

In the report, Beyond Firewood: Fuel Alternatives and Protection Strategies for Displaced Women and Girls, the Women’s Commission outlines alternative fuel options, firewood collection techniques and other protection strategies that should be used in displaced and refugee situations worldwide.
To be effective, however, all strategies aimed at reducing the threat to women and girls should be accompanied by the development of income-generation activities. Women and girls must be able to earn a living in ways other than collecting or selling firewood.

Full Report available at: http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/Displacement/March06/Beyond_Firewood.pdf

Case Studies Published with the Report:

Nepal Case Study: Finding Trees in the Desert: Firewood Collection and Alternatives in Darfur:
http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/Displacement/March06/Beyond_Firewood.pdf

Darfur Case Study: The Perils of Direct Provision: UNHCR’s Response to the Fuel Needs of Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal:
http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/Displacement/March06/df_fuel.pdf

For more information visit: http://www.womenscommission.org/projects/rh/firewood.shtml

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For NGO and civil society reports, papers and statements, UN and government reports, and books, journals and articles on women, peace and security issues,
please visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/resourcesindex.html

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More Women Needed in Global Peacekeeping Operations: UN-backed Conference

March 29, 2006 – (UN News) Describing the current low numbers of women in United Nations peacekeeping operations as “disheartening,” a United Nations-backed conference called today for their number to be doubled every year for the next few years, saying this would not only improve the efficiency of peacekeeping but also its credibility.

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Enhancing the Operational Impact of Peacekeeping Operations: Gender Balance in Military and Police Services Deployed to UN Peacekeeping Missions

This overview study was prepared as a discussion document for a 2-day policy dialogue convened by the DPKO Best Practices Section among Troop and Police Contributing Countries, on enhancing the operational impact of peacekeeping operations through greater gender balance among peacekeepers. The paper indicates that despite strong findings regarding women’s positive impact on operational outcomes in peacekeeping operations, with very few exceptions, there are marked limitations in action by either Governments or DPKO to increase the deployment of women.

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Addressing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in MONUC: Lessons Learned Study
Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Best Practices Unit, March 2006

This paper reviews the manner in which the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) addressed the burgeoning scandal surrounding allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by United Nations personnel. It outlines the history and rationale for establishing the Office for Addressing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OASEA) and examines some lessons learned from the experience.

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Analysis Of Department Of Peacekeeping Operations Policy Dialogue: Reviewing Strategies for Enhancing Gender Balance Amongst Uniformed Personnel in Peacekeeping Missions

There is increasing recognition by the UN and its member states of the need for greater women’s participation in all types of peace operations. However the number of women in UN peacekeeping missions remains very low, constituting around 1 % and 4% respectively, of all military personnel and civilian police deployed.

To address this issue, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) held a policy dialogue focused on gender balance amongst uniform personnel in peacekeeping operations on 28-29 March 2006. The dialogue brought together military, police and civilian experts from troop and police contributing countries, to discuss the operational impact of women peacekeepers, and good policies and practices for enhancing the participation of women in peacekeeping operations. The meeting was held within the context of DPKO’s efforts to strengthen the overall framework for implementing UNSCR 1325 on women peace and security.

Peacekeeping operations generally have many categories of personnel, including military troops, observers, civilian police and civilian personnel. This multiplicity of roles reflects the evolution of the practice and objectives of peacekeeping. The Peacekeeping operations deployed in the first few decades of the UN’s existence were typically limited in mandate to the maintenance of cease-fires and separation of forces, and were mostly staffed by troops drawn from the military forces of member states. The concept of peacekeeping expanded in the post-cold war era as the international community sought to better manage complex emergencies through preventive deployment, protection of humanitarian operations during conflicts and post –conflict peace-building. This has necessarily required an expansion of the civilian component of the operations. UN Civilian Police in particular, increasingly play a crucial role in peacekeeping operations. There are currently more than 7,000 civilian police from 80 countries participating in different missions around the globe, involved in tasks ranging from patrols, training and advice to local police services, to helping to ensure compliance with human rights standards. In addition, more than 10,000 local and international civilian personnel and volunteers bring their expertise to peacekeeping tasks such as election supervision, judicial support and human rights monitoring.

