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1325
PeaceWomen E-News
Issue
#83
17 November 2006
OCTOBER 2006: SIXTH ANNIVERSARY RECAP AND FOLLOW-UP
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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THIS ISSUE OF 1325 PEACEWOMEN E-NEWS FEATURES:
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1.
EDITORIAL
The PeaceWomen Team
|
The preceding month has seen a host
of activities to mark the sixth anniversary of Resolution 1325 (see
Item 3). As we have noted on numerous occasions, while focused attention
on the resolution and its implementation is welcome, we look forward
to this being something which extends through the entire year. The
2006 Open Debate on women, peace and security, held on 26 October
under the Presidency of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the UN
(entitled Women’s roles in the consolidation of peace) offered
a space to reflect on this. As Spain noted, “the importance
of the resolution must transcend the necessary and thought provoking
celebration of the anniversary.” As we take stock of the status
of implementation, despite the achievements to date, we are in agreement
with Ghana’s observation at the Open Debate that “on
balance . . . [the UN and Member States] have only paid lip service
to the aspirations underpinning this epoch-making resolution and
its implementation has been inconsistent, with mixed and varying
results.”
The establishment of a mechanism within the Security
Council to further implementation would go some way in addressing
the accountability gap. As was the case in 2004 and 2005, this year’s
Open Debate saw several Member States and groups, including the
European Union, Finland, Fiji, Ghana, Liechtenstein, Indonesia,
Kenya and Spain advocating this step. We sincerely hope that the
Security Council now takes this seriously and that at the next anniversary
we can be celebratingcelebrate the implementation of such a mechanism.
Hopefully we will see the UN system will take seriously the challenge
and innovative suggestion offered by the United Kingdom’s
Ambassador who posed the question: “Can we set clear objectives
for each of our peace support operations in post-conflict countries?
This objective is simple - to implement 1325. And in setting that
objective, can we then develop an action plan, specific to each
country, agreed with the government, in which individual funds,
programmes and agencies assume particular responsibility for the
separate elements of 1325? In looking at country situations in the
Council, the Council would then be able to assess the' objectives,
the intended implementation and the success in achieving precise
outputs. This would result in the systematic application of the
Resolution and accountability for how it was done.”
Systematic, coherent and coordinated implementation
of the resolution is, of course, the responsibility of the entire
UN system. The Secretary-General’s 2006 report on women, peace
and security, which reviews the existing UN system-wide action plan,
reveals the many challenges ahead in making this action plan a viable
tool to aid implementation (a PeaceWomen critique of the Report
can be found under item 2).
The newly established Peacebuilding Commission,
that recently held its first general and country-specific sessions,
is one of the many entities within the UN system in whose work integration
of 1325 is critical. As Canada noted, it also shares the responsibility
of ensuring that “women participate in all levels of peace
consolidation and that gender equality is integrated throughout
all peace and security activities.” In its work in relation
to Sierra Leone and Burundi (as the first countries with which it
will work) and in the future, we hope to see the integration of
1325 and a gender perspective. Our update on the Peacebuilding Commission
(see Item 7) notes the extent to which this already occurring. The
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security in its new report
on 1325 and the Peacebuilding Commission (see item 9) put forward
several issues and recommendations to be considered in this sphere
of UN activity. Several Member States expressed their support of
these recommendations including the appointment of a senior level
gender advisor within the Peacebuilding Support Office; participation
of women’s organizations in the work of the Commission; and
the integration of a gender perspective in this work, in the Peacebuilding
Support Office and in relation to the Peacebuilding Fund. As the
United Kingdom noted, “[w]e have high expectations of the
Peacebuilding Commission” and, like South Africa, “urge
the Commission to pay particular attention to the knowledge and
understanding that women can bring in peacebuilding processes. This
is the least we can expect from this latest important organ of the
United Nations.”
For all of this to be true, as is the case in relation
to the Security Council, the implementation of Resolution 1325 needs
to be taken seriously on all levels and at all times. We will continue
to monitor progress, not just during October, but throughout the
year. Our newest resource (item 5), the PeaceWomen 1325 Security
Council Monitor: Resolution Watch, will hopefully serve as a useful
tool in tracking the extent to which the Security Council effectively
integrates women, peace and security issues in its resolutions.
The coordination and systematic implementation
of 1325 is but one part of work within the UN system towards achieving
gender equality and women’s empowerment. In this larger sphere,
we are particularly encouraged and excited by the recently released
report of the Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on System-Wide
Coherence which recommends the reforming and strengthening of the
gender equality architecture of the UN. WILPF has, with women’s
groups around the world, been involved in advocacy efforts in relation
to the Panel’s work since early this year and, as noted by
Panel member’s, our voices were heard and made the difference.
We look forward to Member States showing their commitment to gender
equality by endorsing and making the Panel’s recommendations
a reality.
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As always we welcome your contributions
to the newsletter’s content. Contributions for the December
edition, which will focus on violence against women, should be sent
to enewssubmissions@peacewomen.org
by Thursday 7 December 2006.
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2.
WOMEN,
PEACE AND SECURITY NEWS |
SECURITY
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS WOMEN’S ROLE IN PEACE PROCESS, URGES MORE
INVOLVEMENT
October 26, 2006 - (UN News Centre) Highlighting the role played
by women in promoting peace in countries emerging from conflict,
the United Nations Security Council today stressed it was essential
to promote the full participation of women in helping rebuild such
societies and also encouraged more female involvement in UN peacekeeping
operations.
UN
GENDER ADVISER CALLS FOR MORE ACTION TO INTEGRATE WOMEN IN PEACE
ISSUES
October 25, 2006 – The United Nations should do more to encourage
Member States to adopt national action plans to more fully integrate
women in peace and security issues, especially in countries recovering
from conflict, the UN Special Adviser on Gender Issues said today.
ALGERIAN
AMNESTY HEIGHTENS DANGER TO WOMEN
October 27, 2006 - (Women's ENews) Women's activists in Algeria
say a sweeping 2005 amnesty, offered to most prosecutors of Algeria's
decade-long "dirty war," is making the culture more dangerous
for women. Reports of domestic violence, they say, are rising.
WOMEN’S
ISSUES TOP THE AGENDA GLOBALLY
October 29, 2006 - (The Standard) Twenty-one years ago, women gathered
in Nairobi for the first UN International Women’s Conference
to be held in Africa. Last week, they were back. This time to evaluate
progress made over the years following the development of strategies
aimed at fostering the advancement of women.
WOMEN
UNDER ATTACK IN IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN
October 27, 2006 - (AP) Women are facing increasing violence in
Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia, especially when they speak out publicly
to defend women's rights, a senior U.N. official told the U.N. Security
Council. Noeleen Heyzer, executive director of the U.N. Development
Fund for Women, called on for fresh efforts to ensure the safety
of women in countries emerging from conflicts, to provide them with
jobs, and ensure that they receive justice, including compensation
for rape.
