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1325 PEACEWOMEN E-NEWS
Issue #13
15 November 2002
Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace
and Security was passed on October 31st, 2000. For the text of the
resolution please visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/1325.html
This edition of the 1325 PeaceWomen E-News Features:
1. 1325 News for PeaceWomen
2. Feature Report: North and South Korean Women’s
Reunification Rally
3. Feature Analysis: Recommendations from Members
of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security to the International
Conference "Building Capacities for Peacekeeping and Women’s
Dimensions in Peace Processes" in Santiago, Chile
4. Feature Statement: Peacewomen in Fiji on
2nd Anniversary of Resolution 1325
5. Feature Contact for PeaceWomen: Women’s
Initiative for Peace, Greece-Turkey
6. Resource for PeaceWomen: Throwing the Stick
Forward: the Impact of War on Southern Sudanese Women
7. Calendar Events for PeaceWomen
Evaluation of 1325 PeaceWomen E-News: Please write to 1325news@peacewomen.org
and we will send you the evaluation document.
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1. 1325 NEWS FOR PEACEWOMEN
UNIFEM Women, War and Peace Independent Study Now Available
Women, War and Peace: The Independent Experts’ Assessment on
the Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Women’s Role in Peace-building,
by Elisabeth Rehn and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is now available online.
The 10 chapters of the study address a variety of issues, including
violence against women, war and health of women, HIV/AIDS, media
power, and reconstruction. In addition, there are recommendations
by chapter focusing on finding ways to protect and empower women.
To read the UNIFEM study, go to: http://www.unifem.undp.org/resources/assessment/index.html
Clarification: Secretary-General’s Study and Report on Women,
Peace and Security
In the last issue of the newsletter, we mentioned the release of
the Secretary-General’s report Women, Peace and Security, submitted
by the Secretary-General to the Security Council during the Open
Debate on Women, Peace and Security, on October 28th. The report
is based on the findings of the in depth study Women, Peace and
Security, which was mandated by Resolution 1325 (2000) and was coordinated
by the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women
in cooperation with the Inter-agency Taskforce on Women, Peace and
Security. The study includes over 60 recommendations for further
actions to ensure greater attention to gender perspectives in peace
and security areas of work.
To read the study, visit: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/DAW/public/eWPS.pdf
The study can also be ordered online at: http://www.un.org/Pubs/whatsnew/e03009.htm
Jordan’s Queen, UNICEF Head Call For Equality At Amman Meeting
November 4, 2002 - The 2nd Arab Women's Summit opened yesterday
in Amman, Jordan, with the country's Queen Rania calling on Arab
women to build bridges across national boundaries. The queen stressed
the importance of combating stereotypes of Arab women, one of the
conference’s main goals. For the full report, visit:
http://unf-staging.groupstone.com/unwire/util/display_stories.asp?objid=30103
Arab women attending the summit have launched a campaign that would
push Arab governments to adopt a civil rights tool to help the disenfranchised:
quotas – in this case, for women seeking to enter Parliament.
For the full story, go to the Christian Science Monitor at: http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/1106/p07s01-wome.html
Feminist Africa (FA) - A New Electronic Journal
November 7, 2002 - Feminist Africa is a new electronic publication
that provides a platform for “cutting-edge, informative and
provocative gender work attuned to African agendas. As the first
journal on gender with a continental focus, it provides a forum
for the publication and dissemination of high quality feminist scholarship
in African contexts.” From Pambazuka News (Issue 87). Visit
the journal at: http://www.feministafrica.org/
UNDP Supports Government Project On Health, Domestic Violence
November 7, 2002 - The UN Development Program is supporting a $17
million government initiative to raise awareness in Mexico about
women's health, improve detection and prevention of domestic violence
and incorporate a gender perspective in health research, the UN
agency said yesterday. For the full story on UN Wire visit:
http://unf-staging.groupstone.com/unwire/util/display_stories.asp?objid=30168
1325 Anniversary Events in Canada
November 7, 2002 - Beth Woroniuk, a member of the Gender and Peacebuilding
Working Group of the Canadian Committee on Women, Peace and Security
has written about two events that took place in Ottawa to mark the
second anniversary of the adoption of Resolution 1325. To read her
overview of the events, go to: http://www.peacewomen.org/news/november/1325Canadaevents.html
“Building Capacities for Peacekeeping and Women’s Dimensions
in Peace Processes” Conference
November 4-5, 2002 – A conference on “Building Capacities
for Peacekeeping and Women’s Dimensions in Peace Processes,"
an initiative of the Governments of Chile and Denmark, on behalf
of the European Union, recently concluded in Santiago, Chile. The
purpose of the conference was to “increase the cooperation
between both regions by exchanging ideas concerning the role of
women in peace processes and peace operations.” Participants
included United Nations, military and police personnel as well as
government and NGO experts on women and peacekeeping issues. Members
of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security were among
the participants. For more information about the conference, a website
has been created at: http://www.geocities.com/womenpeacekeeping/.