It has been noted that although there are many peace-keeping responsibilities which can be efficiently undertaken by both men and women, there are other situations, such as in cases of sexual violence in armed conflict, or where there is culturally-mandated separation between men and women, that can best be addressed by women. In this context, the participation of female personnel has an operational impact on the fulfillment of Peacekeeping mandates. Examples of specific peacekeeping activities where women are more effective include: screening of female former combatants, cordon and search activities where women are involved, ensuring equal registration and voting in elections, humanitarian issues, and the monitoring of the situation of women in local prisons. In addition the presence of more women in a mission, especially at senior levels, is necessary if the UN is to set a credible example of equal participation and equal rights for women and men globally. It also helps to promote an environment that discourages sexual exploitation and abuse of the local population.

According to the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the principle reason for the scarcity of women in peacekeeping is their very low numbers in the national forces and police units of troop and police contributing countries. However, statistical data indicates that in virtually all cases the proportions of women deployed are even lower than they are in national forces. While European and North American countries have bigger percentages of women in police and armed forces, some of the larger personnel contributing countries such as India, Bangladesh and South Africa have also managed to find qualified female police officers to send on peacekeeping missions.

One of the key results of the meeting is the recognition that currently little is being done by states and DPKO to address the problem. One recommendation is that the Peacekeeping Department should request contributing states to provide a minimum percentage of female police officers and military observers. It was also noted that DPKO and member states need to take concrete steps to ensure the appointment and promotion of women to key command posts in peacekeeping missions and improve the service conditions and amenities available to female personnel.

As the first ever meeting of troop and police contributing countries focused on gender balance among personnel in peacekeeping missions, the DPKO dialogue was an important step in drawing attention to the skills and contributions of women in peacekeeping. But in highlighting the low levels of female civilian and military personnel deployed by member states, the forum also makes clear that national-level policies of UN member states are central to the participation of women in peacekeeping.

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For PeaceWomen’s Peacekeeping Watch index, visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/pkwatch/pkwatch.html

For more gender and peacekeeping news, visit PeaceWomen’s Gender and Peacekeeping News Index:

http://www.peacewomen.org/un/pkwatch/pknews.html

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Press Release on Situation in Nepal:
President of the Institute of Human Rights Communication, Nepal
24 April 2006

The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security would like to call attention to the escalating situation of violence in Nepal and attacks on demonstrators demanding democracy and human rights.

The following is a press release from Shobha Gautam - president of the Institute of Human Rights Communication in Nepal. Shobha joined the NGO Working Group at United Nations Headquarters during the 50th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women to advocate for international support to address the urgent situation in Nepal:

Institute of Human Rights Communication, Nepal (IHRICON) strongly condemns the atrocities being waged by the Nepalese security agencies – the Royal Nepalese Army, the Armed Police Force and the Nepal Police against the people of Nepal participating in peaceful demonstrations.

Security forces are indiscriminately firing bullets and teargas shells at the demonstrators. Severe beatings and indiscriminate baton-charges to disperse the protesters have caused a large number of injuries to the civilian population, including human rights activists, journalists, medical professionals, lawyers, students, women and children and bystanders.

Till now fourteen demonstrators were killed by, hundreds were seriously injured, and thousands are still being treated in hospitals and nursing homes.

Police brutality against peaceful demonstrators is increasing every day. In this connection several children and young people have been stampeded in huge crowds, due to police brutality and their shooting at unarmed crowds and throwing tear gas. Within this two and half week long pro-democracy movement almost 182 children under the age of 18 have been injured and an 18 year old boy Sagun Tamrakar was fatally shot. The condition of three children is critical, and many more are in a serious condition.

We strongly oppose the excessive force unleashed by the security forces causing the extra-judicial killings of civilians, leaving other hundreds injured and thousands arrested over the last two and half weeks.

The denial of access and freedom of movement to human rights defenders, media and medical personnel in the name of a curfew is really condemnable. Even UN monitors have been denied freedom of movement, thus violating the agreement between the Nepalese government and the OHCHR.

We caution the Royal Nepalese Army and armed police forces against obeying criminal orders to kill unarmed protesting civilians. The level of indiscriminate firing into crowds and wilful killing of people in peace demonstrations, places criminal liability on individual military personnel before international law and cannot be shielded by reason of 'following orders'. Soldiers should be aware that they are undertaking unlawful orders to commit human rights violations and could be held accountable after the king has been compelled to give up his power.

