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 >>

LAUNCH: GSMA mWomen's Program

AMBASSADOR VERVEER: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the State Department and to the launch of mWomen. mWomen is about bringing together women and mobile technology to advance gender equality and global development, and as a result of that marriage, a better world for all of us.

CONFERENCE FOLLOW-UP: Good Governance and Gender Equality, 'Gender Mainstreaming: Justice for All'

Congratulations to the Good Governance and Gender Equality Society, Penang (3Gs Society) for two days of excellent presentations and stimulating discussions! The ‘Gender Mainstreaming: Justice for All' Conference held in Penang on 31 July and 1 August 2010 drew almost 200 participants from all races and ages. Although a majority of participants were women, considerable numbers of men were present.

VIDEO: Increasing Access to Justice for Women

A video created by Tiyatien Health in partnership with Action Aid Liberia, Association of Female Lawyers Liberia, and DFID. "Increasing Access to Justice" illustrates the events carried out by Tiyatien Health and its partners in Southeastern Liberia to advance women's rights and promote justice and equity for women.

To view, click here.

The Danida Project in Sierra Leone

In 2009, FAWE (The Forum for African Women Educationalists) submitted a project on Girls' empowerment in post-conflict countries through vocational training to the Danish International Development Agency (Danida). The idea was to implement a project that would empower out-of-school girls in three conflict-affected fragile states (CAFS) in Africa: Burundi, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

ANALYSIS: Liberia's

Last year, I reported with the intrepid Glenna Gordon a story about Liberia's Court E, a court chamber in the capital city of Monrovia dedicated only to rape cases. The court, which will turn two in Februrary, was a direct response to what many people we met called a rape "epidemic" in Liberia. The country's post-war rape stats are sky-high, and most of the victims are young girls.

FACEBOOK: United Nations Police Division Female Global Effort

Company Overview:
The Global Effort was launched on the first anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1820 on Women, Peace and Security on 7 August 2009.

One year later the percentage of female police peacekeepers has increased from 8 percent to 9 percent.

INTERVIEW: Ann Jones on 'War Is Not Over When It's Over'

An important interview that also reveals a lot about what Obama's surge in Afghanistan means on the ground: "American troops are much more in evidence now, much more active, causing far more civilian casualties. And since the Obama surge, if we can call it that, the civilian casualties have gone up about 25 percent. Six thousand were killed last year. The number is likely to be higher now.

OPINION: Liberia's Tortured History -- and Happy Ending

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Diane Jordan-Grizzard says Liberia's history of repression led to violence
  • She says a settler elite dominated the nation until violent 1984 coup
  • Eventually Charles Taylor, now on trial for war crimes, took control
  • She says a movement for peace among women led to democracy, better leadership


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