PROPOSED
UN AGENCY `DRAMATIC STEP FORWARD' FOR WOMEN
November 10, 2006 - (Toronto Star) A landmark proposal for creating
a powerful new United Nations women's agency moved a giant step
closer to reality yesterday, with the endorsement of a high-level
panel on reforming the sprawling UN system.
WOMEN
WORKING FOR PEACE SUPPORT BASQUE PROCESS
October 24, 2006 - (eitb) It's essential for women to participate
in peace negotiations to find the solution to the Basque conflict,
and for this process to incorporate their experiences, interests
and expectations, a statement by the women read. Women in peace
processes around the world endorsed a statement applauding "the
process of dialogue" that has been opened up in the Basque
Country "to seek peace and the solution to the Basque conflict."
The statement also considers it "essential" for women
"to actively participate in peace negotiations" and "to
incorporate their experiences, interests and expectations, as urged
by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.
AFRICAN
POLITICS NEEDS MORE WOMEN
October 20, 2006 - (The Namibian) African political parties must
stop paying lip service to women's representation in their top echelons,
Namibia's Deputy Prime Minister Libertina Amathila told a meeting
in Windhoek yesterday. Politicians, researchers and other policy
makers from the continent started meeting in the Namibian capital
to discuss ways in which they can strengthen political parties on
the continent.
NO
TRUE DEMOCRACY WITHOUT WOMEN PARTICIPATION— OBASANJO
October 28, 2006 - (Vanguard) For democracy to strive and make meaningful
impact in the country, there must be an appreciable number of women
in all spheres of life including the top decision making positions
in Nigeria, President Olusegun Obasanjo said at the weekend.
ENCOURAGING
RESULTS REGISTERED IN ENSURING WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
November 4, 2006 - (The Ethiopian Herald) An official of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs said encouraging results have been registered
towards strengthening the role of women in national development
owing to the government's due attention to gender equality.
SUDANESE
WOMEN MOBILIZE FOR PEACE
November 8, 2006 – (Hunt Alternatives Fund) Women throughout
Sudan are crossing party and regional lines to raise their collective
voice for a more peaceful and secure Sudan. As the second anniversary
of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) approaches, Sudan and
its international partners are evaluating progress toward implementing
that landmark accord. From November 8 through 12, The Initiative
for Inclusive Security will convene some of Sudan’s most distinguished
women leaders, including members of the Government of National Unity
(GNU), Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), and civil society leaders.
HORRIFYING
STORY FOR INCARCERATED WOMEN IN GAUTENG PRISONS
November 2, 2006 - (CAJ) Women prisoners in Gauteng are seven times
more likely to have been raped as children than the general female
population and they experience a higher-than-average degree of violence
in their intimate relationships.
WOMEN
LEGISLATORS ULULATE AS HOUSE PASSES DOMESTIC BILL
November 8, 2006 - (The Herald) The Domestic Violence Bill that
seeks to provide for protection and relief to victims was yesterday
passed in the House of Assembly with amendments. The proposed law
now awaits transmission to the Senate for consideration. There was
jubilation and ululation among female lawmakers from both sides
of the House when the Bill finally sailed through.
HAITI
MILITIAMAN ORDERED TO PAY £10M FOR RAPES
October 27, 2006 - (The Guardian) One of Haiti's most notorious
paramilitary leaders has been ordered to pay $19m (£10m) in
damages to three women who were gang-raped by members of his militia.
Emmanuel "Toto" Constant, 49, was the leader of Fraph,
one of Haiti's most ruthless rightwing paramilitary units, which
pursued supporters of the deposed president Jean-Bertrand Aristide
during the so-called reign of terror in the early 1990s.
WOMEN
HOPE TO AFFECT KHARTOUM PEACE TALKS
October 16, 2006 (The Washington File) The women of Somalia have
a critical role to play in laying the foundation for sustainable
peace in their war-torn nation by acting as a bridge between rival
political movements and clans, says Asha Elmi, a member of Parliament
of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG).
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For
more country-specific women, peace and security news, CLICK
HERE
For
more international women, peace and security news, CLICK
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| 3.sixth
anniversary of resolution 1325 |
UN SECURITY COUNCIL ARRIA FORMULA MEETING
United Nations Headquarters, New York, 25 October 2006
On 25 October 2006, the Government of the United Kingdom, as
a member of the Security Council, hosted an Arria Formula meeting,
an informal, off-the-record meeting of the Council, on the role
of women in the consolidation of peace, in order to review progress
made in the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
The Council heard from the following speakers:
• Leymah Gbowee - Executive Director, Women in
Peacebuilding Network (Liberia)
Statement: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/6thAnniversary/Arria_Statements/Leymah_gbowee.pdf
• Barbara Bangura - Coordinator, Grassroots Empowerment
for Self Reliance (Sierra Leone)
Statement: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/6thAnniversary/Arria_Statements/Barbara_bangura.pdf
•Bineta Diop - on behalf of Safaa Elagib Adam,
Secretary-General, Community Development Association (Sudan)
Statement: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/6thAnniversary/Arria_Statements/Safaa_Adam.pdf
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UN SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE
ON WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY
United Nations Headquarters, New York, 26 October 2006
The Permanent Mission of Japan, which held the Security Council
Presidency during the month of October, organized this debate
that took place on 26 October 2006. All 15 members of the Security
Council, 29 Non-Security Council Member States, 4 UN Entities
and 2 Civil Society representatives made interventions.
Governmental, UN and Civil Society Statements:
Security Council Members:
Argentina, China, Congo, Denmark, France, Ghana, Greece, Japan,
Peru, Qatar, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Tanzania, United Kingdom,
United States
Non-Security Council Members:
Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Comoros, Colombia, Croatia, Egypt,
El Salvador, Fiji, Finland (for EU), Germany, Guatemala, Guinea,
Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya, Lesotho (for SADC), Liechtenstein,
Myanmar, Netherlands, Norway, Papua New Guinea (for Pacific Islands
Forum), Slovenia (for Human Security Network), South Africa, Spain,
Sudan, Sweden, Uganda
UN & Civil Society:
- Rachel Mayanja, Assistant Secretary-General, Special Adviser
on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women
- Jean-Marie Guéhenno, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping
- Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Director, United Nations Development
Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
- Carolyn McAskie, Assistant Secretary-General, Peacebuilding
Support Office
- Christine Miturumbwe, Coordinator, Dushirehamwe Association
(Burundi)
- Maria Dias, President, East Timorese Women's Network (Timor-Leste)
For the full statements visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/6thAnniversary/Open_Debate/index.html
For the webcast of the Open Debate visit: http://www.un.org/webcast/sc.html
For the Presidential Statement visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/6thAnniversary/Open_Debate/Presidential_statement.pdf
For the NGOWG on Women, Peace and Security recommendations
visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/6thAnniversary/NGOWG_Recommendations.pdf
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THEMATIC COMPILATION OF STATEMENTS AT UN SECURITY
COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY
The PeaceWomen Team
The PeaceWomen Project has compiled excerpts, arranged by theme,
from statements made during the Security Council Open Debate held
on 26 October 2006. The compilation deals with the following themes:
Ghana
The only mechanism developed by the Security Council to track
its own implementation has been the annual open debate and the
Arria Formula style meeting on women, peace and security. The
Council should play a more proactive role by setting up a mechanism
for a more systematic, effective and coordinated implementation
of resolution 1325 in its work by designating a SC member to
serve a s a focal point and an expert level working group on
women, peace and security consisting of Council members.
