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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ANALYSIS: The Nepal Transition To Peace Initiative and the Women Peace Building Network: An Effective way to Include Women?

A decade long armed conflict ended in Nepal with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in November 2006. The dialogue process which led to the ceasefire that preceded the CPA, as well as the CPA itself, failed to ensure women's participation at the formal negotiating table.So how could women be included if not at the peace table directly? Nepal's peace process involved Track 1 and Track 2 initiatives simultaneously.

MUSEUM EXHIBIT: Photo Exhibit Captures Women's Role in Iranian Revolution

A photo exhibition featuring Iranian women in demonstrations before the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 is currently underway at the Behzad Gallery in Tehran.

Sixty photos by veteran Iranian photographer and filmmaker Akbar Nazemi have been showcased at the exhibit entitled “Women in Revolution”.

INTERVIEW: Indigenous Guatemalan Woman Seeks Mayoral Seat with 'Message of Hope and Opportunity'

Despite their 20 percent share of the population, Mayan women in Guatemala have limited political and economic power. They have the country's highest rates of poverty and illiteracy, and, according to an NDI-supported study, are far less likely to vote than any other sector of the population. Only four of 158 deputies in Congress are Mayan women and only one of 333 mayors.

CONFERENCE: 2-day Conf in Mumbai on Gender Concerns in Conflict Zones

Women are constantly forced to negotiate for their rights between family, community and the state. But situations of conflict, strife and unrest pose myriad different challenges to them and render their negotiations with these institutions extremely complex. To understand women's gendered roles, issues and problems in conflict zones, a two-day conference will be organized on 5-6th Feb. 2011 in Mumbai.

ANALYSIS: New DOJ Task Force to Produce Manual on Prosecution of Violence Against Women in Indian Country

A new Violence Against Women Federal and Tribal Prosecution Task Force being formed this year is being directed to produce a trial practice manual on the federal prosecution of violence against women offenses in Indian Country.

Attorney General Eric Holder and United States Attorney for the District of Montana, Michael W. Cotter, announced the formation and inaugural meeting of the task force this week.

INTERVIEW: UN Foundation's Tamara Kreinin on the Status of Women and Girls in Post-Earthquake Haiti

Ostensibly, my recent chat with Tamara Kreinin, executive director of Women and Population at the United Nations Foundation, was supposed to be about International Women's Day. And while it was, we also got sidetracked into talking extensively about Tamara's recent trip to Haiti. Her observations were too insightful not to share.

CONFERENCE: An International Conference in Arbil on the Role of Iraqi Women in Peace-Building

Launched in Arbil Thursday of the International Conference on (the role of women in peace-building, reconciliation and accountability in Iraq) with the participation of members of the Iraqi Council of Representatives and the Parliament of Kurdistan and representatives of the UN mission in Iraq and the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Conference, and representatives of civil society organizations and international experts in the fiel

VIDEO: Interview with Tolekan Isamilova, Director of the Citizens Against Corruption in Kyrgyzstan

The following video of an interview with Tolekan Ismailova (Kyrgyzstan), Director of the Citizens Against Corruption, has been edited for time and content. A transcript of the interview conducted by Cate Urban, assistant project manager of the World Movement, is included.

CONFERENCE: Conference on Kurdish Woman's Role Launched

An International Conference on Woman's Role in Building of Peace was opened in Erbil, the capital of north Iraq's Kurdistan Region, with a large official and civilian presence on international, regional and local participation.

The conference was inaugurated by Kurdistan Region's Parliament Speaker, Kamal Kirkuki, who delivered a speech, welcoming the presence of delegates from different countries of the world.

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