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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SOUTH ASIA: Nepal's PLA: From Guerillas to Motherhood

KATHMANDU, NEPAL (Catholic Online) - Attracted to the Army by promises of equality and justice during the decade of conflict from 1996 to 2006, many have since formed families while staying on with the Maoist guerrilla group, the PLA. Now, many are looking for an alternative to the PLA as they turn their attentions toward raising their families and homemaking.

Afghanistan: Women Still Jailed for 'Moral Crimes'

Many Afghan women find themselves suffering from violence and abuse, with virtually no legal protection. Recently, authorities sentenced Gulnaz, a 21 year old rape victim, to 12 years in prison for adultery.

ISRAEL: Lecture, The Price of Peace

Dalit Baum has found an effective strategy to discourage multinational corporations from doing business in the Israeli-occupied territories: showing the link between profits and the suffering of Palestinians.

RWANDA: Central African Republic Legislators Tour Musanze

Two women Members of Parliament from the Central African Republic (CAR), yesterday met with members of National Women's Council (CNF) in Musanze district, to draw lessons on various women activities in political and economic development.

Rachel Ningawong Mallo, and Alima Diarra, both members of the gender and development commission, are in the country on a three-day visit to learn about Rwanda's achievements in women emancipation.

SOUTH ASIA: WISCOMP hosts 9th Annual Conflict Transformation workshop

As part of its commitment to the process of peace-building between India and its neighboring countries, WISCOMP - Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace recently hosted its Ninth Annual Conflict Transformation Workshop from 1st to 4th December, 2011 which brought together participants from all over South Asia.

Haiti: Men Supporting Women's Rights

Powerfully built with a livid scar across one cheek, Jacques is an unlikely looking women's rights defender. His decision to join a pressure group in Champ de Mars displacement camp was made in the aftermath of a particularly brutal string of camp attacks, one of which included his sister.

INTERNATIONAL: Gambia's Fatou Bansouda Poised to Lead ICC

Gambian jurist Fatou Bensouda is the only remaining candidate to become the International Criminal Court's next prosecutor. Her experience and background could help increase the legitimacy of the Hague in Africa.

AFGHANISTAN: The Bonn Conference and Why Women's Voices Must be Heard

The Afghan Conference that begins today in Bonn could prove to be crucial for the future of women in Afghanistan.

Yet there are very few women among the 900 delegates taking part in the talks that mark the anniversary of the 2001 Bonn Conference, when Hamid Karzai was appointed president of Afghanistan and expectations were high about women's futures.

AFGHANISTAN: Taliban Peace Deal Threat to Women's Future

The Taliban came once for Fawzia Koofi, and she knows they could come again. This prominent member of parliament - and mother of two - survived a hail of bullets last year.

"It was the Taliban. They kept shooting at my car for half an hour," she said. "But luckily I survived that. For me the threats are more, because I don't like to keep silent".

AFGHANISTAN: Afghan Women See An Opportunity At Bonn

On December 5, the international community will gather with Afghan leaders in Bonn, Germany's picturesque Cold War-era capital, for the latest stock-taking of Afghanistan. While some are tempering expectations for the second major conference in Bonn in ten years, Afghan women leaders see an opportunity -- and they're doing everything they can to seize it.

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