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: International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women of Burma, Report Available

The Nobel Women's Initiative and the Women's League of Burma have launched the final report for the International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women of Burma.

UGANDA: Women Activists Want Bashir Arrested

Sudan President Omar el-Bashir must account for crimes committed in Dafur especially those against women and children, women leaders have demanded.

The call was made by Nobel Women's Initiative, a group of women who have won the Nobel prize. They are attending the ongoing ICC meeting at Munyonyo.

KENYA: Our Women Never Had It So Good

A poll by Infotrack Harris indicates that women are likely to vote against the proposed constitution largely due to ignorance of its contents.

This is a very sad state of affairs. Those of us who have read through the draft document find it a masterpiece for promoting, enhancing and protecting women's rights. This will be a constitution for the women of Kenya.

UGANDA: Women Demand Answers and Action from ICC

With the first Review Conference of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) under way in the Ugandan capital Kampala, women are crying out for justice for gender-based violence inflicted upon them during the civil conflict in the country's north.

AFRICA: Women Demand Answers and Action from ICC

With the first Review Conference of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) under way in the Ugandan capital Kampala, women are crying out for justice for gender-based violence inflicted upon them during the civil conflict in the country's north.

AFGHANISTAN: Afghan Women and the Media – Is Their Story Being Told?

This past March, Pat Mitchell, President and CEO of The Paley Center for Media, hosted a round table discussion in conjunction with the U.S. – Afghan Women's Council. The focus was to examine how to support Afghan women in media. The agenda also addressed the type of stories about Afghan women that continue to grab the headlines – when stories make it to the public's awareness.

SRI LANKA: War-Affected Women Bewail Their Plight

Although unmarried, Rajini Padamaraj, 32, is burdened with the responsibility of looking after the needs of her entire household, composed of her mother and two younger siblings.

The slightly built woman who is of Tamil ethnic origin and originally from the Jaffna peninsula in northern Sri Lanka, found a job last October as a
sewing instructor in a training centre for women funded by a Japanese women's group.

SUDAN: Sudan Legislator Says Women Seek More Democratic Reforms

A leading member of the women's group of the Rumbek State legislature in southern Sudan says there was a large turnout of women during Sudan's general elections.

Adak Costa Mapuor said it demonstrates their commitment towards entrenching democratic reforms. She said a constitutional provision that reserves 25% of all political positions for women is a significant boost to women's participation in making public policy.

ZIMBABWE: Women Say Environment Not Good for Constitution Outreach

Women's groups want the constitution-making process delayed until the political climate is conducive for outreach teams to carry out their work in yet another potential stumbling block for the process.

This demand was made at a recent civil society cluster meeting organised by the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (Nango) ahead of the crucial phase of the process.

Pages