Liechtenstein
While we commend the Security Council for its measures to further
mainstream SCR 1325, we are concerned that six years after the
adoption of this historic resolution the Council still has no
systematic way to ensure the integration of a gender perspective
in its work. We therefore wish to join other delegations in
calling on the Council to establish a focal point or an expert
level working group on women, peace and security to ensure systematic
implementation and integration of SCR 1325 within its work,
including in all resolutions that establish or extend peacekeeping
missions and in terms of references for Security Council mission
trips and mission reports.
The Netherlands
In conclusion, I would specifically like to underline the need
for the Security Council to more systematically integrate resolution
1325 in its work. This could start by including a gender perspective
and a reference to Resolution 1325 in all its resolutions that
establish or extend mandates for peacekeeping missions.
Spain
Since 2000, only 39 of the Security Council’s 261 resolutions
or texts have contained any reference to gender issues. Only
five of the 59 resolutions adopted in 2004 dealt with the issue
of violence against women, and only eight made reference to
resolution 1325 (2000). Spain attaches great importance to the
effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). . . . In
that same year [2004], in the Security Council, Spain highlighted
the importance of the Council’s giving serious consideration
to the establishment of a permanent mechanism for the effective
follow-up of the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in
the context of the various conflict situations that it deals
with on an ongoing basis.
Canada
In order for peace consolidation to effectively integrate gender
equality and women's rights, we need to focus both on increased
direct participation of women in peace processes as well as
on institutional reform that is gender-aware.
Finland (EU)
Women's equal participation and full involvement is a prerequisite
for achieving, maintaining and promoting sustainable peace.
The importance of SCR 1325 cannot thus be emphasised enough.
The EU strongly believes in gender equality as a prerequisite
for peace and security. Within the framework of the European
Consensus on Development, adopted in December 2005, the EU supports
conflict prevention and peacebuilding by addressing the root-causes
of violent conflict, including gender inequality.
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein has been advocating, for many years already, the
appointment of women as special representatives and envoys of
the Secretary General because we are convinced that such appointments
can play a catalytic role for the stronger involvement of women
in peace processes, especially when those reach more formal
stages. They might also have a positive impact on the level
of reporting on gender-related issues to the Security Council,
which is still unsatisfactory. Therefore, we consider such appointments
as crucial for a better implementation of SCR 1325.
Progress on the representation of women in those leadership
positions has, however, again been disappointing since the last
time the Council met on this topic. We are, of course, aware
of the need to provide the Secretary General with the names
of potential, well-qualified candidates for such posts and invite
all interested States and NGOs to join forces in gathering the
necessary information. There is no doubt in our mind that there
are enough suitable candidates for such functions. We just have
to seriously look for them.
South Africa
With the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325, we have
come to realise the important contribution by women in the maintenance
of peace and security. We have also come to accept that women
are not simply victims of wars and conflicts, but important
role-players in the resolution of conflicts. Following the passage
of Resolution 1325 we have seen a growing demand for the inclusion
of women in peace negotiations. Women are gradually finding
a place in the implementation of peace agreements, post conflict
rehabilitation, reconstruction and disarmament. What remains
is still the lack of the much needed political will to allow
women to fully participate and contribute in the resolution
of conflicts.
Colombia
Colombia has also adopted laws to protect women and promote
their participation. Colombia’s legislation favours female-headed
households and guarantees that women will fill 30 per cent of
public posts at decision-making levels in the different branches
and organs of public administration. The legislation has had
an incremental effect on their participation.
Congo
Aware of what is at stake with regard to women’s participation
in the decision-making process, the Government, working through
the department responsible for promoting the status of women
and in cooperation with its development partners and civil society,
has developed strategies to encourage the participation of Congolese
women in the forthcoming elections.
Finland (EU)
Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration are cornerstones
of transition from war to peaceful coexistence. The EU emphasizes
that DDR programmes should allow women and girl combatants as
well as supporters to combatants to register and participate
in these programmes.
Kenya
Resolution 1325 emphasized the need to incorporate gender perspectives
in post – conflict reconstruction and peace-building.
We are grateful to note that there has been increased attention
on the role of women in the post conflict rebuilding process,
especially in the judicial legislative and electoral sectors
as well as in restoration of the rule of law and transitional
justice. Women still need considerable support and capacity
building to be effective in new democratic and legal structures
that were traditionally dominated by men.
Finland (EU)
We are very pleased to see that women's role and SCR 1325 are
included in the outcome documents of the first country-specific
meetings. It is important that this is now operationalised and
converted into concrete action. The EU believes that gender
should be incorporated into every aspect of the work of the
PBC and the PBSO, including the appointment of specific advisory
staff. We also encourage the development of a gender policy
as well as continuous gender analysis of all aspects of work
of the PBC and PBSO, including regarding the use of the Peacebuilding
Fund. We also believe that the PBC and PBSO should ensure open
and inclusive participation and representation of women's organizations
and civil society in the work of the PBC, both at the country
level as well as in the discussions here in New York.
Liechtenstein
We consider it crucial that the Peacebuilding Commission establish
the necessary mechanisms to facilitate, together with the countries
concerned, the participation of representatives of local women's
groups and networks who are able to make the voices and priorities
of women from local and rural communities heard in country specific
configurations. Such mechanisms will also have to encompass
financial and other support to those groups and networks to
enable their effective engagement with the PBC.
Papua New Guinea (Pacific Islands Forum)
Finally, Mr President, allow me to also take this opportunity
to congratulate Fiji on its recent election to the newly formed
Peacebuilding Commission, which we trust will provide further
impetus to the full implementation of UNSCR 1325 in the Pacific.
In this regard, we also welcome the creation of a senior Gender
Advisor Position at the peace building support office to ensure
that gender is mainstreamed into all aspects of the Peacebuilding
Commission's work.
