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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SERBIA: More Women Needed in Police and Military

Participants in the conference entitled “Gender issue and reform of security sector in the Republic of Serbia” have pledged today for the greater involvement of women in this field – police, military customs and security services.

UGANDA: Our Role As 'Strong Women' is to Keep Our Parties Honest

On Tuesday, October 5, Uganda women's movement launched their agenda, ‘Equal by Right', which sets out the 11 pillars that will be the focus for Uganda's women for the next five years.
The launching, a glamorous event which was hosted by Fowode, continues a tradition that is repeated by women activists every five years since 1996, to draw the attention of intending political candidates to women's concerns.

SUDAN: South Sudanese Women's Votes Important for the Referendum – Machar

October 13, 2010 (JUBA) – The votes of southern Sudanese women in January's self-determination referendum will be a determining factor in the outcome, says the Vice President of the regional government, Riek Machar.

KYRGYZSTAN: First Woman President Makes a Mark

When Roza Isakovna Otunbayeva was selected to be President of Kyrgyzstan, she became the first woman head of state in the predominantly Muslim Central Asian region.

And she also took on a mission. Her mission is to pave the way for parliamentary democracy in a country that was formerly a part of the Soviet Union.

SUDAN: Southern Women and the Referendum

A three-day conference on women and the 2011 referendum was convened today at the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly building in Juba by the Office of the President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and the GoSS Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare.

KYRGYZSTAN: Election Brings New Democracy to Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz voters cast their ballots yesterday to create the first parliamentary democracy in Central Asia in an election many hope can unite the country four months after the widespread bloodshed.

ZIMBABWE: Women Need Stake in Zim Politics

The drive to promote women in political and corporate decision-making positions has historically been a slow and resisted one worldwide.

It was as if women needed to move mountains to join what became “the gentlemen's club.” Now, thanks to a series of International Conferences in the 80s and early 90s, the Beijing one included, it gained momentum.

SOUTHERN AFRICA: Ignoring Patriarchy, Female Politicians Rise

In Malawi, if both a girl and boy are born into a poor family, it will naturally be the boy in whom all the financial resources are invested.

"Money for school will be given to the boy child," said Victor Maulidi, the acting network coordinator for the NGO Gender Coordinating Network. "The girl child will stay home. They won't expect (her) to go higher."

KYRGYZSTAN: Women Gaining Power in Kyrgyzstan

More women could emerge as powerful political figures in Kyrgyzstan as the country prepares for weekend elections, a watchdog group says.

Kyrgyzstan has parliamentary elections Sunday, six months after supporters of Roza Otunbayeva overthrew the government of Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

SOUTH AFRICA: Moving Closer to True Empowerment

South African women's rights organisations will soon have willing donors on their doorstep, thanks to the launch of the African Women's Development Fund in the country.

Today, world renowned women and children's rights activist Graça Machel will officially open AWDF's satellite office at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

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