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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IWN Letter to Prime Minister of Sweden of Sweden Regarding International UN Conference on Iraq

Dear Mr. Fredrik Reinfeldt,

The Swedish Government lately announced an initiative to host an international conference in support of security and peace in Iraq, scheduled to be held by the end of May, 2008. This initiative comes in compliance with Iraqi government pursue to spread rule of law, and mobilize reconstruction and development programmes,

Kvinna till Kvinna Letter to Prime Minister of Sweden of Sweden Regarding International UN Conference on Iraq

Dear Fredrik Reinfeldt,

Kvinna till Kvinna welcomes Your and Sweden's initiative to host an international conference about Iraq, with the purpose of discussing the non-military support of the International Community to Iraq. The conference will give an opportunity to Sweden and the International Community to consider new possibilities on how peace and security can be built in Iraq with civil methods.

May 2008: Sweden to Host International UN Conference on Iraq

The conference, which is planned for the end of May, aims to clarify the support of the international community for Iraq's development, and for the central role assigned to the United Nations by Security Council Resolution 1770. The detailed plan for the conference will be discussed with Iraq, the United Nations and other partners.

Women Prepare to Make their Mark in Elections

Ghana is scheduled to hold both presidential and parliamentary elections next year – a prospect that has galvanized the country's women. A series of meetings is being held nationwide to draft a women's manifesto for the two polls. Organisers hope this will end a situation where – as they put it – women have been left behind in the democratisation process.

International Compact with Iraq in Sweden: Kvinna till Kvinna's Foundation Seminar

At the International Compact with Iraq (May 29) government representatives and the UN will discuss what the international community can do to support the rebuilding of Iraq, including strengthening the respect for human rights and democracy.

Women Making Airwaves for Peace: Call for Applications for the Seminar in Bangalore

Call for Applications

(deadline January 3, 2010)

A cross-cultural radio seminar for women broadcasters on community radio and peace building, climate change and disaster management in conjunction with the 2nd AMARC Asia Pacific Community Radio Conference in Bangalore.

New Peacebuilding Training Programme by International Alert

Alert's dedicated Training and Learning Team is comprised of experienced training professionals drawn from a wide range of backgrounds, including peacebuilding, mediation, development, humanitarian response and election observation.

Bottom-up Governance Leadership Program for Women in the Pacific

The Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC) is seeking applications from young and emerging women leaders from Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Tonga to participate in a project entitled: the Bottom-Up Governance Leadership Program for Women in the Pacific (BGLP).

Trascending Conflict Workshop

Forty-five young researchers, practitioners and students from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Tibet and India came together in New Delhi to participate in the Second WISCOMP Conflict Transformation Workshop titled Transcending Conflict organized from June 2nd to 9th 2003.

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