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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HAITI: Haiti Six Months Later: Still Suffering

“Recovery in Haiti is one of the most complex humanitarian and development challenges in modern times.”
—Oxfam

HAITI: My Journey to Haiti: Reflections on Younger Women's Contributions to the Movement

Earlier this month, I traveled to Port-au-Prince as a part of a GFW delegation to learn about the current situation of women in Haiti and to learn how we can best support women's roles in decision-making throughout the reconstruction process.

CAMBODIA: Cambodians Upset by Genocide Sentence

The Khmer Rouge tribunal delivered its first verdict on Monday and sentenced a top leader of the genocidal regime, comrade Duch, to 30 years behind bars, but many victims outside the emotional courtroom were left complaining over this sentence.

LIBERIA: Ellen Delivers Special Statement To Women Today

President Ellen Johnson is today expected to deliver a special statement to the Women of Liberia when she formally launches the radio project of the Liberia Women Media Action Committee in Monrovia.

It is not known what the statement focus on, but observers are suggesting that the president may use the time to encourage Liberian women to aim as high as their male counterparts.

AFGHANISTAN: Afghan Women Soldiers Don't Struggle Alone

A group of NATO Training Mission –Afghanistan mentors hosted a women's forum for female Afghan National Army members July 18 at the Logistics Command in Kabul. Afghan women face many challenges; cultural, societal and religious views create barriers that often prevent them from entering the work force, attending school or joining their military.

SRI LANKA: War Over, But Women Wage Battle For Survival

It was a typically hot, humid day in this eastern coastal village. The sun burned down from a cloudless sky, roasting the skin as an angry sea breeze swatted the faces of the few foolish enough to venture out onto the deserted main road that runs through town.

EAST AFRICA: East African Women Convene to Promote Peace-Building

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development's Conflict Early Warning Response Mechanism (CEWARN), in partnership with Pact and USAID/EA's Regional Conflict Management and Governance team, recently held a two-day Karamoja Women for Peace-building Networking Meeting in Eldoret, Kenya.

INTERNATIONAL: Developing a Global Agenda for Gender Justice

At the recent ten-year review conference of the International Criminal Court (ICC), one of the side events was a Women's Court: a space for women to ‘testify' about their experiences during and after armed conflict in their countries.

RWANDA: Military Academy Delegation Briefed on the Role of Women in Sustaining Peace in Rwanda

A seven-person delegation from the West Point military academy in the United States visited the UN office in Kigali, Rwanda on 11 June for a briefing on the reconciliation process in Rwandan society after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi ethnic minority, and the role of women in supporting sustainable peace.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Anilafa Receives Women's Award

A WOMAN who has given her life to teaching the country's children with disabilities has had her work recognised yesterday.

Catherine Anilafa, headmistress of the Red Cross Handicapped Centre in Honiara, was the recipient of the United States sponsored 2010 International Women of Courage Award.

She became the fourth local woman to be given the award since its introduction four years ago.

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