Participation

The Participation theme focuses on women’s representation and participation in peace processes, electoral process – as both the candidate and voter – UN decision-making positions, and in the broader social-political sphere.

The Security Council acknowledges the need for strategies to increase women’s participation in all UN missions and appointments to high-level positions in SCR 1325(OP3) and 1889(OP4) and further emphasises the need for women’s participation in peacebuilding processes (1889). 

Specifically, it calls for the mobilisation of resources for advancing gender equality and empowering women (OP14), reporting on the progress of women’s participation in UN missions (OP18), equal access to education for women and girls in post-conflict societies (OP11), and the increase of women’s participation in political and economic decision-making (OP15). Until this language translates into action, the potential for women’s full and equal contribution to international peace and security will remain unrealized.

For more resources on this Critical Issue, visit PeaceWomen Resource Center >>

ANALYSIS: Women Assert Place in Yemen's Protests

Ali Abdullah Saleh, the beleaguered president of Yemen, should have known better. Fighting for his political life (and perhaps for his physical life too), he played the woman card. After last Friday's prayers, he tried to dampen down the escalating protests against his rule by admonishing women to stay home. He claimed that their presence in the streets, “mingling with men,” was against Islam. His ploy backfired.

VIDEO: Nepal: New Voices Speak Through 'People's Constitution

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a film documenting how the hopes and dreams of women, indigenous and disadvantaged groups in Nepal were fused into the country's new constitution.

VIDEO: Women of Afghanistan's Future

A mother and daughter from Afghanistan trying to bring change through business. CNN's Mary Snow reports.

Watch video here.

BLOGS: Ten Must-Read Blogs from the Middle East

Political unrest across the Middle East has increased appetite in the wider world for comment from within the region, and some are turning to bloggers for insider views on the events unfolding on their television screens.

MEETING: UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet Visits Panama

During her visit to Panama 16-17 April, UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet will participate in the meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly. Ms. Bachelet will also meet with the President of Panama and Panamanian women's organizations.

OTHER/INITIATIVE: Groundbreaking Concept For Web Socialization: Global Room for Women

Connecting Fearless Women Change Agents from the Middle East with American Women from the Streets of Manhattan to the Heartland of Minnesota

ANALYSIS: Do Women Gain from EU-Latin America Cooperation?

Hundred years have passed since the initiative to highlight the achievements of women in the world was launched. And yet in the 21st century we are still witnessing many social, legal and physical constraints for women to use their potential and to exercise their rights.

INTERVIEW/BIOGRAPHY: A Vision for Afghanistan: Kabul's Leading Female MP Sets out her Hopes and Fears

For me there are two reasons to be an MP. First, I come from a political family: my father was also a member of parliament during what we call the "democracy decade" in the 1970s. Second, I've experienced many different problems and discrimination just for being a woman, especially during the Taliban period, and I want to fight for that to change.

INTERVIEW: Women's Rights Help Individuals, Not Statistics

Indonesia is planning a national action plan to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, security and peace. The Jakarta Post's Tifa Asrianti talked to Elizabeth Rehn, former defense minister of Finland, on the importance of gender equality in society. Below are excerpts from the interview.

Question: How do you see the condition of women in Indonesia?

Pages