Resolution 1325 urges for the inclusion of women in peace negotiations. It categorically calls for the consultation with women's and civil society groups in peace negotiations. It also calls upon member states, UN agencies, and other actors to ensure that gender mainstreaming issues are accounted for in all aspects of conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peacemaking and post conflict reconstruction. If implemented, these measures would place women firmly and equally at the centre of peace and security matters. Unless the moment is seized, the opportunity will pass.

We are all advocates of Resolution 1325 and we must ensure that rhetoric becomes reality. Here are some ideas for follow-up action with NGOs, governments, the United Nations, the public, and others. They are just the beginning, please add more of your own:

• Teach/take a course on conflict prevention and resolution for women or on 1325
• Bring together diverse women's groups to discuss security issues and how they might use 1325 as an advocacy tool
• Raise awareness of different avenues for ensuring justice and accountability for war-time violence against women, especially in regard to conflict resolution negotiations and post-conflict reconstruction efforts
• Monitor the protection and respect for human rights of women & girls in your region

• Create media on women's roles and experiences in peacebuilding:

• Press Releases
• Media Events
• Manual of Actions
• Posters and postcards
• Hand-outs, including brochures with graphics and cartoons as appropriate
• CD-ROM with graphics and audio appropriate for limited literacy skills
• Write letters to media to include gendered aspects of conflict
• Form a strategy group for your region to include women in peace & security
• Fund women's peace efforts in conflict zones

• Send requests to the head of the Department of Peace Keeping Operations: Under Secretary General Jean-Marie Guehenno, Room S-3727B, United Nations, New York, NY 10017
• Contact decision makers at the United Nations (see http://www.peacewomen.org/un/basics/map.html)
• Contact your Representative to the UN (see http://www.peacewomen.org/contacts/conindex.html)
• Contact your government body that sends troops for UN Peacekeeping Operations
• Meet with UNHCR in refugee settings and review implementation of the UNHCR Guidelines on Protection of Refugee Women, UNHCR Guildelines on Protection and Care of Refugee Children with the UNHCR staff in country.
• Lobby your parliament for effective legislation on women, peace, and security

• Develop gender training materials appropriate to your region/culture
• Print & distribute copies of Resolution 1325 to relevant policy makers and decision makers
• Translate Resolution 1325 to your own language and send it to post at info@peacewomen.org
• Speak out about and document the violation of international law and the rights of women and girls
• Make women's efforts more visible by sending information to info@peacewomen.org

• Network and coordinate with other women's organizations (see http://www.peacewomen.org/contacts/conindex.html
• Gather more information on women, peace, and security
• Share your experiences with others at the CSW and with women'sgroups and strategic partners

produced by the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace, and Security during the Commission on the Status of Women 2002

for more information go to www.peacewomen.org/un/ngo/wg.html

www.womenscommission.org

www.womenbuildingpeace.org

www.haguepeace.org

www.iwtc.org/

www.iccwomen.org/