WOMEN’S EQUAL PARTICIPATION AT ALL LEVELS OF DECISION-MAKING AND GOVERNANCE

Agreed Language

We the Peoples of the United Nations determined to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security and to ensure that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest to maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace
[United Nations Charter, 26 June 1945]

1. Urges Member States to ensure increased representation of women at all decision-making levels in national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict;

2. Encourages the Secretary-General to implement his strategic plan of action (A/49/587) calling for an increase in the participation of women at decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace processes;

3. Urges the Secretary-General to appoint more women as special representatives and envoys to pursue good offices on his behalf, and in this regard calls on Member States to provide candidates to the Secretary-General, for inclusion in a regularly updated centralized roster;

15. Expresses its willingness to ensure that Security Council missions take into account gender considerations and the rights of women, including through consultation with local and international women's groups;
[UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, Paras. 1, 2, 3, 15]

The Security Council stresses the specific needs of women and children in peace processes and encourages the strengthening of the role of women and youth in the search for solutions to conflicts in Africa.
[S/PRST/2002/2, Security Council Presidential Statement, Situation in Africa, Para. 5, 31 January 2002]

Para 1: The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of its resolution 1325 (2000) of 31 October 2000 and welcomes the efforts by the United Nations system, Member States, civil society organizations and other relevant actors in promoting the equal participation and full involvement of women in the maintenance and promotion of peace and security and in implementing the provisions of resolution 1325 (2000).

Para. 2: The Council further reaffirms its strong support for increasing the role of women in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution and renews its call on States to include women in the negotiations and implementation of peace accords, constitutions and strategies for resettlement and rebuilding and to take measures to support local women’s groups and indigenous processes for conflict resolution. In this regard it recognizes the efforts of the Mano River Women’s Peace Network in facilitating peace and dialogue in the Mano River Union region. It is also encouraged by the inclusion of women in the political decision-making bodies in Burundi, Somalia and in East Timor.

Para. 3: The Security Council remains concerned about the slow progress in the appointment of women as special representatives and envoys of the Secretary-General, and urges the Secretary-General to increase the number of women serving as high-level representatives to achieve the overall goal of gender balance. The Council also urges Member States to continue to provide candidates to the Secretary-General for inclusion in a database.

Para. 6: The Security Council undertakes to integrate gender perspectives into the terms of reference of its visits and Missions to countries and regions in conflict. To that end, the Council requests the Secretary-General to establish a database of gender specialists as well as women’s groups
and networks in countries and regions in conflict, and to include gender specialists in the teams where relevant.

Para. 7: The Security Council recognizes the vital role of women in promoting peace, particularly in preserving social order and educating for peace. The Council encourages its Member States and the Secretary-General to establish regular contacts with local women’s group and networks in order to utilize their knowledge of both the impact of armed conflict on women and girls, including as victims and ex-combatants, and of peacekeeping operations, to ensure that those groups are actively involved in reconstruction processes, particularly at decision-making levels.

Para. 9: The Security Council is concerned that there are still no women appointed as Special Representatives or Special Envoys of the Secretary-General to peace missions, and urges Member States to redouble their efforts to nominate women candidates to the Secretary-General. The Council also urges the Secretary-General to appoint women as Special Representatives and Envoys to pursue good offices on his behalf in accordance with his strategic plan of action (A/49/587, para. 2).
[S/PRST/2001/31, Security Council Presidential Statement, Women and peace and security: Para. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 31 October 2001]

Article 4
(p) Facilitate and enhance the work of the women's movement and non-governmental organizations and cooperate with them at local, national and regional levels;
[Declaration on Elimination of Violence Against Women, General Assembly Resolution 48/104 of 20 December 1993]

1. Urges States:
(a) To promote and protect the right of women to associate freely, express their views publicly, openly debate political policy and petition and participate in their Government at all levels, including in the formulation and implementation of government policy, on equal terms with men;

(b) To eliminate laws, regulations and practices that in a discriminatory manner prevent or restrict women from participating in the political process, and to implement positive measures that would accelerate the achievement of equality between men and women;

(c) To ensure equal access to education, property rights and inheritance rights, and to promote equal access to information technology and business and economic opportunities, including in international trade, in order to provide women with the tools that enable them to take part fully and equally in decision-making processes at all levels;

(d) To counter, as appropriate, negative societal attitudes about women’s capacity to participate equally in the political process that contribute to the low proportion of women among political decision makers at the local, national and international levels;

(e) To promote the goal of gender balance in all public positions, and to take all appropriate measures to encourage political parties to ensure that women have a fair and equal opportunity to compete for all elective and non-elective public positions;

(f) To review the differential impact of their electoral systems on the political representation of women in elected bodies and to adjust or reform those systems where appropriate;

(g) To institute educational programmes, as appropriate, in the school curriculum that sensitize young people about the equal rights of women, teach civic responsibilities, promote confidence-building and counter negative societal attitudes that discourage women’s political participation;

(h) To monitor progress in the representation of women through the regular collection, analysis and dissemination of data on the political participation of women and men at all levels and the progress of political parties in providing equal and fair opportunities for women to participate;

(i) To identify and propose more women candidates for senior and decision making positions in the United Nations system and for appointment or election to intergovernmental expert and treaty bodies, and to encourage more women to apply for those positions;

(j) To promote gender balance for their delegations to United Nations and other international meetings and conferences;

(k) To encourage greater involvement of indigenous and other marginalized women in decision-making at all levels and to address and counter the barriers faced by marginalized women in accessing and participating in politics and decision making;
[A/RES/58/142, UN General Assembly Resolution on Women and Political Participation, 6 November 2003]

Article 1. Women and men have an equal and vital interest in contributing to international peace and cooperation. To this end, women must be enabled to exercise their right to participate in the economic, social, cultural, civil and political affairs of society on an equal footing with men.

Article 12. All appropriate measures shall be taken to provide practical opportunities for the effective participation of women in promoting international peace and cooperation, economic development and social progress including, to that end:

(a) The promotion of an equitable representation of women in governmental and non-governmental functions;

(b) The promotion of equality of opportunities for women to enter diplomatic service;

(c) The appointment or nomination of women, on an equal basis with men, as members of delegations to national, regional or international meetings;

(d) Support for increased employment of women at all levels in the secretariats of the United Nations and the specialized agencies, in conformity with Article 101 of the Charter of the United Nations;
[General Assembly Declaration A/RES/37/63 on the Participation of Women in Promoting International Peace and Cooperation of 3 December 1982]

The General Assembly:
Aware that women, enjoying fully the rights provided for in the relevant international instruments, should play an equal role with men in all spheres of life, including the ensuring of peace and the strengthening of international security, and should fully participate in political life,
Confident that the relaxation of international tension contributes to the development and implementation of standards in all fields of concern to women,
3. Calls upon all States to promote vigorously wider participation of women in the strengthening of international peace and in extending the relaxation of international tensions contributing to the creation of the most favourable conditions for the complete elimination of discrimination against women.
[General Assembly Resolution 3521 calling on States to ratify international conventions and other instruments concerning the protection of women's rights, A/RES/3521 (XXX), 15 December 1975]

In a world of continuing instability and violence, the implementation of cooperative approaches to peace and security is urgently needed. The equal access and full participation of women in power structures and their full involvement in all efforts for the prevention and resolution of conflicts are essential for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. Although women have begun to play an important role in conflict resolution, peace- keeping and defense and foreign affairs mechanisms, they are still underrepresented in decision-making positions. If women are to play an equal part in securing and maintaining peace, they must be empowered politically and economically and represented adequately at all levels of decision-making.
[Beijing Platform for Action, Critical Area of Concern: Women and Armed Conflict, Para. 134, 1995]

Actions to be taken by Governments and international and regional intergovernmental institutions:
a. Take action to promote equal participation of women and equal opportunities for women to participate in all forums and peace activities at all levels, particularly at the decision-making level, including in the United Nations Secretariat with due regard to equitable geographical distribution in accordance with Article 101 of the Charter of the United Nations;
[Beijing Platform for Action, Strategic Objectives and Actions, E 1, Para. 142 a, 1995]

Strengthen the role of women and ensure equal representation of women at all decision-making levels in national and international institutions which may make or influence policy with regard to matters related to peace-keeping, preventive diplomacy and related activities and in all stages of peace mediation and negotiations, taking note of the specific recommendations of the Secretary-General in his strategic plan of action for the improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat (1995-2000) (A/49/587, sect. IV).
[Beijing Platform for Action, Strategic Objectives and Actions, E3, Para. 144 c, 1995]