Women Waging Peace Colloquium
November 2-8, 2002 - The Fourth Annual Women Waging Peace Colloquium
(November 2-8th) heard a keynote address on "Gender and Disarmament"
from UN Under-Secretary General for Disarmament Affairs Jayantha
Dhanapala on November 8th. Mr. Dhanapala observed that "Extraordinary
events have been taking place at the United Nations - events that
should be of great interest to all who care about gender equality,
disarmament, and the surprisingly close relationship that exists
between them." In discussing Resolution 1325 he said "Some
might say it helped to inaugurate a new era of 'results-based' gender
equality in the UN system and, one hopes, among the individual member
states as well." For the full text of the Under-Secretary-General's
address see: http://www.womenwagingpeace.net/content/policyinitiatives/policyday/polday02/keynote.asp
or http://disarmament.un.org/speech/08nov2002.htm
For More News please see:
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/newsindex.html
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2. FEATURE REPORT: North
and South Korean Women's Reunification Rally
From October 16th to 17th, women from North and South Korea held
a Women's Unification Rally for Peace and the Implementation of
the June 15th Joint Declaration at Mount Kumgang (North). This was
the first large women's meeting between South and North since the
division of Korea. 350 women from South Korea and 300 women form
North Korea together produced a Joint Resolution from the North
and South Korean Women's Reunification Rally for Peace and the Implementation
of the June 15th Joint Declaration. We have included the Joint Resolution
below:
Today women representatives from North Korea, South Korea, and overseas
have gathered here at Gumgang Mountain for the first ever Women's
Reunification Rally, full of our desire and will for the unification
of Korea. While representatives participated in Women's Conference
for Implementation of the June 15th Joint Declaration and Peace
through sectoral meetings, joint artistic performances, recreational
competitions, arts and crafts exhibitions, and other diverse events,
we sincerely realized the vitality of the June 15th
Declaration and the urgency for peace and the reunification of our
nation. Recognizing the importance of the responsibility and role
of women in the resolution of national and reunification issues,
we have made the following resolutions in our desire for all women
to unite strongly in the understanding of the June 15th Declaration,
and that peace and reunification be realized.
1. Women's groups from North Korean, South Korean, and overseas
Korean populations, with renewed hope and belief, will be actively
involved in reunification movements so that the June 15th declaration
may be fulfilled. The June 15th Joint Declaration has made clear
the path for national reunification.
-North Korean, South Korean, and groups of overseas Koreans will
actively support the June 15th Declaration and will play the leading
role in the reunification movement.
-No matter what the circumstances are before us, North Korean, South
Korean, and groups of overseas women will hold on to the basic spirit
of and will reject all opposition to the June 15th Joint Declaration.
2. North Korean, South Korean, and overseas representatives will
make every effort to prevent a new war and to build peace and security
on the Korean peninsula.
- The peace and security of Korea is important for the destiny of
this nation and is vital in all of our daily lives.
-North Korean, South Korean, and overseas representatives will not
accept any pretense for war, and will unite to keep the country
peaceful and safe.
-North Korean, South Korean, and overseas representatives will strengthen
the international cooperation with women in the world, and concentrate
the peaceful strength of women all over the world so that there
will be no more pain, suffering, or war in this land.
3. North Korean, South Korean, and overseas women's groups will
actively pursue cooperation and unity between women so that peace
and reunification come sooner in this land.
-The unity among North Korean, South Korean, and overseas women's
groups is an important means of ensuring enforcement of the June
15th Declaration.
-North Korean, South Korean, and overseas women's groups will strengthen
solidarity and unity under the June 15th Declaration, join the strength
and voices of women in the process of reunification movement, and
work for the continuation of the North South Women's Reunification
Rally for above purposes.
