Reconstruction and Peacebuilding

The Reconstruction and Peacebuilding theme focuses on the application of a gender perspective to peacebuilding. The response of local, national, and international systems to women’s priorities in post-conflict situations can significantly impact stability and development.

The realisation of women’s right to full participation in preventing, resolving and recovering from conflict, is critical to building sustainable peace and the fulfilment of human security. Furthermore, the response of local, national and international systems to women’s priorities in post-conflict situations, can significantly impacts the stability and development of communities.

The engagement of women in early stages of peacemaking can increase gender analysis in post-conflict planning, lead to improved outcomes for women, and enhance their capacity to participate in longer-term peacebuilding. However, women’s rights and concerns should not be dependent on the presence of women in peace processes. Systems must be in place to ensure their inclusion is standard operating procedure.

In SCR 1325, the Security Council recognises that addressing the unique needs of women and girls during post-conflict reconstruction requires integrating a gender perspective at all stages (1325,OP8). The Security Council acknowledges the need to counter negative societal attitudes regarding women’s equal capacity for involvement, and calls for the promotion of women’s leadership and support for women’s organizations (1889,OP1). In addition, the Security Council requests training on the protection, rights and needs of women in all peacebuilding measures (1325,OP6).

To achieve this, the Security Council tasks the Secretary-General to report on challenges and make recommendations relevant to the participation of women and gender mainstreaming in peacebuilding and recovery efforts (1888,OP19). In response, the Secretary-General issued a report on women’s participation in peacebuilding in 2010. The report details the challenges obstacles women must confront in participating in recovery and peacebuilding efforts, and advocates for a Seven-Point Action Plan to respond to these challenges.


First, the plan calls to increase women’s engagement in peace processes and to address gender issues in the context of peace agreements. Secondly, the plan urges for the inclusion of gender expertise at senior levels in the UN’s mediation support activities. Thirdly, the plan notes that, while the international community cannot control the gender composition of the negotiating parties, it must investigate strategies for the inclusion of more women. Fourthly, the plan calls for the establishment of mechanisms to ensure that negotiating parties engage with women’s civil society organisations. The Action Plan’s fifth commitment involves increasing the proportion of women decision makers in post-conflict governance institutions. The sixth point addresses rule of law, emphasising the importance of issues such as women’s access to justice and a gender perspective to legal reform. The Action Plan’s seventh commitment is concerned with women’s economic empowerment. The Action Plan’s implementation remains the challenge.

For more resources on this Critical Issue, visit PeaceWomen Resource Center >>

At the same time, in a broader context, Luxembourg has just decided to fund a...

Extract: 

At the same time, in a broader context, Luxembourg has just decided to fund a major project of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations that is aimed at strengthening the leadership and participation of women in peacebuilding activities in countries

As the Secretary-General notes in his report, impunity for perpetrators of se...

Extract: 

As the Secretary-General notes in his report, impunity for perpetrators of sexual violence remains the norm in the vast majority of countries where it occurs. This impunity risks undermining public confidence in the nascent justice and security sectors and eroding the whole process of peacebuilding. It is therefore essential for the Security Council to step up pressure on the perpetrators of sexual violence.

"In his report, the Secretary-General brings to light how conflict-relat...

Extract: 

"In his report, the Secretary-General brings to light how conflict-related sexual violence has become a threat to human security, especially for women and girls. The report also highlights how such violence is an impediment to socio-economic development and peacebuilding efforts in countries emerging from conflict situations.

"In 2008, Italy, in its capacity as a member of the Security Council, wa...

Extract: 

"In 2008, Italy, in its capacity as a member of the Security Council, was one of the strongest advocates of resolution 1820 (2008), on sexual violence in conflict. We also supported the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General. At the national level, we are finalizing a plan of action to implement resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security.

"Conflict-related sexual violence is a threat to security and an impedim...

Extract: 

"Conflict-related sexual violence is a threat to security and an impediment to peacebuilding in many parts of the world, not only in the crisis areas on the Council's agenda. In today's conflicts, sexual violence is not just collateral damage but an actual front-line strategy. There are two areas that we deem particularly important."

But helping to change attitudes and standards brings a follow-up responsibili...

Extract: 

But helping to change attitudes and standards brings a follow-up responsibility. It cannot be right that communities are left with new ways of looking at things but — with the international presence gone — no means to ensure that new standards are implemented. This is where the continuum between peacekeeping and peacebuilding really matters.

The Secretariat and the funds and programmes can do more. We believe that gre...

Extract: 

The Secretariat and the funds and programmes can do more. We believe that greater participation by women in the areas of conflict prevention, peace negotiations, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction is an essential prerequisite for lasting peace and security.

The Nordic countries promote women's participation at all stages of conflict ...

Extract: 

The Nordic countries promote women's participation at all stages of conflict prevention, peace negotiations and peacebuilding processes. Sexual violence should always be addressed in peace and ceasefire agreements, and no amnesty should be granted for such abuses.

Justice should always be sought with the perspective of survivors in mind. Th...

Extract: 

Justice should always be sought with the perspective of survivors in mind. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has recently convened a panel in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where survivors of sexual violence gave their views on justice and reparations.

The Security Council should also reaffirm its commitment to integrating the g...

Extract: 

The Security Council should also reaffirm its commitment to integrating the gender equality dimension and the protection of civilians from sexual and gender-based violence into the mandates of peacekeeping operations. The connections between violence against women and the ability of women to participate in conflict prevention and management, as well as in peacebuilding and development, must be better understood.

Pages