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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AUDIO: Key Role of Women in Rebuilding Post-crisis Societies Focus of New UN Report

Discrimination against women and the perpetuation of crimes such as rape is a major hindrance to peace, security and development in countries emerging from conflict, according to The 2010 State of the World Population report.


The report by the United Nations Population Fund or UNFPA says when women have the same rights and opportunities as men, they are more resilient to conflict and disaster.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Women Mediating for Peace Colloquium, US

Women Mediating for Peace Colloquium, US

Deadline: 31 October 2010
Open to: experienced and accomplished women peace builders
Costs: all travel, meal, and accommodation costs for participants are covered
Venue: 8-22 January 2011 in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Washington, DC.

INTERVIEW: What the U.S. Undid for Women in Iraq

Sanjay Suri interviews THORAYA AHMED OBAID, executive director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund

The U.S.-led invasion and then occupation of Iraq brought a sharp setback to the rights of women in that country, UNFPA head Thoraya Obaid tells IPS in an interview.

CAMPAIGN: The Angie Brooks International Centre for Women's Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security

ABIC's key mandates are training women for political leadership, peace building, mediation and negotiation skills. Also a thematic focus was climate change about which the Colloquium produced a Call To Action. Through its work, ABIC is expected to work towards qualifying for and become one of the operational centers of the United Nations University system within five years of its establishment.

PRESS CONFERENCE: UNFPA Launches Report On Post-Conflict Gender Issues

With a press conference, the UNFPA Country Office in Timor-Leste will launch the State of World Population report (SWOP) 2010. With the theme "From conflict and crisis to renewal: generations of change", this year the SWOP, for the first time, includes Timor-Leste's case as part of the countries that have experienced conflict or disasters and are on the road to recovery.

BOOK: Women and Security Governance in Africa, Edited by: Funmi Olonisakin and Awino Okech

Fills a gap in the growing field of gender and security.

Provides empirical data for the academic community and a tool for evidence based policy work globally and regionally.

Of use to policy-makers, NGOs, development agencies, activists focusing on women's rights, peace and security, as well as to scholars in Africa, Europe and North America.

ANALYSIS: Women and the Informal Economy – Palestine

In a recent article for BBC News MiddleEast, Jon Donnison reports on the Palestinian women who hand-sew Jewish kippot to be sold in the markets of Jerusalem.

VIDEO: Liberia: Microfinance

Improving the economic situation of women is key to peace-building efforts in Liberia following a civil war that tore the country apart and left 75 percent of its people in extreme poverty. UNDP, with funds from Denmark, has set up revolving microloans that provide funds to women entrepreneurs, many of whom are heads of households. Women make up 80 percent of the informal sector in Liberians economy.

BLOG: Support Women as Peacebuilders

Almost 10 years ago, on October 31, 2000, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 1325, calling for women's equal participation in peace building. Security Council Resolution (SCR) 1325 was a response to the disturbing trend that women and girls often suffer most during conflicts, including as displaced civilians or as the targets of sexual violence.

INTERVIEW: Iraq's Forgotten Women, the Stalemate Continues and More

Walter Kalin: Many of them have found a kind of acceptable way of life but as many are living in very, very difficult conditions particularly in Baghdad there because there was no alternative they had to squat on the public land where they are illegally occupying public buildings. They are threatened by eviction.

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