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 >>

Ensure Peaceful, Just and Resilient Societies in the Post-2015 Development Agenda

The side-event takes place in the context of global consultations, within and outside the United Nations system, on what comes after the Millennium Development Goals expire in 2015. A major question relates to the specific place of conflict, violence and disaster in the new agenda. A key emerging message is that insecurity, injustice and violence disrupts development progress and destroys people's lives in all societies.

Advancing Women's Civil Society Organizations in Security Sector Reform

On April 10th, 2013 PeaceWomen observed a panel discussion on women's role in security system reform organized by the United States Institute of Peace. This event was also a promotion of the recently launched publication, “A Women's Guide to Security Sector Reform." The progress that has been made in advancing and promoting women's inclusion is noticeable in the shift of the rhetorical question from where are the women?

WPS Event with Chief Prosecutor of the ICC

Panel series on Women, Peace and Security:
Fighting impunity for sexual and gender-based crimes

The Chief Prosecutor of International Criminal Court, H.E. Ms. Fatou Bensouda will speak about the work of the International Criminal Court to prevent and prosecute sexual and gender-based crimes.

Women, Peace and Security in Afghanistan: Prospects on the Way Forward

The Embassy of Finland together with the U.S. Institute of Peace cordially invite you to a panel discussion on Women, Peace, and Security in Afghanistan: Prospects on the Way Forward.

Human Security for Rural Women in Nigeria (using SCR1325)

The event will be a panel discussion on 2 priority aspects of Human Security in rural African context: Prevention of Conflict, and women's security and participation. Invited speakers will present good practice and recommendations for the promotion of women's rights as prevention strategy from local and national context; as essential for the empowerment and security of rural women.

8:30 pm

Join a dynamic group of experts from Equality Now, the Center for Women's Global Leadership, UN Women, and Resolve Network, moderated by NYU Professor Barbara Borst, as they recap this revolutionary year and discuss how political and economic empowerment has a direct and positive impact on health, women rights, and preventing violence against women.

Women's Rights and Gender Equality amidst the 'Arab Springs' Challenges and Lessons Learnt across Regions

Current citizen upraising and political changes taking place in Arab countries - known as the ‘Arab springs'-represent a historical opportunity for advancing gender equality and women's rights. Women of the region have proven to be key actors and crucial agents of change on processes of transition initiated this year.

Event: Online Dialogue, New Tactics, in collaboration with IFOR/WPP

Topics for discussion threads are guided by the following questions:

What is the relationship between faith, peacebuilding and gender?

What obstacles and advances currently exist for the realization of womens rights in faith-based peacebuilding?

How do we apply a gender perspective on faith-based peacebuilding?

What are the next steps?

ISRAEL/OPT: Have you ever wondered what your small steps could add up to?...the women of Budrus wondered too.

Ready for a rare opportunity? Join us for a SPECIAL LIVE Global Room for Women Teleconference as we have personal conversations with 5 courageous filmmakers and women featured in the award-winning film, BUDRUS - about a Palestinian village that succeeds through non-violence to save their land from the Separation Wall. How on Earth did they do it?

Pages