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 >>

USA/ETHIOPIA: Senator Feingold Introduces Tougher Human Rights Legislation on Ethiopia

WASHINGTON

(Tadias) – Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), a member of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, has introduced a bill entitled “Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia Act of 2010.”

ETHIOPIA: Youth, Women Leagues Expected to Join EPRDF Leadership

Structural change is expected within the ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front's (EPRDF) top leadership at its congress scheduled for next month. The front's newly emerging youth and women leagues are likely to join the party's top leadership for the first time, a knowledgeable source has indicated.

ISRAEL/PALESTINE: Less Than Animals

“The Russian Compound...” said Jehan Dahadha, before trailing off. Her gaze shifts to the floor and the 23-year-old Palestinian woman sighs before continuing.

SIERRA LEONE: Sierra Leone's Model for Improving Maternal Health and Women's Rights (Blog)

Continuing high rates of maternal mortality and persistent gender-based violence must be addressed through a holistic and rights-based approach that strengthens health systems and empowers women. As we approach the ten-year review of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in September, we have an extraordinary model of leadership to look to in Sierra Leone of how such approaches can be implemented in practice.

AFGHANISTAN: Afghan Women 'Depend' on Foreign Troops

Pulling Western troops out of Afghanistan will condemn mothers and children to suffer, a leading Afghan women's advocate has warned.

Sakena Yacoobi said yesterday that foreign soldiers - including from Australia - were needed for at least another five years in a conflict where extremists deliberately poison the drinking water at schools to scare away children.

AFGHANISTAN: Karzai Promises Not to Sacrifice Women's Rights

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Sunday that he will not sacrifice women's rights in any peace deal with the Taliban.

UGANDA: For Women with Disabilities, Barriers and Abuse

Women with disabilities in northern Uganda experience ongoing discrimination and sexual and gender-based violence, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Many are unable to gain access to basic services, including health care and justice, and they have been largely ignored in post-conflict reconstruction efforts.

PHILIPPINES: Justice for Comfort Women

In the well-publicized controversial -- and “plagiarized” -- ruling of the Supreme Court in the Vinuya vs. Romulo case, the justices en banc dismissed the petition of more than 70 “comfort women” belonging to the “Malaya Lolas Organization.”

LIBERIA: Launch of New NGO in the Offing

The newly founded non-governmental organization (NGO), named Social Actions and Poverty Alleviation (SAPA) Inc. is to be launched 'very shortly' in Monrovia.

SAPA with the motto, 'God Cares,' strives for positive sustainable economic empowerment, legal and social reforms for most war-affected women, girls and children in vulnerable communities in post-war Liberia.

BURMA/MYANMAR: The Women's League of Burma Applauds the Call from the USA to End Impunity in Burma

The Women's League of Burma (WLB) welcomes the decisive decision from the Obama Administration on August 18, calling for a Commission of Inquiry on Burma.

The US joined the growing number of countries refusing to turn a blind eye any longer and called for the establishment of an inquiry into crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma.

Pages