-North Korean, South Korean, and overseas Korean women will further
promote cooperation, exchanges, contacts, and dialogues between
women's groups and individuals, helpful for the joint prosperity
and reunification of our nation.
4. North Korean, South Korean, and overseas Korean women will make
every effort to establish a framework for a unified society with
gender equality.
-The equal participation of women in the process of reunification
meets the absolute need of the resolution of national and reunification
issues and in the realization of gender equality in a unified society.
-North Korean, South Korean, and groups of overseas Korean women
will make sure that women, who make up half of this nation, fulfill
their responsibilities and roles along with men in the resolution
of national and reunification issues.
-North Korean, South Korean, and groups of overseas Korean women
will work in cooperation, and will join the strength and voices
of women to participate equally with men in every process of reunification,
so that a unified society with gender equality can be realized.
For more information, contact Gyung-Lan Jung of Women Making Peace
at: humanrights@korea.com
To read this report online, go to: http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/voices/declar/NorthandSouthKorea.html
For a comprehensive annotated bibliography of books, articles and
analyses on women's peace theory and activities, as well as NGO
position papers, reports, speeches, statements and tools for organizational
building, please go to: http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/resindex.html
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3. FEATURE ANALYSIS:
Recommendations from the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and
Security to the International Conference "Building Capacities
for Peacekeeping and Women’s Dimensions in Peace Processes"
From November 4th to 5th, the governments of Chile and Denmark,
on behalf of the European Union, co-sponsored a conference "Building
Capacities for Peacekeeping and Women’s Dimensions in Peace
Processes" that was held in Santiago, Chile. According to the
organizers, the purpose of the conference was to “increase
the cooperation between both regions by exchanging ideas concerning
the role of women in peace processes and peace operations.”
Participants included United Nations, military and police personnel,
mostly women, and government and NGO experts. Presentations covered
issues such as gender equality in post-conflict reconstruction,
problems faced by women in armed conflicts and the reach of international
instruments to protect them, and women’s participation in peacekeeping
forces. A website, in both Spanish and English, has been created
for the conference which includes links to all of the presentations,
a list of the speakers, and useful background information, including
a link to Resolution 1325. A report of the conference is currently
being written and will be available on the website in the near future.
Conference website: http://www.geocities.com/womenpeacekeeping/
Members of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security, the
only NGO representatives, participated in the conference and submitted
a list of eight recommendations which we have included below and
which are also included on the website.
Santiago, Chile, 4-5 November 2002
1. Maintain a network of participants for sharing relevant information
and gender mainstreaming resources via email and internet
2. Integrate the human security agenda with the promotion of gender
mainstreaming, awareness and action through, inter alia, attention
to participation of women and quotas.
3. Regional approaches to identify strategies for implementation
of Resolution 1325.
4. The establishment of a properly resourced high level Gender Unit
within the Department for Peacekeeping Operations to coordinate
and support the work of Senior Gender Advisors in all field missions.
5. The development of mechanisms for systematic Security Council
interface with civil society.
(Such as the initiation of a sub-committee on Women, Peace and Security
to develop and monitor a timed action plan for implementation of
1325. As suggested by member states at the Arria Formula. This might
also involve the development of resource lists, fact sheets and
a database of women’s organizations in focus regions of the
Security Council including inputs from NGOs. In the current context
of the escalating tension and conflict in the Middle East and Iraq
we note with concern that there has been no mention of consultation
with women’s organizations in these contexts.)
6. The introduction of Women, Peace and Security as a six monthly
item on the Security Council agenda to monitor implementation of
1325.
7. Evaluation of Contribution Agreements and Status of Forces Agreements
to ensure gender mainstreaming into such agreements, e.g. to ensure
mechanisms of securing paternal child support obligations and responsibilities
and attention to associated health needs of women in host countries
with increased health risks.
8. Evaluation and updating of military codes and practices to ensure
adherence to existing international humanitarian law standards with
respect sexual and gender violence.