Tanzania
We are encouraged with the establishment of the Peacebuilding
Commission. The Commission, given adequate resources, has a
significant role to play in addressing gender equality in all
spheres - political, social and economic - and in particular
during the process of developing country strategies for peace
consolidation. The Peacebuilding Commission and the Support
Office would however require capacity building and support in
its endeavor to mainstream a gender perspective. In this regard,
we would encourage for a gender expert to be included in the
Support Office.
Germany
Unfortunately, even six years after the adoption of Security
Council Resolution 1325, sexual exploitation and abuse and the
solicitation of prostitutes in peacekeeping operations is still
an issue. We strongly support DPKO’s “zero tolerance
policy” and welcome its efforts to effectively fight sexual
exploitation and abuse of the most vulnerable by those who have
come with a mandate to protect. To this end, Germany has recently
pledged its financial support for DPKOs Anti-Prostitution-Campaign.
We are confident that this campaign will make a real impact.
Ghana
Troop contributing countries should mainstream gender issues
in their recruitment, training and development, including in
UN peacekeeping operations. In this respect, the particular
needs of conflict ridden or post conflict countries must be
taken on board in order to translate the commitments made into
concrete measures that will improve the situation of women.
Member States and partners must continue to give the needed
financial support to the implementation of 1325. An effective
and robust accountability, monitoring and reporting system should
be developed. However, without timely and clearly earmarked
resources, it may not move beyond the drawing table. It is also
of cardinal importance that in drawing up the national action
plan, women at the grassroot level or in communities are encouraged
to play a positive role in this exercise in partnership with
civil society.
The Netherlands
As a follow up to resolution 1325 the Netherlands, together with
other partners, has provided DPKO with funds for gender expertise
to integrate a gender perspective into peacekeeping operations.
In the course of this year, together with Norway and the United
Kingdom, we undertook a joint donor review of DPKO's implementation
of resolution 1325. Our joint findings in the DRC, Kosovo, Sierra
Leone and Liberia were presented to USG Guehenno this week.
They include numerous good practices as well as lessons learned
and remaining gaps and challenges. The overall conclusion was
that significant progress towards the implementation of resolution
1325 has been made and that the Gender Advisors are doing an
excellent job. However, commitment and accountability is still
limited, especially at senior and middle management levels.
The Netherlands welcomes the initiative of USG Gubhenno to issue
a dear policy directive to his staff in this regard.
United Kingdom
The Netherlands, Norway and the UK recently participated in
a joint donor review of the implementation of 1325 in the UN
peacekeeping missions in the DRC, Liberia, Sierra Leone and
Kosovo; I happy to note that progress is being made. But six
years on, this should be the norm and not the exception;
Gender mainstreaming is not taking place, there
is an absence of clear monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, so
that accountability is weak. Gender is not included in a systematic
or coherent way in either the establishment or running of peacekeeping
missions; Another problem is implementation. This includes implementation
by Member States, where national plans are much needed, implementation
by the countries emerging from conflict and implementation by
the UN family. We all have a responsibility;
France
How can women express and take part in civic life if they have
to be in contact with their former butchers and live in fear?
How can we ask them to have recourse to justice if justice is
synonymous with further humiliation, denial and potential reprisals?
The fight against impunity and the adoption of a sex-specific
approach by the judicial system are indispensable.
The Secretary-General's in-depth study on all forms of violence
against women also depends on the gap between the progress that
we have made in the normative sphere-be it through SCR 1325,
the progress in international humanitarian law and the Statute
of the International Criminal Court-and the persistence of the
phenomenon on the ground. France and the Netherlands are submitting
a draft resolution to the General Assembly this year in which
one of the points asks each of the United Nations organs to
examine respectively the means that it can employ to reduce
this gap between the norms and the reality on the ground.
Peru
That is why we feel that the international community must continue
to use all instruments available to it so as to put an end to
violations of the human rights of women and girls in situations
of armed conflict. This must be done through coordinated strategies
and policies at the national and international levels. For example,
although it is important that such situations be brought systematically
before international tribunals, States themselves have the primary
responsibility for providing justice and for punishing those
responsible for crimes. Only the rule of law and justice can
create a safe and sustainable environment that will enable the
full participation of women in the peacebuilding process.
Slovakia
We believe that the international community and national authorities
must respond more effectively to widespread, continued sexual
violence in situations of conflicts including through following
activities:
- training of workers in the medical, psychological and legal
assistance fields,
- identification of survivors through community based networks,
- medical, psychological and legal assistance to victims,
China
The Secretary-General's UN System-wide Action Plan for the implementation
of Resolution 1325 is a meaningful experiment as it involves dozens
of UN bodies and encompasses hundreds of specific actions. We
hope that the Plan will be followed through and integrated with
the UN reform process in order that the different bodies within
the UN system and the Secretariat are better adapted, systemically
and practice-wise, to implement fully this resolution.
Denmark
Guidelines, workshops and new gender-inclusive procedures are
important stepping-stones .Tools for proper implementation and
for achieving the objectives. It is, however, important now to
increase the visibility of the outcome and impact of such initiatives.
Have they made the intended difference for women and girls on
the ground! The sad answer is, that we don't really know.
According to the Report a number of gaps and challenges remain.
Let me underline a few: Strong commitment, leadership and accountability
at the highest level in the UN are key to progress. To this we
can all agree. But what does the Report say on this: That lack
of leadership and commitment to pursue the implementation of the
Action Plan both in inter-governmental bodies and in the UN system
is one of the serious weaknesses affecting the implementation
of the resolution. Despite the Security Council's many strategic
initiatives to promote gender equality and support the empowerment
of women, its attention to gender issues is not systematic.
It is furthermore incomprehensible, that in the UN in 2006 there
is, and I quote from the report: "...lack of a common understanding
of gender and gender mainstreaming and especially their practical
application.. ." The use of gender advisors in peacekeeping
operations by DPKO has improved capacity. However, to really make
a difference gender advisors must be appointed at senior level,
and their efforts must be matched by the necessary resources.
It is a management responsibility to implement SCR 1325.
The Report must be credited for unveiling weak accountability
mechanisms. We all know, that what is measured gets done, and
Denmark strongly endorses the recommendation to re-conceptualise
the Action Plan into a result-based programming, monitoring and
reporting tool.
Ghana
At the global level, in the current climate of UN reform, the
time is propi1ious to thoroughly examine and strengthen the intergovernmental
oversight. And provide the ultimate layer of oversight to review
both national implementation of SCR 1325, and the implementation
by UN entities. Further, intergovernmental oversight is woefully
inadequate.
