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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CAR: The ICC Must Double Down on the Bemba Trial

November 22nd of last year marked the beginning of the ongoing International Criminal Court trial of former Congolese vice-president Jean-Pierre Bemba. Bemba, who was a major force in Congolese politics as well as a presidential hopeful, is being held responsible for war crimes committed by his private militia, the Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC), in Congo's northern neighbor the Central African Republic.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: EUPM Honors the Importance of Women in Police

Tuzla, 4 November 2010 - In cooperation with the Tuzla University, BiH law enforcement agencies and civic society, the EU Police Mission commemorated the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on women, peace and security by organizing a panel discussion on the role and impact of women's participation in law enforcement agencies, in Tuzla yesterday.

SUDAN: Sudan Referendum and the Future for Sudanese Women

Southern Sudanese are at the polls to decide whether they want to remain part of a united Sudan or to break away and become Africa's newest country. The referendum is taking place from 9 to 15 January, but official turnout figures are not expected until the beginning of February. The outcome, which is largely expected to result in an independent South, will have an enormous impact in both the South and the North.

HAITI: UN Women on the Ground: Haiti's Women a Year after the Earthquake

In Haiti, one year after its devastating earthquake, UN Women is working side by side with national counterparts to stop violence against women, expand women's economic options and increase space for women to participate in decisions that affect them. The head of UN Women in Haiti, Sheelagh Kathy Mangones, shares an update.

SOUTH SUDAN: Southern Sudanese Women Give Their Views on the Referendum

For the last ten years, Isis-WICCE has carried out case studies and in-depth research in South Sudan, trained women grassroots leaders as well as health workers. This week as the South Sudan holds the historical referendum where they will decide whether to separate from the north, giving birth to a new African state, or for unity, Isis-WICCE's Rosebell Kagumire sought out views and experiences of women from different states on the event.

SOUTH SUDAN: Women Dream of Independence

AMPALA, Jan 13, 2011 (IPS) - John Garang, the revered late leader of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement, once said that women are the "the poorest of the poor and the marginalised of the marginalised". As the reality of an independent South Sudan approaches, the region's women have vowed they will not remain second class citizens.

DRC: UPDATE: Congolese Soldiers Charged and Arrested for New Year's Day Mass Rape

Government soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) have been accused of the New Year's Day mass rape in Fizi of over a dozen women. The coordinated attack also left many more injured and included the looting and burning of several town homes and businesses. A spokesperson for the military, Vianney Kazarama, has confirmed that eight soldiers have been arrested in connection with the attack.

NEPAL: Donors Ready to Continue Support to the Peace Building Process

Nepal´s development partners have expressed readiness to continue their support to the peace building process in the days ahead as well.

UNITED STATES: Reflections on 2010, Resolutions for 2011: Strengthening Gains for Women and Girls

As we bid farewell to 2010 and usher in 2011 with a renewed sense of purpose, I'm proud of all the hard work that has been done by the Office of Global Women's Issues, our State Department colleagues in Washington and around the world to advance progress for women and girls across the globe. Just a year ago, Secretary Clinton announced that the United States was taking steps to put women and girls front and center in our development work.

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