(b ) Ensure and support the full participation of women at all levels of decision-making and implementation in development activities and peace processes, including conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict reconstruction, peacemaking, peacekeeping and peace-building, and in this regard, support the involvement of women’s organizations, community-based organizations and nongovernmental organizations;

(c) Encourage the involvement of women in decision-making at all levels and achieve gender balance in the appointment of women and men, with full respect for the principle of equitable geographical distribution, including, as special envoys and special representatives and in pursuing good offices on behalf of the Secretary-
General, inter alia , in matters relating to peacekeeping, peace-building and in operational activities, including as resident coordinators;
[Beijing +5, Section IV, C., Para. 86 b-c: Actions to be taken by the UN and international and regional orgs., 2000]

Encourage the implementation of measures designed to achieve the goal of 50/50 gender balance in all posts, including at the Professional level and above, in particular at the higher levels in their secretariats, including in peacekeeping missions, peace negotiations and in all activities, and report thereon, as appropriate, and enhance management accountability mechanisms.
[Beijing +5, Section IV, C., Para. 88: Actions to be taken by the UN and international and regional orgs., 2000]

89. Take measures, with the full participation of women, to create, at all levels, an enabling environment conducive to the achievement and maintenance of world peace, for democracy and peaceful settlement of disputes, with full respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of States and non-intervention in matters which are essentially within the jurisdiction of any State, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, as well as the promotion and protection of all human rights, including the right to development, and fundamental freedoms.
[Beijing +5, Section IV. C., Para. 89, 2000]

13. Calls on the Interim Authority and its successors to give high priority to the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and to respect fully the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls in accordance with international human rights law, to bring an end, without delay, all violations of the human rights of women and girls, and to take urgent measures to ensure:
(b) The full, equal and effective participation of women in civil, cultural, economic, political and social life throughout the country at all levels;
[E/CN.4/RES/2002/1, UN Commission on Human Rights, Resolution on the Situation of human rights in Afghanistan]

33. Recognizes the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building, the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security and the need to increase their role in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution, and urges the UN system and Governments to make further efforts in this regard and to take steps to ensure and support the full participation of women at all levels of decision-making and implementation in development activities and peace processes, including conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict reconstruction, peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peace-building, as well as through the integration of a gender perspective into those UN processes.
[E/CN.4/RES/2003/44, UN Commission on Human Rights, Resolution on Integrating the human rights of women throughout the UN system]

C. Increasing the participation of women in peacekeeping, peace-building, pre- and post-conflict decision-making, conflict prevention, post-conflict resolution and reconstruction
Actions to be taken by Governments and international and regional intergovernmental institutions:
• Increase, including through measures of affirmative action, women's participation and leadership in decision-making and in preventing conflict;
• Mainstream a gender perspective into peace-promoting activities at all levels as well as humanitarian and peace-building policies, including through gender analysis and the encouragement of the participation of more female personnel at all levels, in particular at senior or high levels in field missions, and monitor and review such policies as appropriate, on the basis of equitable geographical distribution where applicable;
• Recognize and support women's non-governmental organizations, particularly at the grass-roots level, in respect of their preventing conflict, including early warning and peace-building;
• Mainstream a gender perspective into bilateral and multilateral peace-building discussions and promotion of social development.

D. Preventing conflict and promoting a culture of peace Actions to be taken by Governments, the international community and civil society, as appropriate:
• Integrate a gender perspective into foreign policies and adjust policies accordingly;
• Support the establishment of women-for-peace networks;
Actions to be taken by the United Nations:
• Acknowledge and support the vital work of non-governmental organizations in the field of peace in efforts towards preventing conflict and for peace-building;
[The Commission on the Status of Women, Agreed Outcomes on Women and Armed Conflict: Report on the forty-second session (2-13 March 1998), Economic and Social Council Official Records, 1998, Supplement No. 7]

The Commission on the Status of Women Reaffirms the Beijing Platform for Action, 26/ notably chapter IV.E on women and armed conflict; Proposes the following, taking into account the Commission's conclusions on human rights of women, violence against women and the girl child, in order to accelerate the implementation of the strategic objectives of chapter IV.E:
Actions to be taken by Governments and international and regional intergovernmental institutions:
• Nominate and appoint more women as special representatives in conflict resolution, taking due consideration of the principle of equitable geographical distribution;
Recognize and support the work done by national machineries for the advancement of women and by non-governmental organizations and work towards mobilizing the action necessary to encourage the achievement by women of a critical mass at the national cabinet level in key ministries and departments and in international organizations that make or influence policy with regard to matters related to collective peace and security.
[Commission on the Status of Women, Report on the forty-second session (2-13 March 1998), Economic and Social Council E/CN.6/1998/12 - E/1998/27, Official Records, 1998, Supplement No. 7]

Non-Agreed, Helpful Language

D. Obligations in Peace Agreement Implementation: Women’s full and equal participation
Women’s full, equal and meaningful participation must be promoted at all levels of policy and decision-making, including in public service in the implementation of the peace agreement and subsequently in the post-conflict state. Institutionalization of democratic processes is supportive of this goal.
Building on the peace agreement, steps to achieve this need to include:
Ý Adoption of proactive special measures targeted at women to ensure their full and equal participation at all levels of policy and decision-making.
Ý Institutionalization of gender-sensitive criteria of merit in all decisions on hiring, promotion and appointments in the public sector. Reform of the public service sector to ensure women’s participation in public service, including by using special measures, and appointment of women to high-level positions.
Ý Provision of sufficient resources to cover the recurrent costs of the ministry of women’s affairs/gender equality and development, as well as for an ombudsperson’s office and for gender units/focal points within all national ministries.
[Expert Group Meeting on Peace Agreements as a Means for Promoting Gender Equality and Ensuring Participation of Women Report, Final Recommendations, EGM/PEACE/2003/, 10 December 2003]

4. We affirm that our cooperation in addressing traditional threats and new threats, concerns, and other challenges to security is also based on shared values and common approaches recognized in the Hemisphere.
Salient among them are:
h. The states of the Hemisphere reaffirm the importance of enhancing the participation of women in all efforts to promote peace and security, the need to increase women’s decision-making role at all levels in relation to conflict prevention, management, and resolution and to integrate a gender perspective in all policies, programs, and activities of all inter-American organs, agencies, entities, conferences, and processes that deal with matters of hemispheric security.
[Organization of American States, Declaration on Security in The Americas, Adopted at the third plenary session of October 28, 2003]

81. Despite the now wide recognition of the impact of war and its aftermath on women and girls, particularly in relation to sexual violence, and of the need to include women in peace-building, rape and sexual violence continue to be used as weapons of war and women continue to be excluded from almost all peace negotiations. Indeed, in today’s conflicts, women and girls are more and more often directly targeted. Clearly, this differential impact of conflict on women and girls calls for more effective responses from the international community. Much more needs to be done to make those involved in conflicts aware of relevant international laws and to punish those who violate them. By the same token, human rights and gender equality need to be given greater emphasis in reconstruction and peace-building efforts, with a view to creating more equitable and sustainable societies.

83. A higher priority for such strategies would be one of many benefits humanity could derive from the full inclusion of women in political decision-making and governance. As things stand, women in many parts of the world continue to be excluded from decision-making at all levels of government, or are given only token representation. Currently there are only 12 women serving as elected heads of State or Government, five women Vice-Presidents and four women leaders of the main opposition in their countries. The proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments stands at 15.1 per cent, representing a small increase of 0.6 per cent since 2002 and an increase of just under 2 per cent since 1990. This aggregate figure masks wide regional and sub-regional variations — from 40 per cent in the Nordic countries to 5.6 per cent in Western Asia. There is little systematic data on women’s representation at lower levels of government and in economic decision-making bodies, but anecdotal evidence suggests that the situation there is not much better. At all levels, specific support is needed to ensure that women can participate effectively.
[A/58/323, General Assembly, 58th session, Item 61 of the provisional agenda, Follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit: Implementation of the United Nations, Millennium Declaration Report of the Secretary-General, 2 September 2003]

As head of the UN effort in Timor-Leste, I saw the remarkable impact that promoting the participation of women can have in peace-building and development. We will pay increased attention to the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325, and particularly to the right of women to participate both in decision-making and in human rights activities. Women are a factor of stability and reconciliation; their contribution can improve the quality of decisions and thus the effectiveness of recovery efforts. Above all, we promote women's participation because women have an equal right to be involved in all decisions and because their input brings value added to all decisions.
[Sergio Vieira de Mello, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Intervention made before the UN Commission on the Status of Women, New York, 7 March 2003]

2. The Secretary-General should:
a) take urgent action to increase the number of female Special Representatives (SRSGs) drawing on the lists already provided by member states, as well as those forthcoming in the future.
b) similarly, take urgent steps to increase the number of women appointed to senior posts in the UN peace support missions.
c) appoint more women to senior decision-making posts and related to peacekeeping and peace-building in UN Headquarters (Department for Peacekeeping Operations and Department of Political Affairs).