The main instrument for implementing SCR 1325
at the UN System level is the Secretary-General's System-wide
Action Plan developed by the Inter-Agency task Force on Women,
Peace and Security. However, its shortcomings have detracted it
from its overall purpose, thereby making it ineffective in accurately
tracking progress, as clearly articulated in the Secretary-General's
report. It is also not encouraging to read that a third of tile
entities within the UN failed to respond to the questionnaire
on this issue, which may be interpreted a s lack of commitment
on the part of these bodies. We fully support the Secretary General's
call for the System-wide Action Plan to be revised and renewed
beyond 2007 in order to remedy its shortcomings and make it more
supportive of the ideals and goals of resolution 1325.
Guatemala
We also believe that heads of units, special representatives and
envoys of the Secretary-General should be held responsible for
mainstreaming a gender perspective into policies and programmes.
Moreover, we should strengthen capacity for full implementation
of resolution 1325 (2000), improve coordination of the system,
particularly on the ground, and provide incentives for the participation
of all interested sectors of civil society
Iceland
Since the adoption of resolution 1325, considerable attention
has been paid to its implementation at the UN level. Last year
we welcomed the UN System Wide Action Plan for the implementation
of resolution 1325, as an instrument to mainstream a gender perspective
throughout the work of the organization dealing with peace and
security. In order to reach the Millennium Development Goals a
gender perspective must be integrated into all strategies and
programmes.
Indonesia
Indonesia believe that the implementation of the action plan represents
the first phase in achieving a well-coordinated, results-based,
system-wide strategy. To succeed, this strategy will require committed,
sensitive leadership throughout the United Nations system actively
supported by women in decision-making positions whose actions
will help to consolidate peace. And it would also be good protocol
for the Council to interact more closely with other major United
Nations organs to enrich its insights for action and achieve better
decision-making.
Lesotho ( for SADC)
Member States too have the critical role of supporting the United
Nations system and monitoring progress to make sure implementation
is successful .We in SADC pledge to do our part. In conclusion,
Mr President, we support the Secretary-General'srecommendation
to the Security Council that the system-wide Action Plan be renewed
beyond the year 2007.
Argentina
Our own experience makes us recognize the importance of implement
national action plans for the implementation of Resolution 1325.
These plans should be elaborated through a participative process
that should include monitoring and accountability mechanisms for
the governments to assure not only the greatest possible number
of women participation in the decision making processes of the
country but also that their demands and needs are taken into consideration
at all state levels, especially in the institutional reform processes,
including the reform of the legislative, legal and security sectors.
Australia
In closing Mr President, I would like to congratulate our regional
neighbour, Fiji, for setting an example in the region by including
key elements of SCR1325 in their national women's plan of action.
Croatia
Through national mechanisms, like the recently adopted National
Policy for the Promotion of Gender Equality for the period of
2006-2010, special measures for achieving integration of gender
perspective in national security policy as well as the promotion
of application of the SCR 1325 are being incorporated.
Fiji
We also call on the international community and partners to assist
member states in need of assistance in the implementation process.
An area needing immediate attention is the development of national
action plans as a remedy for unsystematic and ad-hoc implementation
at the national level. Small developing countries like Fiji need
guidance and partnerships in areas of capacity and technical skills
on the formulation and implementation of national plans and strategies
on SCR 1325. Such action plans and strategies must be developed
after wide consultations with civil society organizations and
other stakeholders, and should include monitoring and reporting
mechanisms.
Finland (EU)
More needs to be done also on a national level. The integration
of SCR 1325 has to be country-driven. Member States need to take
responsibility for the success of SCR 1325 through ensuring that
it is integrated into national policy and training programmes.
A number of EU Member States as well as other countries have developed
national action plans and strategies on the implementation of
the resolution. We encourage countries to develop such plans and
to apply a broad gender mainstreaming approach across government,
for instance through a system-wide approach that links development,
humanitarian and defence issues. However, all plans should include
civil society consultations as well as monitoring and reporting
mechanisms.
Qatar
The key to the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) lies
in our commitment and accountability in assessing progress at
all levels, helping States to establish national action plans
and promoting the participation of regional commissions in the
establishment and assessment of national policies, strategies
and programmes to attain the major objectives of those plans.
Extracts from the Open Debate on this theme can be found
at:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/6thAnniversary/Compilation/National_Implementation.html
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ANALYSIS: UN SYSTEM-WIDE ACTION
PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SCR 1325
The PeaceWomen Team
The 2006 Report of the Secretary-General on women, peace and
security, released on 27 September 2006, reviews the UN System-wide
Action Plan for the implementation of resolution 1325; which was
developed and released in 2005. The plan, to which 39 UN entities
contributed, was prepared by the Office of the Special Adviser
on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI), in cooperation
with the Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE)
and its Task Force on Women, Peace and Security. The Security
Council, which in 2004 called for the preparation and submission
of the plan, in 2005 requested the Secretary-General to update,
monitor and review the implementation and integration on an annual
basis of the plan, starting in October 2006. This summary of the
Report sets out the background to the Action Plan and the Review
thereof and highlights what we see as some of the challenges presented.
The creation of the Action Plan was long advocated for by, amongst
others, the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security (of
which WILPF is a founding member). Resolution 1325 does not, in
itself, contain effective monitoring, reporting and accountability
mechanisms. This and the lack of a coordinated strategy for implementation
has repeatedly been cited as an impediment to effective realization
of the goal of bringing a gender perspective to the centre of
all UN efforts in the peace and security sphere. It was hoped
that the design of the Action Plan would allow for monitoring
and accountability for implementation of 1325 at least in relation
to the UN system’s obligations.
Despite progress in implementation being made by various UN entities,
the women, peace and security community has consistently highlighted
the gap in systematic planning, monitoring and reporting of measures
taken to ensure implementation at all levels. An extensive and
far-reaching consultation process; high-level commitment to the
plan; concrete time-lines and targets; and mechanisms for monitoring
and reporting were seen as critical to the success of the Action
Plan. These issues were taken into account at some level in the
preparation of the Action Plan in 2005 – numerous UN entities,
inter-governmental organizations and civil society were consulted;
and it was recommended that implementation be coordinated and
monitored through the UN’s High-level Committee on Programs,
while holding heads of entities and focal points accountable for
implementation at the UN entity level. The 2005 Action Plan is
based on a matrix of recommendations taken from the articles of
1325 and subsequent Security Council Presidential Statements on
women, peace and security, with various UN departments and agencies
providing information regarding their projected activities related
to these articles up to the end of 2007.
