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.

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When conflicts break out, civilians are always under threat of violence, and ...

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When conflicts break out, civilians are always under threat of violence, and the protection of women and girls is therefore an important responsibility the international community must shoulder. To that end, cooperation between peacekeeping operations and humanitarian organizations needs to be strengthened, so that the voices of the people in the area where a conflict is raging may be heard and their problems properly addressed.

Japan also welcomes the commitments contained in the action plan for gender-r...

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Japan also welcomes the commitments contained in the action plan for gender-responsive peacebuilding, presented by the Secretary-General (see S/2010/466), and hopes that they will be translated into action on the ground with all due speed.

In the implementation of peacebuilding strategies, the ways in which the inte...

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In the implementation of peacebuilding strategies, the ways in which the international community, including the United Nations, provides support are of considerable consequence, as the ownership of the countries concerned must be respected.

By applying a gender perspective in the fields of peacekeeping and peacebuild...

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By applying a gender perspective in the fields of peacekeeping and peacebuilding, the Government of Japan has been attempting to create an environment in which more women can play active roles.

And another point to be borne in mind is that efforts for peace and security ...

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And another point to be borne in mind is that efforts for peace and security must be accompanied by social and economic development. In particular, for achieving stability in post-conflict societies, not only must there be reconstruction at the country level, but it is also essential to rebuild communities and empower people affected by conflicts, employing a bottom-up

Today's celebration is therefore a reminder that the high cost of peacekeepin...

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Today's celebration is therefore a reminder that the high cost of peacekeeping and of reconstruction in post-conflict situations weighs heavily in favour of prevention and peacebuilding measures to address the root causes of deadly conflicts. Women have proven instrumental in building bridges rather than walls. Women are entitled to an active rote in rebuilding their societies.

Resolution 1325 reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and r...

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Resolution 1325 reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building.We acknowledge that in some parts of the world women have become increasingly effective participants at the peace table and have continued to assist in creating an enabling environment for conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peace building and post-conflict construction.

I wlsh, on behalf of the Government of Jamaica to thank you Mr. President for...

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I wlsh, on behalf of the Government of Jamaica to thank you Mr. President for convening this open debate on women's equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security,Resolution 1325 unanimously adopted in the Security Council ten years ago, brought to light one of history's best kept secrets, the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women and girls.

Finally, the United Nations Population Fund State of World Population 2010 re...

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Finally, the United Nations Population Fund State of World Population 2010 report — “From Conflict and Crisis to Renewal: Generations of Change” — speaks of the three Rs, resilience, renewal and redefining roles between boys and girls and men and women. It further shows how communities and civil society are healing old wounds and moving forward.

Another priority of the plan is cooperation with countries beset by conflict ...

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Another priority of the plan is cooperation with countries beset by conflict and with their institutional stakeholders, non-governmental organizations and civil society to enhance their invaluable work. One possible example of such cooperation would be opening ad hoc local facilities to accommodate and rehabilitate women who fall victim to violence and sexual abuse.

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