3. Member States should:
a) present lists of qualified female candidates for SRSG and other senior positions in peace support missions.
b) follow-up the decisions taken on these lists.
[Building Capacities for Peacekeeping and Women’s Dimension in Peace Processes, Recommendations of the Joint European Union-Latin American and the Caribbean Conference, Margaret Anstee and Felicity Hill, 4-5 November 2002]

With regard to laws and customs that are inherently discriminatory, more complex and less physically violent, it is important that we also begin to confront and challenge some of these structures. Whether they be personal laws, religious laws or customary laws, their inequity is a serious challenge to the international human rights community. We must begin to deal with these issues in consultation with the women in the society concerned. In some of these contexts, it is also very important to avoid the "arrogant gaze of the outsider". We must evolve strategies that involve the full participation of women in the affected communities. After all the dignity of women is often linked to how their ethnic group or religious community is perceived and treated. Working with women's groups in these societies who are doing yeoman's work to fight for equality will probably be the most effective way to move forward. We must strengthen their work and their effectiveness because only change from within will truly be effective and long term.
[Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, its Causes and Consequences, On the Integration of the Human Rights of Women and the Gender Perspective, Violence Against Women, Item 12(a), Intervention before the UN Commission on Human Rights, 58th session, 10 April 2002]

States shall promote the full and equal participation of women in the political structures of their countries as a fundamental element in the promotion and exercise of a democratic culture.
[XXVIII Extraordinary General Assembly of the Organization of American States, Inter-American Democratic Charter, Article 28, 11 September 2001, Lima, Peru]

13. Calls on the Member States to promote equal participation of women in diplomatic conflict resolution and reconstruction initiatives at all levels, and to that end:
(a) recruit more women to the diplomatic services of Member States,
(b) train women within the diplomatic corps of Member States in negotiation, facilitation and mediation skills, creating rosters of qualified women for peace and security related assignments,
(c) nominate more women to international diplomatic assignments, specifically to senior positions (UN special representatives, peace commissions, fact-finding missions, etc.),
(d) increase the percentage of women in delegations to national, regional and international meetings concerned with peace and security, as well as in formal peace negotiations,
[European Parliament resolution on participation of women in peaceful conflict resolution, Paras. 13 a-d, 30 November 2000]

• In accordance with the Secretary-General’s target of 50 per cent women in managerial and decision-making positions, more determining efforts must be made to select and appoint female Special Representative of Secretary-General and senior field staff for peace support operations.
• A comprehensive database with information specifically on female candidate with their qualifications, both military and civilian, should be maintained.
• An advisory Board should be set up within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), preferably with qualified external participation, to ensure that this database and existing lists of female candidates are given due consideration.
[The Namibia Plan of Action on Mainstreaming a Gender Perspective in Multidimensional Peace Support Operations, On Leadership, 31 May 2000]

• Analysing the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) mechanisms for defence and security from a gender perspective to assess the level of support given to women in their policy and institutional frameworks and their impact on the peace networks;
• Advocating for an affirmative action policy that guarantees at least 30% representation of women in decision-making mechanisms at all levels;
• Establishing an observatory for peace and democratic governance;
[Sixth African Regional Conference on Women in Addis Ababa, African Women’s Concern for Peace, Integrating women in decision-making and changing the mainstream perspective of security issues to include a gender perspective, 22 to 27 November, 1999]

We, the participants of the Sixth African Regional Conference on Women, representing governments and civil society; meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 22-26 November, 1999,
Reaffirming the commitments made in Dakar and Beijing to the empowerment and advancement of women, their full participation in decision-making processes and access to resources;
Reaffirming also the explicit recognition of the inherent dignity and equal rights of women and men;
Convinced that:
• The full participation of women in decision -making will bring about an equitable sharing of resources and sustainable human development to the African Renaissance.
We therefore urge all stakeholders in development on the African continent, including international organisations to:
• Redouble efforts to achieve peace and human security in Africa and, recognising the catalytic role of women in local peace initiatives, to ensure their equal participation and influence in peace processes at higher national and regional levels,
[Declaration of the Sixth African Regional Conference on Women, Mid-Term Review of the Implementation of the Dakar and Beijing Platforms for Action, 22-26 November, 1999, Addis Ababa]

We, Women of Africa,
7. Commit ourselves to promote human rights as well as non-violent means of conflict prevention by supporting networks for:
· Detection and response to early warning systems;
· Conflict resolution harmonised with traditional African mediation strategies;
· Co-ordination of efforts to strengthen women's capacity for peace building.

8. Therefore, urgently appeal to all African governments, the OAU, other regional and sub-regional bodies and organisations such as the African Women Committee for Peace and Development (AWCPD), the international community, including the UN system, to take prompt and effective action to enforce equitable representation of women in decision making processes, notably in the areas of conflict prevention, management, resolution and peace negotiation.

16. Invite our governments, the private sector, civil society, sisters and brothers of African descent and the international community to support the peace movement of Africa and to contribute to the strengthening of African women's capacities to sensitise, mobilise and reconcile the entire continent to the importance of peaceful means of conflict prevention, resolution and transformation.
[Pan-African Women's Conference on a Culture of Peace in Zanzibar, Zanzibar Declaration United Republic of Tanzania, 17-20 May 1999]

6. Promote Gender Justice
The costs of the machismo that still pervades most societies are high for men whose choices are limited by this standard, and for women who experience continual violence both in war and in peace. The Hague Appeal for Peace supports:
• The active participation of women in significant numbers in all decision and policy-making forums.
[The Hague Agenda for Peace and Justice for the 21st Century, A/54/98, 20 May 1999]

We encourage the women of Rwanda and other African women, to participate actively in the affairs of their nations and increase the number of women in Parliaments and other spheres of decision-making.
Knowing that no meaningful development nor peace initiatives will take place without the participation of women, we call upon the Governments of the Great Lake Region as well as all governments of Africa, to ensure the involvement of women in all decision-making, including peace and conflict resolution.
We note that some countries have already enforced affirmative actions for women. Therefore, we urge leaders to follow suit.
We urge SADC, OAU and other African Groupings, to involve experienced and qualified women in peace-building, conflict resolution and in the decision-making that affect Africa and the respective nations.
[Kigali Declaration, Women Parliamentarians and Peace-building in the Great Lakes Region, Regional Consultation, Kigali, 10 February 1998]

77. The expert group meeting emphasized that all relevant international bodies, including the International Law Commission, the ad hoc War Crimes Tribunals, the ICC, the human rights treaty bodies, and extra-conventional human rights mechanisms should reflect an equitable gender balance at all levels. The recruitment, appointment and promotion of all staff, including at the ad hoc War Crimes Tribunals, and the ICC should be transparent and governed by the policy statements of the Secretary-General with respect to gender balance within UN agencies. The same principles should apply to seconded personnel. States should be required to conform to the policies of gender balance, gender integration and gender mainstreaming agreed in the Platform for Action, resolutions of the General Assembly, and the 1997 agreed conclusions of ECOSOC on gender mainstreaming50/in general. Gender balance in international judicial posts should be an explicitly stated goal, and a consideration in judicial appointment alongside the existing requirements of geographic distribution, and professional and personal qualities. Networks to identify appropriate candidates should be established, and databases maintained, by the Division for the Advancement of Women. The OHCHR and the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women should develop pro-active roles in monitoring these policies.
[Report of the Secretary-General on the thematic issues before the Commission on the Status of Women, Women and Armed Conflict, On training, education and dissemination, 23 January 1998]