For a comprehensive annotated bibliography of books, articles and
analyses on women's peace theory and activities, as well as NGO
position papers, reports, speeches, statements and tools for organizational
building, please go to: http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/resindex.html
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4. FEATURE STATEMENT:
Women Peacebuilders in Fiji Commemorate Second Anniversary of Resolution
1325
On October 31st, women from the National Council of Women Fiji
(NCWF) joined St. Anne’s Primary School for their Peace Day
celebrations. Sharon Bhagwan, who spoke on behalf of NCWF, paid
special attention to the 2nd anniversary of Resolution 1325 in her
address to the primary school students. We have included her speech
below:
Good Morning. First of all may I thank Sister Wendt, Mrs Tabutabu
and all of you for welcoming the National Council of Women Fiji
and our members and friends to be part of this wonderful commemoration
of today. Today is a very special day for us, as women's NGOs and
women-peacebuilders because we are remembering or commemorating
that the UN through its Security Council, 2 years ago today, signed
UN Security Council Resolution 1325 titled Women, Peace and Security,
which means that at the highest global decision-making level, women,
in the many roles that we play as daughters, wives, mothers and
even, grandmothers, are being recognized for the important role
we play, and can play in ensuring peace. The resolution is also
an acknowledgement of all the women, across the world, who have
been working for peace in their countries, just as women, from all
faiths, came together during the Blue Ribbon Peace Vigil in 2000
here in Suva, and today continue to work and pray for peace in our
country. In our own pacific island region, we also remember our
sisters in Papua New Guinea/Bouganville, Solomon Islands, West Papua
and other countries who are also working for Peace.
At a global level, as we hear through the news,
with all the discussions and debates currently highlighting the
very important need for Global Peace. It is a time for leaders worldwide
to review just how far they have come in 'making good' on their
commitment to ensuring the women's perspective and presence at all
levels of peace building and also in addressing Security issues.
When the women's perspective is included - we know that it includes
issues for her family, her neighbours and community and her country.
So what better way to commemorate today, than to do so with you,
young women and your teachers, who are showing a dedication and
commitment to peace. You are our future and we are very proud to
be able to share your initiatives. Here in Fiji, especially in Suva,
we can all remember the sad events of 2000, most recently, which
has affected everyone. And as the NCWFiji, we feel that we have
a very important responsibility, to make sure we do not face another
situation like May 19th, because we know just how many families
and children, are still recovering from what happened 2 years ago,
because there is no 'quick fix' or magic wand, that will make it
all disappear. Working for Peace is not easy, but it is very important.
It means, that we are working to ensure that in our country, we
are showing an interest or a commitment to not just think about
or look after ourselves, but also our neighbor, families and groups
who may not be as well-off or fortunate as us.
We are listening and learning to understand the different communities
that together make up the one family that we belong to as Fiji Islands,
because we are thinking about everyone's needs. And when we have
peace in our communities, in our country, our government - our leaders,
are able to concentrate on making good development decisions about
issues like education, health and the environment. When there is
peace, it means people have been working together to discuss problems
that our country or our community may be facing. When there is peace,
it also means that families are also talking about things that affect
them and working together to work through whatever problems they
maybe facing. So Peace is everyone's responsibility - we are all
instruments of Peace. So thank you once again, for welcoming us
into your commemoration of Peace, and we hope that as you grow up,
you will continue the work that our mother and grandmothers have
begun, to ensure that the Fiji Islands, once again will be a country
that is truly a peaceful paradise.
Vinaka-Shukria, Peace
To read this statement online, go to: http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/voices/declar/FijiRes1325.html
For a comprehensive annotated bibliography of books, articles and
analyses on women's peace theory and activities, as well as NGO
position papers, reports, speeches, statements and tools for organisational
building. Please go to: http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/resindex.html
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5. FEATURE CONTACT FOR
PEACEWOMEN:
Women’s Initiative for Peace, Greece-Turkey
(WINPEACE)
Launched by women from Greece and Turkey in July 1997, WINPEACE’
aims include taking joint action in building a culture of peace
and enhancing women’s role in conflict resolution, developing
non-violent solutions to problems and tensions, and urging the Greek
and Turkish governments to reduce their military budgets. According
to WINPEACE, “we appeal to all women in both nations to join
hands in this effort to know each other, to develop harmonious relations
to nourish peaceful ideas, to produce non-violent actions.”
