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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AFGHANISTAN: UN Says Afghanistan Failing on Protecting Women's Basic Rights

The United Nations says traditional women's rights are being violated across Afghanistan, urging the country's leadership to enforce a recently enacted law aimed at protecting women. U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has released the finding of its report in Kabul on the eve of International Human Rights Day.

LEBANON: Men Stand to Endorse the 'Protection of Women from Family Violence' Law in Lebanon

On November 25, 2010, Lebanon joined over 55 countries around the world by organising the first White Ribbon Campaign in the Middle East. The campaign carried out by KAFA (enough) Violence & Exploitation, the National Coalition for legislating protection of women from family violence, & Oxfam GB, started on November 25 and will last 16 days.

INTERNATIONAL: United Nations Official Calls for Access to Justice for Women

Ms. Anne Marie Goetz, the Chief Adviser on Governance, Peace and Security at the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), Wednesday called for greater access to justice for women in both national and international judicial systems.

PHILIPPINES: TIME Hails Cory as Amongst Most Powerful Women of Past Century

The legacy of the late Philippine President Corazon “Cory” Aquino continues with her inclusion in TIME Magazine's “The 25 Most Powerful Women of the Past Century” list.

SOUTH AFRICA: SA tops SADC Women's Representation in Parliament

South Africa ranks highest in the SADC region in terms of representation of women in parliament with 45 percent, and is third in the global ranking, surpassed only by Rwanda at 56 percent and Sweden 47 percent. Mozambique comes second.

CAR: Bemba Judges Issue Guidelines for Questioning Rape Victims

Judges today directed parties in the trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba to exercise greater caution when questioning rape victims giving testimony at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in order not to retraumatize them.

PAKISTAN: Lawmakers Quota Opens Doors for Pakistan Women

What challenges do women face in politics?

There have been many constraints on women entering into politics. This is why in 2002 the affirmative action plan was put in place, which reserved 60 seats for women in the National Assembly and 17 in the Senate.

UGANDA: The Link Between Poverty and Disability in Uganda

Uganda"affirmed "chronic poverty and disability in Uganda are inextricably linked. Despite impressive economic gains in the past 15 years, current evidence suggests that at least 2.4 million disabled persons remain poor."

DRC: DR.Congo Army Colonel Added to UN Sanctions List

A UN Security Council committee has ordered sanctions against a Democratic Republic of Congo army officer accused of murdering and raping women and children, and three rebel leaders.

Innocent Zimurinda, a militia leader who was brought into the DR Congo army and made a lieutenant colonel, has long been one of the most feared names in the strife-torn eastern part of the African nation, diplomats said.

DRC: No Peace Without Justice

As the trial of Congolese rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba gets under way, political analysts will go into overdrive about what the case means for the fragile peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In addition, many will see this as a crucial test of the International Criminal Court's (ICC's) ability to deliver justice in a region where politics is inextricably linked to bloodshed and instability.

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