To ensure that the national machineries responsible for the advancement of women have sufficient resources and authority to ensure that all development policies and programs include women, recognize their contribution to development and enable them to participate equally in its benefits. The basic functions of these national machineries should be preparing studies on the status of women, formulation of policies, coordination, follow-up, and evaluation of those policies.
[Strategic Plan of Action of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), Presented at the Fourth World Conference on Women, Strategies: National Machinery Responsible for the Advancement of Women, Beijing, China, September 1995]

The World Conference on Human Rights Deeply concerned by various forms of discrimination and violence, to which women continue to be exposed all over the world,
I.18. The full and equal participation of women in political, civil, economic, social and cultural life, at the national, regional and international levels, and the eradication of all forms of discrimination on grounds of sex are priority objectives of the international community.
[World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, A/CONF.157/23, 12 July 1993]

II.B.43. The World Conference on Human Rights urges Governments and regional and international organizations to facilitate the access of women to decision-making posts and their greater participation in the decision-making process. It encourages further steps within the United Nations Secretariat to appoint and promote women staff members in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, and encourages other principal and subsidiary organs of the United Nations to guarantee the participation of women under conditions of equality.
[World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, A/CONF.157/23, 12 July 1993]

Recognizing the importance of active participation and integration of women in the region in sharing the future development and progress of ASEAN and the necessity of meeting the needs and aspiration of women in the ASEAN Member Countries;
1. To promote and implement the equitable and effective participation of women whenever possible in all fields and at various levels of the political, economic, social and cultural life of society at the national, regional and international levels.

2. To enable women in the region to undertake their important role as active agents and beneficiaries of national and regional development, particularly in promoting regional understanding and cooperation and in building more just and peaceful societies.
[Declaration of the Advancement of Women in the ASEAN Region, Bangkok, Thailand, 5 July 1988]

F. Measures for the implementation of the basic strategies at the national level
1. Women's participation in efforts for peace

Para. 266: Women should be able to participate actively in the decision-making process related to the promotion of international peace and co-operation. Emphasis should be given to the grass-roots participation and co-operation of women's organizations with other non-governmental organizations in this process.

Para. 267:Governments which have not done so should undertake all appropriate measures to eliminate existing discriminatory practices towards women and to provide them with equal opportunities to join, at all levels, the civil service, to enter the diplomatic service and to represent their countries as members of delegations to national, regional and international meetings, including conferences on peace, conflict resolution, disarmament, and meetings of the Security Council and other United Nations bodies.
[The Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women from the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, held in Nairobi from 15 to 26 July 1985, A/Conf.116/28/Rev.1, 1986]

Para. 33: In accordance with their obligations under the Charter to maintain peace and security and to achieve international cooperation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, bearing in mind, in this respect, the right to live in peace, States should help women to participate in promoting international cooperation for the sake of the preparation of societies for a life in peace.

Para. 76: Women of the entire world should participate in the broadest way in the struggle to strengthen international peace and security, to broaden international cooperation and develop friendly relations among nations, to achieve detente in international relations and disarmament, to establish a new economic order in international relations, to promote guarantees of fundamental freedoms and human rights

Para. 77: Solidarity campaigns with women struggling against colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, racial discrimination and apartheid and for national independence and liberation should be intensified; such women should receive all possible assistance, including support from agencies of the United Nations system as well as other organizations.

Paragraph 78. The efforts of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to strengthen international peace and security should be intensified in every way. The active participation of women in the activities of such organizations should be supported.
[Report of the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, held in Copenhagen from 14 to 30 July 1980, A/CONF.94/35]

Recalling that discrimination against women violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity, is an obstacle to the participation of women, on equal terms with men, in the political, social, economic and cultural life of their countries, hampers the growth of the prosperity of society and the family and makes more difficult the full development of the potentialities of women in the service of their countries and of humanity,...
Convinced that the full and complete development of a country, the welfare of the world and the cause of peace require the maximum participation of women on equal terms with men in all fields,...

4 (1.) Adoption by States Parties of temporary special measures aimed at accelerating de facto equality between men and women shall not be considered discrimination as defined in the present Convention, but shall in no way entail as a consequence the maintenance of unequal or separate standards; these measures shall be discontinued when the objectives of equality of opportunity and treatment have been achieved.

7 (b, c) States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country and, in particular, shall ensure to women, on equal terms with men, the right:
(b) To participate in the formulation of government policy and the implementation thereof and to hold public office and perform all public functions at all levels of government;
(c) To participate in non-governmental organizations and associations concerned with the public and political life of the country.

8. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure to women, on equal terms with men and without any discrimination, the opportunity to represent their Governments at the international level and to participate in the work of international organizations.
[Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Preamble and Articles 4(1.) and 7(b.-c.) and 8, 1979]

Recognizing also the urgency of improving the status of women and finding more effective methods and strategies which will enable them to have the same opportunities as men to participate actively in the development of their countries and to contribute to the attainment of world peace,
Convinced that women must play an important role in the promotion, achievement and maintenance of international peace, and that it is necessary to encourage their efforts towards peace, through their full participation in the national and international organizations that exist for this purpose,
Women have a vital role to play in the promotion of peace in all spheres of life: in the family, the community, the nations and the world. As such, women must participate equally with men in the decision-making processes, which help to promote peace at all levels.

Plans of Action
• Women should have equal opportunity with men to represent their countries in all international forums where the above questions are discussed, and in particular at meetings of the organization of the United Nations system, including the Security Council and all conferences on disarmament and international peace, and other regional bodies.
[UN World Conference on Women; Declaration of Mexico on the Equality of Women and Their Contribution to Development and Peace, 1975]

WOMEN’S EQUAL PARTICIPATION IN EARLY WARNING AND PREVENTION OF ARMED CONFLICT

Agreed Language

General Assembly conclusions and recommendations on the prevention of armed conflict; On Role of Member States
13. Also stresses the important role that women, in their various capacities, and with their expertise, training and knowledge, can play with regard to the prevention of armed conflict, in all its aspects, and calls for the strengthening of that role in all relevant institutions at the national, regional and international levels;
[United Nations General Assembly Resolution 57/337, 18 July 2003]

General Assembly conclusions and recommendations on the prevention of armed conflict; On Role of Security Council
30. Encourages the Security Council to give, as appropriate, greater attention to gender perspectives in all its activities aimed at the prevention of armed conflict;
[United Nations General Assembly Resolution 57/337, 18 July 2003]

17. Reiterates its recognition of the role of women in conflict prevention and requests the Secretary-General to give greater attention to gender perspectives in the implementation of peacekeeping and peace-building mandates as well as in conflict prevention efforts;
[S/RES/1366, Security Council Resolution on the Role of the Security Council in the Prevention of Armed Conflict, 30 August 2001]

The Council further reaffirms its strong support for increasing the role of women in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution and renews its call on States to include women in the negotiations and implementation of peace accords, constitutions and strategies for resettlement and rebuilding and to take measures to support local women’s groups and indigenous processes for conflict resolution. In this regard it recognizes the efforts of the Mano River Women’s Peace Network in facilitating peace and dialogue in the Mano River Union region. It is also encouraged by the inclusion of women in the political decision-making bodies in Burundi, Somalia and in East Timor.
[S/PRST/2001/31, Security Council Presidential Statement, Women and peace and security, Para. 2, 31 October 2001]

The Security Council recognizes the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building. It stresses the importance of their increased participation in all aspects of the conflict prevention and resolution process.
[S/PRST/2000/25, Role of the Security Council in the prevention of armed conflicts, Security Council Presidential Statement, 20 July 2000]

8. Requests human rights treaty bodies, other special rapporteurs responsible for various human rights questions, UN bodies and organs, specialized agencies and intergovernmental and nongovernmental, including women’s organizations, to cooperate with and assist the Special Rapporteur in the performance of her mandated tasks and duties, in particular to respond to her requests for information on violence against women, its causes and consequences, and to address the issue of violence against women in custody and in times of armed conflict.
[E/CN.4/RES/1998/52, UN Commission on Human Rights, Resolution on the Elimination of violence against women]