This review of the plan was much needed as, even on its release
in 2005, it displayed inherent weaknesses – weaknesses which
reflected and possibly exacerbated some of the obstacles and challenges
related to the implementation of 1325 overall. Examining the Plan
on its release, many commented that it looked more like a laundry
list of activities and proposed activities gathered together than
like a high-level strategic plan for coordinated and coherent
activities to further implementation. The Review implicitly admits
this in that a number of respondents acknowledged that the Action
Plan “was not established as an integrated United Nations
system-wide strategy, but rather as a compilation of activities,
planned by United Nations entities or ongoing, in those areas
for action where expertise and resources were available.”
That is not to say that such a list is not useful. It seemed,
however, to serve the purpose of an “activities audit”
to inform an Action Plan rather than being a Plan in itself. Weaknesses
such as these are, to some extent, revealed in the Review but
are, unfortunately, also carried through.
The Review is focused on: the level of implementation of the
Plan by UN entities; an assessment of institutional capacities;
and ways and means of strengthening 1325 implementation and gender
mainstreaming. In preparing the review, information was sought
on achievements (including good practices) in the major operational
areas of action under the Plan; gaps, challenges and lessons learned
in relation to institutional and organizational capacity to implement
the Plan; and recommendations to address the challenges and accelerate
the implementation of 1325. Again the process of review was consultative
and took place through a comprehensive questionnaire, interviews
and roundtable discussions with a variety of stakeholders. That
only 29 of the 39 entities approached contributed to the review
was noted with regret by a number of Member States during the
2006 Open Debate and is something that, in our view, reduces the
potential effectiveness of the review and the Plan itself.
For the full analysis please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/6thAnniversary/WPS_Action_Plan_review.pdf
For the Secretary-General’s 2006 Report on women,
peace and security, please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/1325/N0653084.pdf
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Reforming the Gender Equality Architecture
of the United Nations
Women’s groups from around the world welcome the recommendations
on strengthening the gender equality architecture of the UN in
the report released November 9, 2006 by the Secretary-General’s
High-Level Panel for UN System-wide Coherence. We urge member
states to adopt these recommendations during the 61st session
of the General Assembly and to set up a process to ensure their
full and timely implementation.
We support the Panel’s proposal to establish an independent
women-specific entity that will combine OSAGI, DAW and UNIFEM,
have both normative and operational responsibilities, be better
resourced, and be led by an Under-Secretary General. These recommendations
are in line with what civil society, and in particular women’s
groups, have been calling for to enable governments and the UN
system to better achieve their goals on gender equality, women’s
empowerment and human rights.
We are pleased that the Panel adopted the recommendation for
a USG to head the new entity, as it will guarantee organizational
stature and a voice for women at the UN decision-making tables.
Women’s groups called for an open, transparent and global
search for a candidate who has substantive expertise in gender
equality and we are pleased that the report includes this recommendation.
We urge that civil society be consulted during this open search
process.
The dual mandate of the new entity, which will include both policy
and country-level functions, will strengthen the effectiveness
of the gender mainstreaming work of other UN agencies, as well
as advance women’s rights directly. For this entity to function
as a driving force throughout the UN system, and for it to better
address women’s experiences at the country level, every
UN Country Team must include senior-level gender equality experts
with adequate resources and support who can lead the team’s
efforts to fulfill and promote UN and government commitments to
women’s human rights.
A strong and well-resourced institutional accountability mechanism
that enables women’s participation and addresses women’s
rights in activities at the country level was one of the critical
needs presented to the Coherence Panel.
The time to show support for a reformed and strengthened women’s
entity is now. Women’s groups urge governments to demonstrate
political will during the General Assembly by endorsing the Coherence
Panel’s recommendations on creating a stronger gender equality
architecture at the UN, and by establishing and adhering to a
process and time frame for implementation.
Signatories (as of 08 November 2006)
Association of Women’s
NGOs of Uzbekistan
Action Canada for Population and Development
Advocates for Youth
African Women's Development Fund
Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), Bangladesh
Amnesty International
Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD)
Asia Pacific Women's Watch
Asociacion Chilena de Proteccion de la Familia (APROFA), Chile
Asociación Panameña para el Planeamiento de
la Familia, Panama
Associazione Italiana Donne per lo Sviluppo (AIDOS), Italy
Australian Reproductive Health Alliance
AWID
Baha'i International
Bem-Estar Familiar no Brasil (BEMFAM), Brazil
Canadian Union of Public Employees
Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir, Mexico
Center for Reproductive Rights
Center for Women's Global Leadership (CWGL)
Centre for Policy Research and Analysis (CPRA), Nepal
CEPIA- Cidadania Estudos Pequisa Informaçao Açao,
Brazil
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women Asia Pacific
Communication Foundation for Asia
Concertación Interamericana de Mujeres Activistas (CIMA),
Costa Rica
DAWN
El Closet de Sor Juana, Mexico
Equality Now
Feminist Caucus of the American Humanist Association
Feminist League, Kazakhstan
Foro de Mujeres y Política de Población, Mexico
Fundacion Arcoiris, Mexico
Fundacion Mexicana para la Planeacion Familiar (MEXFAM), Mexico
Fundacion para Estudio e Investigacion de la Mujer (FEIM),
Argentina
Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute, The Philippines
Global Fund for Women
Indonesian Cener For Women in Politics (ICWIP)
INFORM, Sri Lanka
Institute for Reproductive Health, The Philippines
Instituto de Estudios Comparados en Ciencias Penales y Sociales,
Argentina
International Center for Research on Women
International Indigenous Women's Forum (FIMI)
International Planned Parenthood Federation - Western Hemisphere
Region (IPPF-WHR)
International Women's Health Coalition
International Women's Rights Action Watch - Asia Pacific
|
IPAS
Isis International
Japan Women's Watch
K.U.L.U. Women and Development, Denmark
Korea Women's Political Caucus
Kvinna till Kvinna, Sweden
MADRE
Mujer y Salud en Uruguay (MYSU)
Mulabi- Espacio Latinoamericano de Sexualidades y Derechos,
Argentina
Network of Women in Politics, Indonesia
New Zealand Council for International Development
New Zealand Family Planning Association
North East Network, IndiaNorwegian Network for Women and the
UN
Oxfam International
Public Services International
Radio Internacional Feminsita (FIRE)
Red de Salud de las Mujeres Latinoamericanas y del Caribe
(RSMLAC)
Red por los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos en México
REDESS Jovenes, Peru
Rights & Democracy - Droits et Démocratie, Canada
Riverdale Immigrant Women's Centre, Toronto, Canada
Rozan, Pakistan
Saathi - South Asia
Shirkat Gah-Women's Resource Center, Pakistan
South Asia Forum of Professionals Against Trafficking (SAPAT)
SouthEast Asia Women Watch (SEAWWatch)
Temiksaming Native Women's Support Group, Canada
Thai Women Watch
The Open Society Institute
Toronto Women's Call to Action, Canada
Transition House Association of Nova Scotia, Canada
UNIFEM/USA
WOMANKIND Worldwide
Women & Environments International Magazine -- Editorial
Board, Canada
Women for Change, Zambia
Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF)
Women in Peacebuilding Network -- Africa (WIPNET-A)
Women’s Rights Division of Human Rights Watch
Women's Advocacy Coalition, Vanuatu
Women's Edge Coalition
Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO)
Women's Feature Service Philippines
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
World Population Foundation
Yellowknife Women's Society, Canada
Yukon Status of Women Council
|
To sign on please contact Lexi Lenton, Women’s Environment
& Development Organization (WEDO) (lexil@wedo.org)
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PeaceWomen 1325 Security Council
Monitor: Resolution Watch
This 1325 Security Council Monitor is a PeaceWomen Project initiative
that seeks to monitor the Security Council’s efforts to
incorporate Resolution 1325 in its work. Resolution Watch is a
compilation of language dealing with women and gender in the Council’s
resolutions addressing all current and upcoming peacekeeping operations
since the adoption of Resolution 1325. The first part is language
across 18 specific women, peace and security themes addressed
in 1325. The second examines resolutions by country. It shows
the thematic areas and countries in which incorporation of 1325’s
provisions has been slow or where language is weak; provides examples
of the language the Council uses to address the issues; and highlights
gaps and weaknesses. It is provided as a resource and advocacy
tool for those working in particular women, peace and security
focus areas or in relation to particular country situations. It
will hopefully also provide incentive for the Council to accelerate
its efforts.
