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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COLOMBIA: Women, War and Peace: Colombian Women Demand Truth and Justice

November 16 marked an important change in Colombia's peace negotiations -President Juan Manuel Santos announced that a woman would finally secure a place among the all-male negotiating table between the government and the FARC guerrilla.

AFGHANISTAN: UK Gives £18.5 Million to Lift Afghan Women's Poll Presence

Britain will give £18.5 million to Afghanistan to help more Afghan women take part in the presidential election next April, the government said in a statement on Tuesday.

INDONESIA: Women Eye Larger Repsentation in 2014 Polls

Women's activists in Bali are calling for female representation at the upcoming legislative election to push more women-friendly agendas and policies, such as reproductive health and household economy
empowerment.

SYRIA: Syrian Women Suffer Inside Their Country and Out

Some Syrians say outrage over the sentencing of a teenage girl was a spark that started the country's two-and-a-half year revolt.

A month before protests started in March 2011, Tal al-Mallohi - a 19-year-old who blogged about wanting to shape her country's future - was sentenced to five years in jail on charges of spying.

MYANMAR: Nationwide Forum Focuses on Women in Leadership Roles

The Nationwide Women Forum on Peace, Security and Development, jointly organized by women's human rights organizations and Columbia University, began at the Sky Star Hotel in Yangon yesterday.

INDIA: Pass Reservation Bill in Winter Session: Women's Groups

Women's rights groups Friday demanded passage of the women's reservation bill in the winter session of parliament, saying full and equal political participation of women was critical to the achievement of gender equality.

INTERNATIONAL: U.N Urged to Practice What It Preaches on Gender

Amidst a rise in sexual violence in the world's war zones, the United Nations has begun appointing women to head some of the key political and peacekeeping missions in conflict areas – and also created Gender Advisers as a second line of defence.

Still, there is growing scepticism among non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and activist groups that much of the progress is scarcely more than window dressing.

LIBYA: Women's Political Participation in Libya: Progress and Pitfalls

As Libya transitions to democracy, major decisions are being made that will impact the nation's future. It is crucial that women's voices are heard as Libya codifies human rights in national legislation and establishes government institutions.While women in Libya are eager to participate in their country's government, their political participation has declined since the revolution.

ISRAEL: Israeli Media Discriminate Against Women in Politics

A group of women journalists has investigated for five months the attitude of the Israeli media toward women in politics, focusing on the 2013 Knesset elections. The investigation — so it was defined — tracked expressions of sexism, racism or both, in various media. The material was gathered mostly from newspapers, TV, radio talk shows and social networks.

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