Taking into account that a culture of peace actively fosters nonviolence and respect for human rights, strengthens solidarity among peoples and dialogue between cultures, and promotes democratic participation and the right to development of women and men on an equal footing,
Recognizing that culture is an integral whole and a basis for the intellectual development of all human beings, and affirming the need for access, on an equal basis, by children, men and women, including the elderly, to the science of knowledge, in particular to an education for peace…
4. Reiterates its invitation to States to promote a culture of peace …wider participation of women, and equal opportunities for all, as an integral approach to preventing violence in its diverse manifestations;
[E/CN.4/RES/1999/6, UN Commission on Human Right resolution on Towards a Culture of Peace]

The Commission on the Status of Women Reaffirms the Beijing Platform for Action, 26/ notably chapter IV.E on women and armed conflict; Proposes the following, taking into account the Commission's conclusions on human rights of women, violence against women and the girl child, in order to accelerate the implementation of the strategic objectives of chapter IV.E:
Actions to be taken by Governments and international and regional intergovernmental institutions:
• Increase, including through measures of affirmative action, women's participation and leadership in decision-making and in preventing conflict;
• Recognize and support women's non-governmental organizations, particularly at the grass-roots level, in respect of their preventing conflict, including early warning and peace-building;
• Enhance the role of women in bilateral preventive diplomacy efforts as well as those undertaken by the United Nations in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations;
• Support the establishment of women-for-peace networks;
Continue to make resources available nationally and internationally for prevention of conflict and ensure women's participation in the elaboration and implementation of strategies for preventing conflict;
[Commission on the Status of Women, Report on the forty-second session (2-13 March 1998), Economic and Social Council E/CN.6/1998/12 - E/1998/27, Official Records, 1998, Supplement No. 7]


Non-Agreed, Helpful Language

Interim report of the Secretary-General on the prevention of armed conflict:
Role of women
23. The United Nations system is increasingly recognizing the need to prioritize the positive and proactive role that women can play in ensuring lasting peace in crisis situations. United Nations agencies are engaged in supporting legal and constitutional reforms that promote the role of women and in working with governmental and civil society organizations to support the role of women in Peacebuilding in places such as Rwanda and Afghanistan. Additional efforts will need to be made to ensure the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security.
[A/58/365–S/2003/888, Report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization, Item 10 of the provisional agenda, 23, 12 September 2003]

Increase access to information from women’s groups and networks on indicators of impending conflict as a means to ensure effective gender-sensitive early warning mechanisms.
[Secretary-General Study on Women, Peace and Security, Chapter 4, Action 8, p 72, 2002]

Intergovernmental and regional organizations to strengthen and expand women’s role in conflict prevention and peace-building. To this end, the UN together with regional organizations should convene an Expert Group Meeting to improve collaboration, share information and develop expertise.
[UNIFEM Independent Experts’ Assessment, Women, War and Peace, Chapter 9 Action 6, p 147, 2002]

Mainstreaming
a) Indicators
• Consult women and women’s organizations on how they can participate in early warning systems, particularly in the development of indicators, provision of data and development of response options.

b) Involving key stakeholders
• Consult gender experts in key institutions (OSCE, UNDPA, OCHA, UN agencies, EU Policy Planning and Early Warning Unit, FEWER and other NGOs) to promote the mainstreaming of gender-sensitive early warning as a constructive and essential component of gender mainstreaming.
• Work with early warning focal points at the UN and other intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organisations to engage them in debate around improving the effectiveness of early warning systems on an ongoing basis.
• Support the development of regional early warning systems that – through their proximity to the grass-roots level – increases the likelihood of involving women and women's organisations into the process. However, dependency on external systems needs to be avoided by linking these regional systems to networks based elsewhere to verify and analyse information.

d) Decision-making
• Involve gender-sensitive personnel in the design, implementation and management of early warning systems at local, national, regional and international levels.

f) Procedures
• Develop the outcomes of research and consultations into operational guidelines for practitioners.
• Create mechanisms for the rapid availability of resources to women’s organizations as means for effective response.

g) Training
• Provide gender-sensitive early warning training to actors engaged in early warning systems and processes, including data gathering, analysis, response options and response.
[Gender and Conflict Early Warning: A Framework for Action, Susanne Schmeidl with Eugenia Piza-Lopez, International Alert and FEWER, Recommendations, July 2002]

The G8:
Emphasizes the importance of the systemic involvement of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding, as well as women's full and equal participation in all phases of conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding.
[G8 Rome Initiative on Conflict Prevention: Strengthening the Role of Women in Conflict Prevention, Rome, 18-19 July 2001]

134. …The threats to all citizens, especially women, in conflict situations have underscored the need to incorporate gender analysis into early warning activities and the opportunity for preventive measures to strengthen women’s protection. For a number of years, the Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Political Affairs, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNDP and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) have supported the incorporation of gender perspectives in peace support operations, through encouraging the participation of women in conflict prevention actions and providing assistance to women in conflict and post-conflict situations.
[A/55/985–S/2001/574, Report of Secretary-General, Prevention of Armed Conflict, 7 June 2001]

An essential aspect of conflict prevention is the strengthening of the rule of law, and within that the protection of women’s human rights achieved through a focus on gender equality in constitutional, legislative, judicial and electoral reform.
[A/55/985–S/2001/574, Report of Secretary-General, Prevention of Armed Conflict, 7 June 2001]

Recommendation 24
I encourage the Security Council, in accordance with its resolution 1325 (2000), to give greater attention to gender perspectives in its conflict prevention and peace-building efforts.
[A/55/985–S/2001/574, Report of Secretary-General, Prevention of Armed Conflict, 7 June 2001]

15. Stresses that current conflicts demand the increased use of non-military crisis-management, which means that new non-military skills are required of peacekeepers, resulting in enhanced opportunities for women, and calls on the Member States and the Council to:
(a) include women in all reconciliation, peacekeeping, peace-enforcement, peace building, and conflict preventive posts - including fact-finding and observer missions - in which Member States participate,

18. Stresses the importance of active local involvement in the peace and reconciliation process; and calls upon the Member States and the Commission to:
(a) support the creation and strengthening of non-governmental organisations, including women's organisations, active in conflict prevention and in post-conflict peace and reconstruction work,
(b) work towards the education of women's organisations in non-violent conflict resolution;
[European Parliament resolution on participation of women in peaceful conflict resolution, Paras. 15a. 18a-b, 30 November 2000]

REFUGEE AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED WOMEN’S EQUAL PARTICIPATION IN PEACE-BUILDING

Agreed Language

Actions to be taken:
147. By Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and other institutions involved in providing protection, assistance and training to refugee women, other displaced women in need of international protection and internally displaced women, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Food Programme, as appropriate:

a. Take steps to ensure that women are fully involved in the planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all short-term and long-term projects and programmes providing assistance to refugee women, other displaced women in need of international protection and internally displaced women, including the management of refugee camps and resources; ensure that refugee and displaced women and girls have direct access to the services provided;

m. Raise public awareness of the contribution made by refugee women to their countries of resettlement, promote understanding of their human rights and of their needs and abilities and encourage mutual understanding and acceptance through educational programmes promoting cross-cultural and interracial harmony;
[Beijing Platform for Action, Strategic Objectives and Actions, E5, Para. 147 a and m, 1995]

g) Improve and strengthen the capacity of women affected by situations of armed conflict, including women refugees and displaced women, by, inter alia, involving them in the design and management of humanitarian activities so that they benefit from these activities on an equal basis with men.
[Beijing + 5, Section IV, D, Para. 99 g: Action to be taken at the National and International Levels, 2000]

12. Calls upon all parties to armed conflict to respect the civilian and humanitarian character of refugee camps and settlements, and to take into account the particular needs of women and girls, including in their design, and recalls its resolution 1208 (1998) of 19 November 1998;
[UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, Para. 12]

Increase their efforts to respond to the specific needs of refugee women, in particular those long-term refugees, as well as displaced women, in the areas of education, health, physical safety, social services, skills training, employment and income-generating activities, and to involve refugee women in the planning and implementation of such programmes;
[E/RES/34/2/1990, UN Commission on Human Rights, Actions to be taken by governments, relevant United Nations agencies, and concerned non-governmental organizations]

6. Ensure the full participation of refugee and displaced women in the process of assessing their own needs and in the planning and implementing of programmes;
[E/RES/1991/23: Actions to be taken by Member States and the organizations concerned]


Non-Agreed, Helpful Language

Identify and Engage Actors: Begin the process by identifying the relevant actors and inviting them to a discussion meeting or a series of meetings. Depending on the number of people, languages, and culture of participation, you may choose to have a series of meetings or discussions with focus groups organised along same sex, age group and ethnic group lines, rather than just one meeting. These discussions should invite participation; therefore a moderate size group of between 15 and 20 persons is preferable to a larger gathering. Over the course of the process, the participation of women, men, youth, leaders and members of special interest groups within the community is likely to yield the best results.

