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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EGYPT: Women Key In Education Effort Ahead Of Egypt's Vote

While Libya's revolution is being decided by bombs, Egyptians still hope to finish theirs by casting ballots. A referendum is being held Saturday on amending the constitution. It's the first vote on anything since former President Hosni Mubarak lost power in February.

EGYPT: Women's Rights Get Short Shrift in Egypt's Makeover

The first flush of revolution is like a drug - colors, surging emotions, a beautiful future ahead.

But what happens when the drug wears off?

INDONESIA: Women Must Have Greater Say in Administration

Women should have greater opportunities in decision-making processes to ensure the effectiveness of policy programs designed to help the poor — especially women and children — activists say.

Aceh Indonesian Women Coalition (KPI) representative Safwani said that pro-women policies could only be administered if relevant stakeholders participate with government initiatives at all levels, including the local ones.

GEORGIA: Domestic Violence Research Reveals Big Problem in Georgia

Gender based violence is among the most important social problems in Georgia. There have been lots of anti-violence campaigns carried out by both local and international organizations in recent years but the problem remains unchanged. On March 10, Anti-violence Network of Georgia supported by the Estonian Institute for Open Society Research stated that “every third woman is the victim of violence in Georgia".

EGYPT: Male Domination in Egypt is Only Half a Revolution

The Mubarak government took some measures to include women in the political process and public life.

NEPAL: Women's Role in Peace Process Emphasised

Chairperson of National Women Commission (NWC) Naina Kala Thapa said it is necessary to promulgate the new Constitution in order to resolve conflict in the country.

Speaking at the ‘National women peace conference organized by Shantimalika here in the Capital today, she stressed that the new constitution should be promulgated and peace process taken to a logical conclusion to resolve conflict in the country.

IRAQ: Iraqi Women Feel Shunted Despite Election Quota

Iraqi women hoped that last year's election would cement a larger role for them in the government. But they have less political influence today than at any time since the American invasion.

UNITED STATES/AFGHANISTAN: A Continuing Struggle: Empowering Afghan Women

The March 6 news article "As U.S. goals shift, so does focus on aid to Afghanistan's women" suggested that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is shifting away from its commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment in Afghanistan. Nothing could be further from the truth.

VENEZUELA: Highest Gender Equality in Latin America

The policies of social inclusion implemented by the Venezuelan government over the last 12 years have allowed the country to achieve one the most positive gender equality indexes in the entire region: 0.5 – considering “0” as full equality and “1” as total inequality – said the Minister of Women's Affairs and Gender Equality, Nancy Perez.

U.S./KYRGYZSTAN: US Awards Women of Courage Award to Kyrgyz President

The U.S. Department of State has awarded Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbayeva the International Women of Courage Award, Kyrgyz media reported on Wednesday.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented the award to Otunbayeva and nine other women in Washington on Tuesday in the presence of the country's first lady, Michelle Obama.

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