We strongly call on the Nepalese security agencies not to obey the orders of the government which result in the killing and further suffering of their own people.

Shobha Gautam

For more information, please contact Shobha or Kapil (ihricon@mos.com.np).

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For more information about the NGOWG, CLICK HERE.

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Beyond Numbers: Supporting Women’s Political Participation and Promoting Gender Equality in Post-conflict Governance in Africa

UNIFEM takes action worldwide to facilitate women’s participation in peace processes, increase the numbers of women in post-conflict decision-making, build their political influence, and make governance processes more sensitive to gender. In preparation for the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on Democratic Governance in Africa: Strategies for Greater Participation of Women held in December 2005 in Arusha, UNIFEM commissioned a background report to document its activities in this area. This discussion paper outlines the agency’s contributions to enhance women’s political participation and integrate a gender perspective in post-conflict governance in Africa, focusing on Burundi, Liberia, and Somalia.

For the complete report please visit:
http://www.womenwarpeace.org/issues/peaceprocess/peace_process.htm.

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UNIFEM Launches Database to Track Violence against Women in Afghanistan

A new pilot project to capture cases of violence against women in a comprehensive database has been launched by UNIFEM in Afghanistan. The database will be used to analyze trends and determine strategies to tackle the issue, including identifying gaps in nation-wide response mechanisms and service provision for victims.

The new database includes a standardized format intended to identify the types of violence perpetrated, systematize recording and reporting of cases, and form a central repository of information for law enforcement agencies so that women's complaints are taken seriously and agencies are better able to prosecute cases. The data collected will also be used in recommendations to government and law-making bodies to improve legislation and legal processes to address the issue. The data will be incorporated in the national statistics compiled and disseminated by the central statistics office.

As a key part of the project, UNIFEM has been training field workers in conducting interviews with victims of violence. Inputs from the training have in turn helped to refine and sharpen the research and format elements of the database. The interview process includes a practical check-list of priorities to cover, beginning with the immediate safety of the woman being interviewed, followed by recommendations on getting treatment in the event of any injuries, and then documentation of the victim's injuries for future court proceedings. Throughout, interviewers are reminded of the necessity of building trust by listening and not placing blame on the victim so that fear and stigma do not prevent them from reporting their experiences.

For more information, contact Meryem Aslan, meryem.aslan@unifem.org

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Women from Coalition 1325 Network in Azerbaijan Elected to High-Level Posts

Hijran Huseynova, an active member of Azerbaijan's "Coalition 1325," has been appointed chair of the country's new governmental body on gender, the State Committee on Family, Women and Children Issues. Her appointment follows the election of two other Coalition members to Azerbaijan's Parliament in November: Havva Mammadova, from the National Network of IDP Women, and Bahar Muradova, who was re-elected and appointed vice-speaker of Parliament. In addition, another founding member of the Coalition, Tamam Jafarova, became a member of the Central Election Committee (CEC), one of only three women on the thirteen-member committee.

The fragile situation of "no-war-no-peace" in the region, and the impact this has on women and girls, is complicated by the fact that there are few women in high-level leadership positions, so these recent successes are a welcome boost to members of Coalition 1325. The women all agree that their achievements were possible only because they formed a united front in their efforts to advance gender equality. "We all represent different parties and organizations that often do not intersect in everyday life. But under the flag of the Coalition, we've managed to unite our voices for common values," Huseynova told UNIFEM.

For more information, contact Yelena Kudryavtseva, yelena.kudryavtseva@undp.org

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UNIFEM’s Web Portal on Women, Peace and Security, CLICK HERE

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Nuclear Power Is Not Sustainable - For Our Health, Our Communities And Our Future
May 5, 2006, 1:15-2:45PM, Conference Room TBA, United Nations HQ, New York

This event will explore why nuclear power fails as a sustainable, viable and cost-effective energy generation method. It will document nuclear power's dire impacts on public health, women and children, indigenous communities, the natural environment, global safety and security. The panel will address the possibilities of clean, safe, and sustainable energy options and explore the financial mechanisms through which to achieve a sustainable energy future for all.