Key actors will likely include representatives from at least the following:
• Refugee leaders, both male and female.
• Refugee women’s and youth groups….

Agree on Monitoring and Evaluation Systems, Including Coordinated Reporting and Referral Mechanisms: Mechanisms should be developed to monitor and evaluate prevention and response interventions. These should be co-ordinated by all actors and with the involvement of the community, especially refugee women, men and youth. Ongoing monitoring ensures that prevention and response interventions are developing as planned. Evaluations help to identity the protection impact of prevention and response strategies on refugee women, men, boys and girls.
[UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Sexual and Gender-based Violence Against Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons, Guidelines for Prevention and Response, pages 87, 92, May 2003]

1. Women have the right to a peaceful existence and the right to participate in the promotion and maintenance of peace.

2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure the increased participation of women:
c) in the local, national, regional, continental and international decision making structures to ensure physical, psychological, social and legal protection of asylum seekers, refugees, returnees and displaced persons, in particular women;
d) in all levels of the structures established for the management of camps and settlements for asylum seekers, refugees, returnees and displaced persons, in particular, women;
[Protocol To The African Charter On Human And Peoples' Rights On The Rights Of Women In Africa, Article 10: Right to Peace, 2003]

Increase the participation of women and girls, fully utilize their capacities, and give attention to their needs and priorities from the initial stages of programming and service delivery and advocacy activities in humanitarian crises, in order to optimize the benefits for women and girls
[Secretary-General’s Study on Women, Peace and Security, Chapter 6, Action 2, p 106, 2002]

Refugee and internally displaced women to play a key role in camp planning, management and decision-making so that gender issues are taken into account in all aspects, especially resource distribution, security and protection
[UNIFEM Independent Experts’ Assessment, Women, War and Peace, Chapter 2, Action 3, p 141, 2002]

Women to be involved in all aspects of repatriation and resettlement planning and implementation. Special measures should be put in place to ensure women’s security in this process and to ensure voluntary, unhindered repatriation that takes place under conditions of safety and dignity, with full respect for human rights and the rule of law
[UNIFEM Independent Experts’ Assessment, Women, War and Peace, Chapter 2, Action 4, p 141, 2002]

The G8:
Commits, where appropriate, to the integration of a gender perspective, and to the participation of women in the development, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of bilateral and multilateral assistance programmes.
[G8 Rome Initiative on Conflict Prevention: Strengthening the Role of Women in Conflict Prevention, Rome, 18-19 July 2001]

9. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to integrate a gender perspective in the planning of refugee camps under their funding auspices, and to that end:
(c) secure the right of women refugees to self-determination through appropriate economic opportunities and equal representation in refugee committees and other decision-making bodies in refugee camps,
[European Parliament resolution on participation of women in peaceful conflict resolution, Para. 9c, 30 November 2000]

4. In the context of humanitarian assistance, this implies embracing principles such as:
b) equal representation of women and men in peace mediation and decision-making at all levels and stages of humanitarian assistance;
c) integration of a gender perspective and participation of women's organizations in capacity building in humanitarian response, as well as in the rehabilitation and recovery phase.

Commitments to Action
5. In order to achieve the above-mentioned principles, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee commits itself to ensuring that its member organizations take the following actions:
a) Formulate specific strategies for ensuring that gender issues are brought into the mainstream of activities within the IASC areas of responsibility. Priority areas are: assessment and strategic planning for humanitarian crisis; the consolidated appeals process; principled approach to emergencies; and participation of women in the planning, designing and monitoring of all aspects of emergency programs;
[XXI Meeting of the UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee, Policy statement for the integration of a gender perspective in humanitarian assistance, Background Document for Item 7, Items 4b-c and 5a, Geneva, 31 May 1999]

62. Member States, international and regional intergovernmental organizations and others should ensure that the design of camps for refugees and those who are internally displaced is in accordance with the 1995 UNHCR guidelines on preventing and responding to sexual violence against refugee women which seek to minimize the opportunities for sexual and other forms of violence against women.
Steps should also be taken to ensure that women are closely involved in the distribution of humanitarian supplies to ensure their needs are taken into account.
[Report of the Secretary-General on the thematic issues before the Commission on the Status of Women, Women and Armed Conflict, 23 January 1998]

11. To understand fully and address the protection concerns of refugee women, they themselves must participate in planning protection and assistance activities. Programmes which are not planned in consultation with the beneficiaries, nor implemented with their participation, cannot be effective. Since a large proportion of refugees are women, many solely responsible for their dependent children, it is essential that they be involved in planning and delivery of assistance activities if these are to be properly focused on their needs.

12. Participation itself promotes protection. Internal protection problems are often due as much to people's feelings of isolation, frustration, lack of belonging to a structured society and lack of control over their own future as they are to any other form of social problem. This may be particularly evident in overcrowded camp conditions. Refugee participation helps build the values and sense of community that contribute to reducing protection problems.

13. Relief officials often point to cultural constraints in involving women in decision-making, particularly where women have had a limited role in the country of origin. Looking to women as decision-makers under these circumstances, they argue, amounts to tampering with the culture of the group.

14. These relief officials may, however, have only a superficial understanding of the socio-cultural roles of women. Their concerns may reflect the cultural biases of the officials and/or inadequate understanding of both the traditional cultures and the new circumstances in which refugee women find themselves. Prior to flight, women typically have opportunities to express their concerns and needs, sometimes through their husbands and other times through traditional support networks. In refugee camps, however, many women are unable to participate through such traditional mechanisms as these have broken down. Alternative arrangements must be made to ensure that their voices are heard and the perspectives that they have to offer are included in decision-making. It is essential, therefore, that organizations working with refugees recognize that special initiatives may be needed so that refugee women have the opportunity to contribute to activities being planned.
Possible programme interventions: Participation of refugee women

44. Involve refugee women in decisions affecting their security. Among the decisions about which refugee women should be consulted are: identification of particularly risky situations; mechanisms to improve the reporting of physical and sexual protection problems; programmes for improving protection that build upon traditional protection mechanisms that have proven themselves beneficial and avoid harmful practices; improvements in camp design and implementation of assistance programmes to ensure greater safety; and programmes for addressing the needs of victims.

Internal camp legal codes and processes:
51. Review legal codes and processes adopted in camps to make sure that protection problems affecting refugee women are covered and that women have equal access to the remedies provided in these courts. Encourage adoption of rules governing these situations, encourage the participation of refugee women in planning and implementation of the procedures, and provide training to those administering them.
[UN High Commissioner for Refugees Guidelines on the Protection of Refugee Women, 1991]

In the broadest sense, a UNHCR programme or project which mainstreams refugee women should attempt to:-
• Achieve greater involvement of refugee women both as participants and beneficiaries in the social and economic activities of the project;
• Increase their status and participation in the community/society;
• Provide a catalyst through which they can have access to better employment, education, services and opportunities in their society;
Underling these broad definition is the assumption that refugee women are participating or should participate at all levels of projects and program development, from the initial identification of resources and needs to the evaluation stage.
[UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Policy on Refugee Women, 1990]

Principle 18: All internally displaced persons have the right to an adequate standard of living. At the minimum, regardless of the circumstances, and without discrimination, competent authorities shall provide internally displaced persons with and ensure safe access to:
Essential food and potable water; Basic shelter and housing; Appropriate clothing; and Essential medical services and sanitation.
Special efforts should be made to ensure the full participation of women in the planning and distribution of these basic supplies.
[Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, Principle 18, 1998, E/CN.4/1998/53/Add.2, annex]

WOMEN’S EQUAL PARTICIPATION IN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

Agreed Language

9. Reaffirms the importance of a gender perspective in peacekeeping operations in accordance with resolution 1325 (2000), recalls the need to address violence against women and girls as a tool of warfare, and in this respect encourages MONUC to continue to actively address this issue; and calls on MONUC to increase the deployment of women as military observers as well as in other capacities;
[S/RES/1493, UN Security Council Resolution on the Democratic Republic of Congo, Para. 9, 28 July 2003]