The online version of this tool includes cross-referenced links
from country resolutions to the themes with which the language
deals; and links to the resolutions from which extracts are taken,
the relevant articles of 1325, and a host of related thematic
resources.
PDF and full on-line version available at: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/1325_Monitor/index.htm
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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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Isha L’Isha, Haifa Feminist
Center: Response to Israel’s Statement at Open Debate on
Women, Peace & Security
October, 2006
Isha L’Isha-the Haifa Feminist Center, was established
in 1983 and is the most veteran, grassroots feminist organization
in Israel, and its leading voice for women’s rights. The
implementation of UN Resolution 1325 has been a central activity
for us since 2003, and our project has brought the resolution
to the public's attention, and introduced gender mainstreaming
about the violent conflict into the public discourse. Our work
provides a gender perspective of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
by promoting women to be represented on negotiating teams, and
by strengthening the voices of women and calling attention to
their unique needs and roles.
In October 2006, at the Security Council Open Debate on women,
peace and security, nation states were allowed the opportunity
to present their past achievements in promoting resolution 1325.
When we found out that Isha L'Isha was mentioned at the event,
we were delighted that our project was showcased at the UN. However,
when we read the statement, we were shocked and dismayed. The
official representative of the state of Israel positioned our
organization as a government project, taking credit for our dedicated,
hardworking efforts, as if to imply that our achievements belong
to the state and its institutions.
For the full statement please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/campaigns/Israel/2006_OD_response.html
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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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Peacebuilding
Commission: Report Of Country-Specific Meetings On Burundi And
Sierra Leone
October 12 -13, 2006
On October 12th and 13th 2006, the new UN Peacebuilding Commission
(PBC) held its first two country specific meetings focused on
the processes of post-conflict reconstruction in Sierra Leone
and Burundi. Participants at the consultations included representatives
of the Sierra Leone and Burundi governments, members of the Commission’s
organizational committee, the World Bank, IMF and other donors,
regional organizations such as the African Union, neighboring
countries, and Representatives of the Secretary General in the
two countries. Also in attendance were representatives of civil
society coalitions in the two countries.
For the full report please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/women_reform/PBC/country_specific_Oct06.html
For the Chairman’s summary of the PBC meeting on
Sierra Leone, please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/women_reform/PBC/Chair_summary_SL.pdf
For the Chairman’s summary of the PBC meeting on
Burundi, please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/women_reform/PBC/Chair_summary_Burundi.pdf
The potential role of civil society in the PBC's work in Burundi
and Sierra Leone was also the focus of an informal meeting between
members of the Commission and a number of Non-governmental Organizations,
held on October 11, 2006.
For a summary of the recommendations made by NGOs during
this meeting, please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/women_reform/PBC/NGO_recommendations.pdf
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8.GENDER
AND PEACEKEEPING UPDATE |
Peacekeeping Watch: news &
resources
Women
Want More Leadership Roles In UN Peacekeeping Missions
31 October 2006 (Voice of America) Today (October 31st) is the
sixth anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on
Women Peace and Security. Adopted in 2000, the resolution deals
with the role of women in peacekeeping and peace building. One
of the largest UN peacekeeping operations to date is in Africa.
Uganda-born Rachel Mayanja is the special advisor to UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan on gender issues and advancement of women.
She tells VOA English to Africa reporter James Butty that women
are underrepresented at all levels of UN peace support operations.
A
Review and Evaluation of Gender-Related Activities of UN Peacekeeping
Operations and their Impact on Gender Relations in Timor Leste
Department of Peacekeeping Operations July 2006
This report is the result of an evaluation on the gender impacts
of the UN peacekeeping missions in Timor Leste, mandated by
the DPKO Headquarters in October 2005, under the direction of
the Gender Unit. The evaluation was informed by qualitative
interviews and an extensive desk review of relevant documents
produced by UNTAET, UNMISET, the multi- and bi-lateral agencies,
the Government and NGOs.
Evaluation
of Gender Mainstreaming Work and impact of United Nations Assistance
Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL)
Department of Peacekeeping Operations April 2006
This report is an evaluation of UNAMSIL’s gender mainstreaming
work and impact. It is based on qualitative and quantitative
data and insights, generated (October and November 2005) from
face-to-face interviews of a sample of UNAMSIL staff, local
stakeholders as well as representatives of other UN bodies,
in addition to desk research.
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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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New Report: SCR 1325 and the Peacebuilding
Commission
The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has released
a 6 Years On Report on SCR 1325 and the Peacebuilding Commission.
The report examines the recent establishment of the Peacebuilding
Commission (a body intended to advise and propose integrated peacebuilding,
development and reconstruction strategies for countries emerging
from violent conflict), its structure, mandate and obligation
to implement SCR 1325 in the achievement of durable peace and
development.
For the full report please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/6thAnniversary/Reports_Events/NGOWG_Report.pdf
To be mailed a copy of the report, please send an e-mail to Info@womenpeacesecurty.org.
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The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace
and Security (NGOWG) was established in May 2000 to call for a
United Nations Security Council resolution on women, peace and
security. Following the unanimous adoption of resolution 1325
in October 2000, the group began the difficult work of pressing
for its full implementation. The NGOWG currently consists of Amnesty
International, Femmes Africa Solidarité, Gender and Security
International Research Network, Hague Appeal for Peace, International
Alert, International Women’s Tribune Center, Women’s
Action for New Directions, the Women’s Commission for Refugee
Women and Children, Women’s Division of General Board of
Global Ministries, United Methodist Church, Women’s Environment
and Development Organization, and Women’s International
League for Peace and Freedom.
