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.

For more resources on this Critical Issue, visit PeaceWomen Resource Center >>

BURMA: Empowering the Burmese majority

As Burma gears up for its first election in more than 20 years, Ye Maung and Khin Pyu Win explore key issues facing its people and what political parties plan to do about them. The first in the series discusses gender equality and women's rights.

SOUTHERN AFRICA: Maureen asks SADC to recognise women's role in development

MAUREEN Mwanawasa has said the Southern African Development Community (SADC) should take women's economic participation as one of the keys to sustainable development.

LIBERIA: 'Women Are More Effective and Transparent in Leadership,' Says President Sirleaf

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says her government is developing long-term strategies to build upon the foundation for growth which has been set in Liberia. The strategies would consolidate the progress made and achieve target growth rates to improve the lives of people.

MIDDLE EAST: Women in the Middle East Control Around $0.7 Trillion of the Region's Total Assets

Historically, Arab women have been quite disadvantaged as compared to males and, more often than not, their destinies are inhibited by the dominant males in their lives - father, brothers or husband.

SIERRA LEONE: ABIC Convenes Another Peace-building Training For MRU Women

The Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC) for Women's Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security will today convene a peace-building training where participants will be trained in the areas of “Women Leading Change Leadership Program”; “UNSCR 1325: Women, Peace and Security”; and “Women and Mass Information Program”.

UGANDA: Women Politicians Want More LC3 Representation

WOMEN politicians at LC3 levels have called upon the Government to stop combining two electoral areas to be represented by one lady councillor.

They said women representation in local councils should be increased by letting each electoral area have its own representative.

ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe Women Make Themselves Heard on Draft Constitution

A parliamentary select committee has begun compiling comments on a new constitution, gathered at 4,000 meetings held across Zimbabwe over the past three months. Gender activists are confident that women's views have been expressed; it will be up to the eventual drafters of the new constitution to ensure they are reflected.

ZIMBABWE: Gender Equality- Zimbabwe Lagging Behind

Despite the little socio-economic changes brought about by the unity government after a decade of political and economic instability, a latest World Economic Forum (WEF) report showed that Zimbabwe moved merely three places up the Global Gender Gap Index to 92nd position in 2010, from 95th last year.

PHILIPPINES: RP Supports Two Asean Declarations

The Philippines on Friday supported adoption of two Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) declarations—Enhancement of Welfare and Development of Asean Women and Children and Human Resources and Skills Development for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Growth.

Pages