SPEAKERS:
Helen Caldicott, Physician, Renowned Author & Anti-nuclear Activist, Nuclear Policy Research Institute
Kathy Wan Povi Sanchez, Indigenous Community Activist, Tewa Women United
Carah Ong, Advocacy and Research Director, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
Michele Boyd, Legislative Director, Public Citizen
Alice Slater, President, GRACE Policy Institute (Moderator)
Sponsored by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, GRACE Policy Institute, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, and The Norwegian Forum for Development and Environment

For more information and to register for a pass to access the UN, please contact Garance Stettler at WILPF
(212) 682-1265 or garance@peacewomen.org, www.wilpf.int.ch

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Rally to Stop Genocide in Darfur
April 30th, 2006, 2-4:30pm, Washington, DC

Organized by the Save Darfur Coalition, an alliance of more than 155 faith-based, humanitarian and human rights organizations.

For more information, please visit: http://www.savedarfur.org/rally/

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CEDAW Committee 35Th Session
15 May – 2 June 2006

The thirty fifth session of the CEDAW Committee will take place between 15th May and 2nd June 2006, and will examine the reports of the following states parties: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Malaysia, St. Lucia, Turkmenistan, Cyprus, Guatemala, Malawi and Romania.

NGOs are encouraged to submit country-specific information to the CEDAW Committee in the form of alternative or shadow reports. Representatives from NGOs have the option of orally presenting country-specific information during informal meetings with CEDAW Committee members.

For more information, please visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/ecosoc/CEDAW/CEDAW.html

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Wilton Park Conference: Implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325
30 May – Friday 2 June 2006 , Wilton Park Conferences Wiston House, Steyning, West Sussex. United Kingdom

What are the challenges in implementing the measures set out in SCR 1325 to ensure the equal participation of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding? How to identify and establish funding to support initiatives? Are there existing tools that can be better utilised? What methodologies can be applied to identify and train women to fulfil the roles identified in SCR 1325?

For further information, Contact:
Wilton Park Conferences
Alison Jones, Conference Administrator
Wilton Park, Wiston House, Steyning, West
Sussex. BN44 3DZ
Telephone: +44 (0)1903 817714 Fax: +44 (0)1903 817162.
Email: alison.jones@wiltonpark.org.uk
http://www.wiltonpark.org.uk

For more information on the Conference programme please visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/frame/calendar/fliers/wiltonparkpeacesecurityconf.pdf

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14th Annual International Conference On Conflict Resolution
May 5 - 15, 2006, The Common Bond Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia

The ICR Conference offers an open forum for many perspectives and approaches, exploring conflict transformation within diverse contexts, including: arts/creativity, cross-cultural/ ethnic, ecology/environment, economics/business, education, gender, global/regional conflict, health/healing arts, human rights, organizational/community, psychotherapy, and transpersonal/ spiritual. Focus is on all aspects of conflict, from the intrapersonal - to the interpersonal - to relationships between groups, organizations, cultures, and societies - and ultimately between us and other species.

Following the ICR Conference an intensive International Training in Trauma Treatment is held for relief workers from regions of conflict.

PARTICIPATION: Participants have come from over 65 countries and all continents, providing excellent networking opportunities. The program attracts key stakeholders in their respective societies, some from both sides of existing conflicts, who can model and teach these skills to many others.

For more information, please see visit: http://www.cbiworld.org/Pages/Conferences_ICR.htm

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3rd Annual International Youth Conference: "The Ecology Of War And Peace"
May 5-15, 2006, Formal Conference Program: May 6-11. Common Bond Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia

A parallel youth conference, held at the same time and location as the Annual International Conference on Conflict Resolution (ICR), addressing issues of negative stereotypes, prejudice, and scapegoating that lead to demonizing and dehumanizing "The Other." The theme of ecology is used as a common ground all parties can resonate with being "on the same side" of, as they delve into personal interactions to explore these dynamics and help to empower each other as the future leaders of the world.

For information, proposal and registration forms, Contact:
COMMON BOND INSTITUTE (USA), Steve Olweean, Coordinator
12170 S. Pine Ayr Drive, Climax, Michigan 49034
Ph/Fax: 269-665-9393
E-mail: SOlweean@aol.com

For more information, please visit: http://www.cbiworld.org/Pages/Conferences_EWP.htm

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For the complete calendar, CLICK HERE.

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