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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SUDAN: Sudanese Struggle with Rare and Complex Poll

Sudanese voters are going to the polls for the first time since the end of a 21-year north-south conflict which left some 1.5 million people dead.

However, a separate conflict is still underway in the western region of Darfur. BBC correspondents around the country describe the scene at the start of the three-day process.

JAMES COPNALL, KHARTOUM

SUDAN: Votes on Re-electing Indicted President

The Sudanese people began voting Sunday in an election that will decide whether President Omar al-Bashir wins another term despite his indictment on charges he committed international war crimes in Darfur.

UGANDA: Victims of Rape and Sexual Violence Denied Justice in Uganda

Amnesty International has urged the Ugandan authorities to provide support for women seeking justice for sexual and domestic violence in a new report highlighting the barriers faced by the victims.

I Can't Afford Justice – Violence against women in Uganda documents the economic and social obstacles to justice, including the costs of criminal investigations and discrimination by government officials.

GEORGIA: Gender Equality Law Adopted in Georgia

The Parliament of Georgia passed a Gender Equality Law on 27 March. The legislation provides for the establishment of a national women's machinery, the enhancement of women's security, equality in the labour market and the strengthening of women's political participation. The law also introduces gender-responsive planning and budgeting on the part of the government.

LATIN AMERICA: Women's Rights Laws - Where's the Enforcement?

Advanced new legislation and constitutional reforms on women's rights are paving the way for equal opportunities for women in Latin America and the Caribbean. But application and enforcement remain a distant goal.

KUWAIT: Woman Elected in Kuwait Says Gender in Politics is 'History'

Rola Dashti is one of four women who won parliamentary seats in the recent elections in Kuwait.As one of the first four female lawmakers ever elected to Kuwait's parliament, Aseel al-Awadhi knows she has a tough road ahead in the conservative Gulf state's male-dominated legislature.

LEBANON: A Dwindling Show by Women in Lebanese Politics

A seductive woman looks out from the billboards that line Beirut's highways proclaiming, "Be Beautiful and Vote," one political party's appeal to women in this beauty-obsessed nation's upcoming parliamentary elections.

IRAN: Who Was Really Cheated in Iran's Vote? Women.

What is striking about the Iranians protesting fraud in the June 10 "election" is the number of women on the front lines. Among all those cheated at the polls, they may feel the most denied.

AFGHANISTAN: 2 Women Vie for Afghan Presidency

In a country where most women leave home only under the cover of a burqa, Shahla Atta wears bright pink nail polish, highlights her eyes with glitter and wants to be Afghanistan's next president.

IRAQ: How are Women in Iraq Faring Now?

Following the recent withdrawal of United States troops in Iraq, Sundus Abass, Director of the Women in Leadership Institute in Baghdad speaks about how violence in the streets and towards women in homes is likely to increase, public violence against women has lessened and socioeconomic conditions are at the heart of Iraqi women's struggles today.

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