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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In conclusion, allow me to mention some challenges that we expect to encounte...

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In conclusion, allow me to mention some challenges that we expect to encounter on our way forward. There is still a low level of awareness at all levels of the existence and content of resolution 1325 (2000), which explains why the Gambia has yet to attain a 50 per cent involvement of women in peacebuilding and negotiation processes undertaken pursuant to the resolution.

As it seeks to fulfil the vital commitments contained in these resolutions, t...

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As it seeks to fulfil the vital commitments contained in these resolutions, the Government of the Gambia, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has embarked on a series of actions and has been guided by the slogan “From commitment to action”. Key among these actions are the following.

In that regard, let me once again draw attention to the situation in Guinea, ...

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In that regard, let me once again draw attention to the situation in Guinea, where the announced postponement of the presidential election and the incidents of recent days are cause for concern, including as regards to women if we bear in mind what happened during the massacre of 28 September 2009 and the ensuing days.

Participation of both women and men in peacekeeping, peacebuilding and post-c...

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Participation of both women and men in peacekeeping, peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction is crucial for the sustainability of their ultimate objective: peace. Let me be clear: full and equal participation is important for the delivery of the mandates that this Council has provided. Recent study from Afghanistan showed that women's participation in Provincial Reconstruction Teams benefitted their operational effectiveness.

Despite substantial efforts, there is no place for complacency. We hope that ...

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Despite substantial efforts, there is no place for complacency. We hope that the next decade will be one of more strategic and systematic action, improved accountability, and measurable progress. The recommendations and the comprehensive set of indicators in the Secretary General's report on Women, Peace and Security provide a tool for accountability.

Despite 10 years of efforts, progress on protecting women in conflict situati...

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Despite 10 years of efforts, progress on protecting women in conflict situations as well as promoting their participation in peace processes, conflict prevention, peacebuilding and reconstruction has fallen short of both the commitments the international community has made and the needs on the ground.

To conclude, allow me to share the following thoughts with Council members. I...

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To conclude, allow me to share the following thoughts with Council members. In our view, the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) presents a valuable opportunity to establish a bridge between the Security Council and the General Assembly in terms of the participation and inclusion of women in conflict prevention and resolution and in peacebuilding.

The Government of El Salvador acknowledges and values the progress made thus ...

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The Government of El Salvador acknowledges and values the progress made thus far, both by the international community as a whole and by Member States in particular, in reaffirming the important role of women in conflict prevention and resolution and in peacebuilding.

El Salvador welcomes the evolution of this historic resolution and the subseq...

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El Salvador welcomes the evolution of this historic resolution and the subsequent adoption by the Council of resolutions 1820 (2008) and 1882 (2009) on the prevention and response to sexual violence in conflicts an resolution 1888 (2009) on the participation of women in peacebuilding.

El Salvador acknowledges and welcomes the important contribution made by the ...

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El Salvador acknowledges and welcomes the important contribution made by the Peacebuilding Commission to efforts to promote and strengthen the participation of women in peacebuilding following conflict. We also welcome the efforts made on a daily basis by civil society organizations, especially women's movements, aimed at incorporating the gender perspective in peacekeeping operations.

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