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For more information about the NGOWG, CLICK
HERE.
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Uganda Civil Society Women’s
Peace Coalition: A Voice for Women in Juba Peace Negotiations
In an unprecedented move for organizations in Uganda and under
the guidance of SCR 1325 and the Solemn Declaration on Gender
Equality in Africa (2004), five women’s organizations with
UNIFEM’s support and under the leadership of the Uganda
Women’s Network (UWONET) came together as a Civil Society
Women’s Peace Coalition to jointly advocate for increased
visibility and voice for women in the peace negotiations taking
place in Juba. Between July and October 2006, the women’s
movement began to mobilize in solidarity with the women of northern
Uganda, working to build national momentum for peace. Three themes
have featured prominently in this area: consultations with the
women of northern Uganda to gather their views on the ongoing
peace talks and the substantive issues contained therein, how
conflict has impacted them as women, and how they see themselves
contributing to peacebuilding. Substantial advocacy is currently
underway to build national-level momentum to support women’s
engagement at the peace table.
Among the activities undertaken were the arrival of a Women’s
Peace Torch in Uganda, and the organization of a Women’s
Peace Caravan to carry the Torch from Kampala to Juba. The Women’s
Peace Torch arrived in Kampala on October 27th for the launch
of the Women’s Peace Caravan, demonstrating regional and
global solidarity for peace in Uganda. The Torch traveled to more
than 10 countries in preparation for the Fourth World Conference
on Women in Beijing, to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe
and South Africa in 2003 with the message that “there is
no sustainable development without peace”, to DRC during
the review of the Dakar Platform for Action. Finally, the Women’
Peace Torch returned to Uganda in 2006 to light the path of enduring
peace.
The Women’s Peace Torch was brought to Uganda by women
leaders from Kenya and Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda, Regional Programme
Director of the East and Horn of Africa office of the United Nations
Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). At the launch of the Women’s
Peace Caravan the Torch was lit by women leader and presented
to the Honorable Minister of State for Gender Honorable Lukia
Nakadama then entrusted to the Parliament of Uganda. The momentous
handover took place following a march through the streets of Kampala
to the steps of Parliament. It was there that Uganda civil society
and the Kenyan delegation were received by the Uganda Women Parliamentary
Association (UWOPA), the Deputy Speaker Honorable Rebecca Kadaga
and the Speaker Honorable Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi. Following
a moving statement from UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador Honorable Phoebe
Asiyo the Torch was placed in the lobby of Parliament with a solidarity
book for signatures of all those committed to calling for peace
in Uganda.
The Peace Torch began a 5-day journey of solidarity to Juba on
Wednesday November 8th with the Civil Society Women’s Peace
Coalition and members of the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association
(UWOPA), crossing Uganda from Kampala to Kitgum to show solidarity
for peace in Uganda under the theme “Women of Uganda Want
Peace and Peace Needs Women.”
The Caravan will include stopovers in Luwero, Bweyale, and Gulu,
and will involve communities from Lira, Soroti, Yumbe and Kasese.
The Caravan will culminate in Kitgum for a one-day Women’s
Peace Camp involving members of all the communities the Caravan
has passed trough.
For more detail about recent UNIFEM activities in Uganda, see:
http://www.unifem.org/news_events/story_detail.php?StoryID=530
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UNIFEM’s Web Portal on Women, Peace and Security, CLICK
HERE
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11.
WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY CALENDAR |
16 Days of Activism Against
Gender Violence
25 November- 10 December 2006, Center for Women's Global Leadership
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international
campaign originating from the first Women's Global Leadership
Institute sponsored by the Center for Women's Global Leadership
in 1991. Participants chose the dates, November 25, International
Day Against Violence Against Women and December 10, International
Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against
women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is
a violation of human rights.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.cwgl.rutgers.edu/16days/home.html
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Claiming Our Rights, Defending Our Future,
Celebrating 16 Years of 16 Days of Activism
December 07, 2006, Church Center at the UN, New York
Center for Women's Global Leadership joins women’s rights
activists throughout the world in marking the 16th anniversary
of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign, which
runs from 25 Nove mber to 10 December. The theme of this year’s
16 Days Campaign is Advance Human Rights End Violence Against
Women.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/frame/calendar/fliers/Draft16DaysSavetheDate06.pdf
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Women's Voices Illuminating Cultures
in Conflict
November 28, 2006, New York State Writers Institute, Albany, New
York.
A series of readings and discussions at the University at Albany.
Yvette Christianse, South African novelist and poet, will read
from her epic novel about slavery in Africa, "Unconfessed"
(2006), on Tuesday, November 28. The event is free and open to
the public.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.eisinc.com/release/storiesh/WRINST.607.html
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UN Documentary Film Festival
December 2, 2006, National Film Theatre, London, U.K.
United Nations Association - Westminster
The U.K's first ever UN Documentary Film Festival to be screened
at an all-day marathon. Winners from the second New York UN Documentary
Film Festival "Stories from the Field" will be screened.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.unawestminster.org.uk/
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Peacekeeping, Reconstruction and Stability
Operations 2006
4-6 December 2006, International Quality & Productivity Center,
Brussels, Belgium
The focus of this conference will be on peace support, developmental,
humanitarian and civilian peacekeeping, peacebuilding operations,
civil military integration, safety and security issues from a
defence and a humanitarian perspective. IQPC’s Peacekeeping
Conference will bring together national parliaments from European,
African and US countries, representatives of governments, and
the military from all three continents and international and non-governmental
organisations. The conference will provide an opportunity for
detailed discussion of past and present joint operations and coherent
integration in Africa.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.defenceiq.co.za/cgi-bin/templates/genevent.html?topic=228&event=11130&
To Download information, please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/frame/calendar/Peacekeeping.pdf
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Whither GAD? Gender and Development in
a New Age of International Security
5 December 2006, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The Joint Chair in Women's Studies for Carleton University and
the University of Ottawa (JCWS) and The Canadian Association for
the Study of International Development (CASID) are organizing
a one-day symposium which will explore the growing linkages between
national security concerns and foreign aid spending, from the
perspective of the impact on women in developing countries.
Abstracts of up to 200 words are invited from interested speakers.
These should be sent to Hélène Boudreault, hboudre@uottawa.ca,
by October 15, 2006.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/frame/calendar/events/Gender&Development.html
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For the complete calendar, visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/frame/calendar/calendar.html
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For the complete calendar, CLICK
HERE.
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