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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CANADA/AFGHANISTAN: Canada Must Protect Afghan Women Post-combat

In an effort to kick-start public debate on Canada's post-combat mission in Afghanistan, CARE Canada recommends the government become an international champion for Afghan women.

Canada should focus on preserving and enhancing gains made by Afghan women, among the poorest and least powerful in the world, after troops withdraw by the end of next year, the non-government aid agency says in a report released Wednesday.

AFRICA: Call for AU Fees to go Towards Empowering Women

Pretoria - Ministers of Women's Affairs from various African countries have called for 1 percent of the African Union's membership fees to be put towards empowering women on the continent.

The money could be used to set up and finance an Empowerment Fund for Women which will support various women's projects under the Decade of African Women (2010-2020), according to the ministers.

SUDAN: Southern Sudan Women Draw Referendum Strategies

Southern Sudanese women drew referendum plans to ensure their effective participation in 2011 vote on self-determination.

Women from the ten states of southern Sudan and the Diaspora closed today in Juba a three-day conference about their role in the upcoming referendum.

INDONESIA: Gender Equality Bill on Target For Next Year, Indonesian Minister Says

The Ministry of Women and Child Protection is consulting the National Commission of Violence Against Women as it presses ahead with its bill on gender equality.

SUDAN: South Sudan Trains Future Police Force

In southern Sudan preparations are underway for the referendum scheduled for January 9 that will decide whether that part of the country secedes from the north. Part of the preparations for the vote, and for a possible future state, include training a regional police force.

KENYA: African Women's Decade Launched in Nairobi

The African Women's Decade, AWD (2010-2020) has been launched. It has the theme "grassroots approach to gender equality and women's empowerment".

The AWD was launched at the Kenyatta international Conference Center (KICC) in Nairobi today by Kenyan President Mr. Mwai Kibaki. AU Chairperson Dr Bingu wa Mutharika spoke at the launch as did the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr Jean Ping.

SIERRA LEONE: Unfulfilled Promise of Free Maternal Health Care for Mothers

Marie Musa, 37, is devastated. After the mother of four gave premature birth, her baby boy died a few hours later – because the hospital did not have enough incubators to rescue the infant.

AFRICA: Women's Conference Discusses Women and the Transformation of the African Continent

The two-day Women's Conference at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) themed “Women and the Transformation of the African Continent” closed on Saturday after tackling a number of issues impacting on African women.

AFRICA: Governance Improves in Liberia, Angola, Togo But Declines in Eritrea, Madasgascar

Cape Town — Governance standards have improved significantly in Angola, Liberia and Togo over the past four years, but have declined in Eritrea and Madagascar, according to a leading survey assessing the quality of governance across Africa.

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