Their planned projects include a diversity of activities:
-Organize seminars and summer-schools for young people on human
rights education and the peaceful resolution of conflicts
-Establish a WINPEACE website to facilitate correspondence between
the young people of the two countries
-Organize a series of conferences between women politicians from
Greece and Turkey
WINPEACE
KEDE Office (Center for Research and Action on Peace)
124B Vas. Sofias Avenue
GR 115 26 Athens
Greece
http://www.geocities.com/win_peace/win0.html
For more information, call 30-210-77-57-121, fax 30-210-77-51-170,
or email kedewinpeace@ath.forthnet.gr
For an extensive database of organizations worldwide working on
women and peace issues, go to: http://www.peacewomen.org/contacts/conindex.html
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6.. RESOURCES FOR PEACEWOMEN
Throwing the Stick Forward: the Impact of War on Southern
Sudanese Women
Mary Anne Fitzgerald
A report published by Operation Lifeline Sudan (UN umbrella body
that coordinates UN humanitarian agencies and NGOs involved in relief
work in disputed regions of southern Sudan) and sponsored by UNICEF
and UNIFEM.
Anne Fitzgerald chronicles the hardships southern Sudanese women
face in the civil war that has rampaged Sudan for the past 19 years.
Although women in Sudan have suffered some of the worst forms of
abuse, and although women traditionally are peacemakers in many
communities in southern Sudan, there are very few women involved
in the official peace process. Fitzgerald does not focus solely
on the victimization of women and poor representation of women at
the peace table, but also looks for a way forward for Sudanese women
in the south. According to Fitzgerald, women have been and could
again be a positive force for improvement, but they face many obstacles.
An extensive overview of Throwing the Stick Forward, and
the report in PDF form, can be found on the website of Operation
Lifeline Sudan at: http://www.olssudan.org/
For a comprehensive annotated bibliography of books, articles on
and analyses of women's peace theories and activities, as well as
NGO position papers, reports, speeches, statements and tools for
organisational building, go to: http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/resindex.html
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7. CALENDAR EVENTS FOR
PEACEWOMEN
Ongoing Women's Peace Vigil at the White House
November 17, 2002 - Washington, DC
Join prominent women and women’s organizations across the country
for this historic peace vigil in front of the White House on Sunday,
November 17. This is an ongoing peace vigil that will continue through
March 8, International Women’s Day, and culminate in a massive
women’s peace march. For more information, contact:
women@unitedforpeace.org
or call Kristi Laughlin at 415/255-7291
“Not a Minute More: A Call to the World to End Violence
Against Women
November 25, 1-2:30, Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium, UN
UNIFEM is hosting a special event to commemorate UN-designated International
Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Participants
will include Eve Ensler, Playwright and Artistic Director/Founder
of V-Day, Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Director of UNIFEM, and many
others. UNIFEM is expecting 100-200 attendees including government
delegates, representatives of NGOs and civil society groups, UN
officials, as well as experts on the issue of gender-based violence.
For more information, visit UNIFEM’s website at: http://www.unifem.undp.org/newsroom/events/november_25th.html
Eastern and Southern African Young Women’s Symposium on
HIV/AIDS: Announcement And Call For Papers
November 27-29, Nairobi
Recognizing that HIV/AIDS has a differential impact on young women
and men, the Eastern and Southern African Young Women’s symposium
on HIV/AIDS is expected to bring together young women from academic
institutions in the region, gender-based organizations, NGOs, Donors
and governments to reflect on the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic
on young women and to design strategies for greater practical action
to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS among young women. This symposium
will coincide with World AIDS Day celebrations. The event is being
organized by Strategic Initiatives for Development (STRIDE) and
the Kenya Oral Literature Association in preparation for the 2nd
International Youth/ Students Conference on AIDS (IYSCA 2003). For
more information, contact W. Kaikai at 254-02-245311, or email kola@todays.co.ke
or strideve@hotmail.com.
Over there and Over here: A One-Day Seminar on Working with Immigrant
and Refugee Adolescent Girls
November 28, 2002, Center for Developing Area Studies, McGill University,
Montreal
This seminar is organized by the Gender and Human Security Issues
(GHSI) Project (Centre for Developing Areas Studies of McGill University
and the Centre des Femmes de Montréal) in collaboration with
the McGill-based Girlhood Studies Research Group. According to the
organizers, the purpose of this one-day seminar is to bring together
a “’possible community’ of individuals and organizations
interested in immigrant and refugee adolescent girls, as well as
girls themselves, to look at topics and themes of interest and concern
to them, and to explore the possible connections between policies
and practices related to the girl-child in development ‘over
there’ contexts, and work with girls ‘over here’.”
For more details please contact Jackie Kirk: jackie.kirk@mail.mcgill.ca,
call (514)-398-1318, or visit: http://www.gesh-ghsi.mcgill.ca/index_e/index_e.htm
For more calendar events please visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/frame/calendar/calendar.html
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