5. Requests that in addition to the recommendations made in the Secretary- General’s report regarding the organization of MINUCI, in particular its reference to the human rights components of the mission, special attention be given to the gender component within the staff of MINUCI and to the situation of women and girls, consistent with resolution 1325 (2000);
[S/RES/1479, UN Security Council Resolution on Côte d’Ivoire, Para. 5, 13 May 2003]

3. Urges the Secretary-General to appoint more women as special representatives and envoys to pursue good offices on his behalf, and in this regard calls on Member States to provide candidates to the Secretary-General, for inclusion in a regularly updated centralized roster;

4. Further urges the Secretary-General to seek to expand the role and contribution of women in United Nations field-based operations, and especially among military observers, civilian police, human rights and humanitarian personnel;

5. Expresses its willingness to incorporate a gender perspective into peacekeeping operations and urges the Secretary-General to ensure that, where appropriate, field operations include a gender component;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to provide to Member States training guidelines and materials on the protection, rights and the particular needs of women, as well as on the importance of involving women in all peacekeeping and peace-building measures, invites Member States to incorporate these elements as well as HIV/AIDS awareness training into their national training programmes for military and civilian police personnel in preparation for deployment and further requests the Secretary-General to ensure that civilian personnel of peacekeeping operations receive similar training;
[S/RES/1325, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, Paras. 3, 4, 5, 6]

The Security Council renews its support for gender-sensitive training guidelines and material on the protection, rights and the particular needs of women, as well as on the importance of involving women in all peacekeeping and peace-building measures. The Council calls upon all troop-contributing countries to include these elements in their national training programmes for peacekeepers.
[S/PRST/2001/31, Security Council Presidential Statement, Women and peace and security: Para. 5, 31 October 2001]

(d ) Provide gender-sensitive training to all actors, as appropriate, in peacekeeping missions in dealing with victims, particularly women and girls, of violence, including sexual violence;
[Beijing + 5, Section IV, C., Para. 84 d: Actions to be taken by the UN and international and regional orgs., 2000]

Encourage the implementation of measures designed to achieve the goal of 50/50 gender balance in all posts, including at the Professional level and above, in particular at the higher levels in their secretariats, including in peacekeeping missions, peace negotiations and in all activities, and report thereon, as appropriate, and enhance management accountability mechanisms.
[Beijing +5, Section IV, C., Para. 88: Actions to be taken by the UN and international and regional orgs., 2000]

The Commission on the Status of Women Reaffirms the Beijing Platform for Action, 26/ notably chapter IV.E on women and armed conflict; Proposes the following, taking into account the Commission's conclusions on human rights of women, violence against women and the girl child, in order to accelerate the implementation of the strategic objectives of chapter IV.E:

Actions to be taken by Governments and international and regional intergovernmental institutions:
Develop and implement innovative strategies to increase the participation of women in peacekeeping operations and invite the Secretary-General to analyse their effectiveness in his reports on peacekeeping operations, if appropriate, based on an expert group meeting;
[Commission on the Status of Women, Report on the forty-second session (2-13 March 1998), Economic and Social Council E/CN.6/1998/12 - E/1998/27, Official Records, 1998, Supplement No. 7]

Non-Agreed, Helpful Language

B. Recommendations for Action:
Peace Agreements

36. (a) Request that all troop-contributing States: recruit and hire a minimum of 30 percent women, including higher-level positions, for deployment; have and comply with a code of conduct that has a significant gender component and implement training in human rights, gender equality and the code of conduct before deployment;…

37.(a) Provide ongoing protection and security for women and girls under threat of physical violence and ensure their freedom of movement and participation in social, political and economic activities;
[E/CN.6/2004/10, Report of the Secretary-General on the thematic issue before the Commission on the Status of Women, Women’s Equal Participation in Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution and in Post-Conflict Peace-building, 22 December 2003]

B. Obligations of Content of Peace Agreements with Regard to Security- Legal, Political and Physical Security
3.1 Security forces
Where provisions are made in peace agreements for the deployment of international/regional peacekeeping forces, compliance with the following principles and indicated actions must be spelled out:

Ensure that all troop contributing states:
• Recruit and hire a minimum of 30 per cent women, including in higher-level positions, for deployment.
Ensure that all security forces take the following actions:
• Provide security to ensure that women and girls can be active members of the society (e.g. access to education/health facilities, markets etc.).
[Expert Group Meeting on Peace Agreements as a Means for Promoting Gender Equality and Ensuring Participation of Women Report, Final Recommendations, EGM/PEACE/2003/, 10 December 2003]

Develop a year plan to ensure that one third of UNMO’S (Military Observers) are female.
[Building Capacities for Peacekeeping and Women’s Dimension in Peace Processes, Recommendations of the Joint European Union-Latin American and the Caribbean Conference, Colonel Annette Leijenaar, 4-5 November 2002]

3. Request DPKO to compile all HR statistics especially those of troop-contributing countries (TCC) indicating gender balances of different levels. This should be available on the web.

4. Request DPKO (Mil Div) to request TCC’s to provide names of identified/suitable senior female candidates.

5. Obtain services of consultant to develop strategy and implement plans (achievable) to get a more attainable gender balance.

6. Identify core group of women to develop and stimulate “women in Peacekeeping” network.

1. The Security Council should:
b) ensure that gender experts and expertise be included in all levels and aspects of peace operations, including in technical surveys, the design and concept of operation, training, staffing and programmes.
d) ensure that all peacekeeping operations are mandated to consult and collaborate with local women’s groups to address gender issues in the peacekeeping environment

2. The Secretary-General should:
a) take urgent action to increase the number of female Special Representatives (SRSGs) drawing on the lists already provided by member states, as well as those forthcoming in the future
b) similarly, take urgent steps to increase the number of women appointed to senior posts in the UN peace support missions
c) appoint more women to senior decision-making posts and related to peacekeeping and peace-building in UN Headquarters (DPKO and DPA)

3. Member States should:
a) present lists of qualified female candidates for SRSG and other senior positions in peace support missions
b) follow-up the decisions taken on these lists
c) include as many women as possible in key posts in military and police contingents they contribute to UN peace support operations
d) make special efforts to increase the number of women in their national military and police forces
e) include as many women as possible in peace support training exercises organized nationally and regionally.
g) attach gender advisors to national contingents contributors to UN peace support missions.
[Building Capacities for Peacekeeping and Women’s Dimension in Peace Processes, Recommendations of the Joint European Union-Latin American and the Caribbean Conference, Margaret Anstee and Felicity Hill, 4-5 November 2002]

Consult with civil society, including local women’s groups and networks, to ensure collection of information from all stakeholders and attention to the specific needs, concerns and experiences of women and girls in the implementation of peacekeeping operations.
[SG Study on Women, Peace and Security, Chapter 5, Action 3, p 89, 2002]

Set concrete targets for the appointment of women as Special Representative and Special Envoys of the Secretary-General.
[SG Study on Women, Peace and Security, Chapter 5, Action 11, p 90, 2002]

Increase the recruitment of women as military observers, peacekeeping troops and civilian police by troop contributing countries.
[SG Study on Women, Peace and Security, Chapter 5, Action 12, p 90, 2002]

UN peace operations to improve opportunities for collaboration with women’s groups to address gender issues in a peacekeeping environment.
[UNIFEM Independent Experts’ Report, Chapter 5, Action 6, p 144, 2002]

Member States and DPKO to increase women’s representation in peace operations, including through the recruitment of police, military and civilian personnel.
[UNIFEM Independent Experts’ Report, Chapter 5, Action 7, p 144, 2002]

The SG, in keeping with his personnel commitment, to increase the number of women in senior positions in peace-related functions. Priority should be given to achieving gender parity in his appointment of women as Special Representatives and Envoys, beginning with the minimum of 30% in the next three years, with a view to gender parity by 2015.
[UNIFEM Independent Experts’ Report, Women, War and Peace, Chapter 5, Action 1, p 144, 2002]

The G8:
Encourages the appointment of more women to national and international posts, including SRGSs, Special Envoys, Resident Coordinators and other operational positions.
[G8 Rome Initiative on Conflict Prevention: Strengthening the Role of Women in Conflict Prevention, Rome, 18-19 July 2001]

15. Stresses that current conflicts demand the increased use of non-military crisis-management, which means that new non-military skills are required of peacekeepers, resulting in enhanced opportunities for women, and calls on the Member States and the Council to:

(a) include women in all reconciliation, peacekeeping, peace-enforcement, peace building, and conflict preventive posts - including fact-finding and observer missions - in which Member States participate,

(b) secure that women participating in peacekeeping operations are bound by United Nations norms and international human rights principles and not by discriminatory local restrictions,

(c) promote the use of all female fact-finding and assistance teams to respond to sexual violence and other situations where demanded by the cultural context;
[European Parliament resolution on participation of women in peaceful conflict resolution, Para. 15a-c, 30 November 2000]

• The initial assessment mission for any peace support operation should include a senior adviser on gender mainstreaming.
• Security Council resolution setting up and extending peace support operations should incorporate a specific mandate on gender mainstreaming.
[The Namibia Plan of Action on ‘Mainstreaming a Gender Perspective in Multidimensional Peace Support Operations, On Mandate, 31 May 2000]

• There is a need for the financial authorities of the United Nations, particularly the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, to give priority to the funding of gender mainstreaming
• Member States should be asked to increase the number of women in their military and civilian police forces who are qualified to serve in peace support operation at all levels, troop-contributing nations should be developed. Requests to troop-contributing nations could be tailor-made to nations that are known to have suitable female staff, while other potential troop contributing countries could be encouraged to develop long-term strategies to increase the number and rank of female personnel in their respective forces.
[The Namibia Plan of Action on ‘Mainstreaming a Gender Perspective in Multidimensional Peace Support Operations, On Planning, Structure and Resources of Missions, 31 May 2000]

The United Nations must set an example by rapidly increasing the number of senior female civilian personnel in peace support operations in all relevant Headquarters departments, including DPKO, and in the field.
[The Namibia Plan of Action on ‘Mainstreaming a Gender Perspective in Multidimensional Peace Support Operations, On Recruitment, 31 May 2000]

a.The gender balance in senior positions (P-5 and above) in the mission should attempt to be 50-50.
f. The terms of reference, particularly eligibility requirements, for heads of mission components and other personnel, too, should be reviewed to ensure that qualified women are not excluded by unnecessary requirements. In particular, requirements for eight years of prior service for police and requirements for command experience might be examined, since these tend to disqualify many female candidates.
[Mainstreaming a Gender Perspective in Multidimensional Peace Support Operations, On Leadership and Recruitment, DPKO, Best Practices Unit, July 2000]

31. Promote the Training of Civilian Peace Professionals:
The demand for civilian peacebuilders, be they election monitors, human rights workers or general observers, is growing fast; the pool from which such specially trained civilians can be drawn is not. There is a strong need to further promote the specialized training of civilian women and men in the techniques of conflict resolution, mediation, negotiation, etc., and to promote their deployment in conflict areas in order to order to carry out peacebuilding tasks. The long-term aim should be the development of an international body of specially trained "civilian peace professionals" that can be called upon to intervene in conflict areas at short notice.
[The Hague Agenda for Peace and Justice for the 21st Century, Ref. A/54/98, 20 May 1999]

WOMEN'S EQUAL PARTICIPATION IN PEACE NEGOTIATION AND AGREEMENT PROCESSES

Agreed Language

8. Calls on all actors involved, when negotiating and implementing peace agreements, to adopt a gender perspective, including, inter alia:
(b) Measures that support local women's peace initiatives and indigenous processes for conflict resolution, and that involve women in all of the implementation mechanisms of the peace agreements;
[UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, 8b]

The Security Council stresses the importance of mainstreaming a gender perspective into peace agreements and peace-building strategies and of involving women in all peace-building measures.
[S/PRST/2001/5, Peace-building: towards a comprehensive approach, Security Council Presidential Statement, 2001]

The Council further reaffirms its strong support for increasing the role of women in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution and renews its call on States to include women in the negotiations and implementation of peace accords, constitutions and strategies for resettlement and rebuilding and to take measures to support local women’s groups and indigenous processes for conflict resolution. In this regard it recognizes the efforts of the Mano River Women’s Peace Network in facilitating peace and dialogue in the Mano River Union region. It is also encouraged by the inclusion of women in the political decision-making bodies in Burundi, Somalia and in East Timor.
[S/PRST/2001/31, Security Council Presidential Statement, Women, Peace and Security: Para. 2, 31 October 2001]

The Security Council stresses the importance for the Dialogue to be free from outside interference, open, representative and inclusive, and emphasizes the need to ensure adequate representation of Congolese women in the process.
[S/PRST/2001/22, Security Council Presidential Statement, The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Para. 3, 5 September 2001]

The Security Council recognizes the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building. It stresses the importance of their increased participation in all aspects of the conflict prevention and resolution process.
[S/PRST/2000/25, Role of the Security Council in the Prevention of Armed Conflict, Security Council Presidential Statement, 20 July 2000]

4. Calls upon the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to take practical action
(d) To strive harder to create conditions, in accordance with its commitments as stipulated in the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement, in particular the sections concerned with inter-Congolese Dialogue, that would allow for a democratization process that is genuine and all-inclusive and that fully reflects the aspirations of all inhabitants of the country while ensuring that women are involved in this process, and to complete the procedures required to permit the activities of political parties and to prepare and to prepare for the holding of democratic, transparent, free and fair elections;
[E/CN.4/RES/2002/14 Situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo]

Non-Agreed, Helpful Language

A. Recommendations for Action: Peace Processes
32. (b) Ensure that the composition of the mediator’s team is gender-balanced, that it includes from the start a senior gender adviser and that all team members have general knowledge of the gender perspectives in regard to the conflict in question;
(e) Invite all parties to the negotiations to include women with decision-making power in their teams, and ensure that a significant number of representatives of independent women’s civil society organizations, duly elected in transparent processes, are a party to the negotiations.

B. Recommendations for Action: Peace Agreements
35. (b) Establishment of a national human rights commission with gender parity among the commissioners, and with a mandate that includes the promotion of gender equality and women’s human rights in accordance with the peace agreement;
[E/CN.6/2004/10, Report of the Secretary-General on the thematic issue before the Commission on the Status of Women, Women’s Equal Participation in Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution and in Post-Conflict Peace-building, 22 December 2003]

A. Obligations of Negotiators, Facilitators, Funding Entities, and of Process
The quality of the preparatory stages leading up to the mediation and of the mediation itself is central to the sustainability of the ensuing peace agreement. In this initial stage, efforts to advance the goals of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) in promoting gender equality and greater participation by women should proceed on two parallel tracks. First, all efforts should be made to enable women’s associations to prepare themselves to participate in the various formal and informal negotiation stages—through activities such as national consultations, formation of networks, and capacity building. Second, all parties to the process, including international actors, should ensure the participation of women in their delegations, the integration of gender equality initiatives throughout and their own awareness and capacity to address the gender dimensions of all aspects of the peace process.

Mediators and their teams play a critical role in the negotiation process and should guarantee women’s effective and qualitative participation. All negotiators, mediators, facilitators, irrespective of the designation used, or whether they derive their authority from an international, regional or bilateral mandate, must adhere to these obligations…

1. The mediator:
• Takes primary responsibility for ensuring that the team includes from the start a high-level gender adviser.
• Ensures that the composition of her/his team is gender balanced, and that all members have awareness and general knowledge and skills of how gender equality is relevant to the conflict in question.
• Initiates a training and briefing programme for the mediation team, the co-facilitators and other international stakeholders on how to integrate the obligations of the relevant sections of Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome document of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly (2000), and of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) into formal and informal mediation processes.
• Ensures the development and implementation of a plan of action on gender equality aimed at ensuring women’s effective participation in the negotiation process, and at incorporating a gender sensitive approach and the promotion of gender equality in that process.
• In the initial consultations with the parties to the conflict, invites parties to include women with decision-making power in negotiating teams.
• In the initial consultations with the parties to the conflict, ensures that a significant number of representatives of independent women’s civil society organizations, duly elected in transparent processes, are a party to the negotiations.
• In the conduct of the pre-negotiations and negotiations, creates the necessary logistical and framework conditions for the active participation of women, including those representing women’s civil society organizations.
• Ensures gender balance in the composition of mechanisms and processes established to monitor the effective implementation of the peace agreement.

2. Parties to the conflict
• Ensure gender balance in the composition of their delegations.

3. Funding entities
Funding entities can contribute to enhanced attention to gender perspectives and the participation of women in a number of ways.
• Ensure funding for th