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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SIERRA LEONE: In Sierra Leone, Women Want Commission

Gender Specialist at the Sierra Leone Conference on Transformation and Development (SLCDT), Madam Naasu Fofanah has stated that one of the resolutions of the Women of Sierra Leone for the Transformative Conference slated to kick off this morning was a clarion call for the Government of Sierra Leone to establish a “Women's Commission” that will promote the advancement of women and girls in Sierra Leone.

SOUTH SUDAN: South Sudanese Women Call for Greater Participation in Constitutional Review

A South Sudanese women's alliance on Wednesday said the National Constitution Review Commission (NCRC) did not fully represent their interests after its swearing ceremony on Tuesday.

AFGHANISTAN: Fearing Taliban Talks, Afghan Women Keep Pushing to Have Voices Heard

With increased pressure for a U.S. and NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and potential peace talks with the Taliban, many Afghan women fear their newfound rights could be jeopardized.

UGANDA: Women Picking Up the Broken Pieces After LRA


(Photo courtesy International Rivers)

Women and girls in societies with fundamental inequalities are the intended and unintended causalities of war. Those caught in the military conflict faced sexual violence and exploitation, torture, forced recruitment, rape, mass rape, and trafficking.

KURDISTAN: Kurdish Women Press for More Power


Women's rights activists in the Kurdistan region are demanding greater representation in the new Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) cabinet, saying despite a quota that sets aside 25 percent of parliamentary seats for women, female leaders do not have enough power.

WEST AFRICA: Sierra Leonean Women Root for Peaceful Campaigns

Sierra Leone's President Bai Koroma (centre) arrives for the inaugural address of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on January 16, 2012 in Monrovia. In Freetown, a coalition of women are up against political mischief ahead of the country's elections later in the year.

LIBYA: Libya Drops Election Quota for Women

Libya will scrap a proposal for 10 percent of seats in a new national assembly to be set aside for women, a Western diplomat who is engaged in discussions with the Libyan election committee told Reuters on Friday.

The new, 200-member assembly is set to be elected in June to draw up a constitution after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi last year.

AFRICA: African Women Who Changed Our World

In the company of souls departed and souls vibrantly alive, Jessica Horn reflects on the significance of the lives of Nobel laureates Leymah Gbowee and the late Wangari Maathai, and the transgressive power of African women on a mission.

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