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.

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ANALYSIS: Tales of the Lionesses: the Third African Feminist Forum

An old proverb advises that until the lions have their own historians, histories of the hunt will glorify the hunter. In the complex history of Africa hunters' stories are always audible, not least in the powerful and persistent narratives of a poor, undemocratic and largely failing continent.

BLOG: Millions are Left Behind

The majority of Africans are not benefiting from the continent's economic recovery women and child rights activist Graca Machel said on Wednesday October 6.

She was speaking at the annual summit of the National Business Initiative (NBI) in Johannesburg.
“In Africa, the economic recovery from the global recession has been faster as 80 percent of countries had positive growth in 2009.

AUDIO: On Patrol with Female Peacekeepers in Liberia

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, has pledged to have 10 per cent of women on every peacekeeping mission by 2014. Crossroads goes on patrol with an all-women peacekeeping force in Liberia.

To listen, click here.

CAMPAIGN: Support Women as Peacebuilders

Almost 10 years ago, on October 31, 2000, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 1325, calling for women's equal participation in peace building. Security Council Resolution (SCR) 1325 was a response to the disturbing trend that women and girls often suffer most during conflicts, including as displaced civilians or as the targets of sexual violence.

TRAINING: Sierra Leone: NGO Trains Women On Democratic Politics

Some 20 women from Kono district and the Western Rural Area have received training on breaking barriers and empowering women to participate in democratic politics.

The three-day training, which ran from 7 to 9 October 2010, was organized by the 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone in partnership with TROICARE at the Western Area Rural District Council hall, Waterloo.

INTERVIEW: with Janet Mikhael Mayor of Ramallah

"Women are very insightful on how to run a city, ensure its improvement and cleanliness and take care of supporting women, children and families, through cultural centers, parks, and social projects."

CAMPAIGN: READ Global Commits to Empowering Women and Girls at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting

READ (Rural Education and Development) Global announced today in an onstage ceremony at the Clinton Global Initiative's 2010 Annual Meeting its Commitment to Action to create educational and economic opportunities for women and adolescent girls in rural communities in Bhutan, India and Nepal.

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