The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an annual global campaign initiated by the Center for Women's Global Leadership (CWGL) which runs from November 25, International Day against Violence against Women, through December 10, International Human Rights Day.

Colombia's government has failed to bring in women to the forthcoming peace negotiations despite substantial advocacy from women's organizations around the country.

From 26 – 28 September 2012, 146 women peacemakers and peacebuilders gathered at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (KIPJ) in San Diego for its fifth international conference, “Breaking Barriers--What it will take to achieve security, justice, and peace.” WILPF participated with delegates from the US Section and WILPF Secretary General Madeleine Rees and International Coordinator Petra Totterman Andorff.

During the week-long General Debate, the General- Secretary Ban Ki-moon, the President of the General Assembly, Vuk Jeremic and representatives from 193 member states put forth their concerns, positions and priorities to the Assembly under the theme of “adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations by peaceful means”.

On Wednesday September 19th 2012, the Security Council held an open debate on Children in Armed Conflict (CAAC). The main focus was the Secretary-General Report on Children and Armed Conflict (S/2012/261). The council adopted Resolution 2068 on CAAC, which addressed the issue of persistent perpetrators and the need to end impunity through the use of national and international justice mechanisms.

On September 14, 2012, the General Assembly hosted a High Level Forum on the Culture of Peace, seeking to advance the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. Militarization, weapons proliferation and gender equality featured prominently throughout the speeches and the days panel discussions.

On August 15th, the Australian government in partnership with UNWomen, launched “Side by Side: Women, Peace and Security”, a 30 minute documentary on the implementation of UNSCR 1325.

The Second Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons met at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City from 27 August–7 September 2012. The final outcome document was adopted by consensus on 7 September 2012.

PeaceWomen is pleased to work with Ariel Mekler, Sharna de Lacy and Sofie Saterhäll for Fall 2012.