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 >>

GHANA: NCCE Worried About Fewer Women Participation In Elections

Mrs. Augustina Akumanyi, Deputy Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), expressed worry that apart from election disputes, there exist the issue of fewer women seeking to be elected to occupy public offices.

EL SALVADOR: After Storms, Women Lead Village Reconstruction

Hurricane Ida left behind a trail of destruction when it slammed into El Salvador last November. In the town of Monte San Juan, women's groups are spearheading the reconstruction effort with the help of a programme that keeps their families fed. The project has helped women like Carmen Perez become community leaders.

AUSTRALIA: It's Been a Long, Hard Road for Australian Women

It has been a long road to the top for Australia's women. The election of Julia Gillard as Prime Minister yesterday comes 50 years after Sirimavo Bandaranaike became Sri Lanka's and the world's first female leader, and three decades after Margaret Thatcher won power in the United Kingdom. It is also 13 years since Jenny Shipley became New Zealand's first female Prime Minister.

NIGERIA: Ohaji Women Protest in Owerri

Thousands of placards-carrying and aggrieved women from Ohaji Local council in Imo State, staged a peaceful protest at the premises of Imo State House of Assembly at the weekend, pleading with the lawmakers and state government to immediately intervene and save their lives from what they called “forceful occupation of their farmlands by herdsmen” using them as grazing grounds for their cattle.

FIJI: Fiji Hosts Workshop on Gender Equality in Political Governance

Twenty-two fully accredited and active BRIDGE facilitators from the Pacific are in Nadi, Fiji for a 10-day workshop organized by the United Nations Development Fund for Women's (UNIFEM Pacific Regional Office) Gender Equality in Political Governance (GEPG) Programme.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Women in Elections in Papua New Guinea

Recognizing that change doesn't happen through ideas alone, AWID invited the 2005 Forum participants to submit grant applications for projects that would transform ideas and perspectives picked up at the forum into projects for meaningful change. How does change happen? One step at a time, one project at a time.

SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa's Famous First Lady on Power

Power comes any way you can get it. Says Graca Michel, the only woman in the world who has been married to two country presidents: "My weakness is, I'm attracted to strong people -- people who challenge me. People who are better than myself."

AUSTRALIA: The Female Factor: What Difference Will a Woman Make?

IN JANUARY 2005, Julia Gillard was home in Altona contemplating a challenge to struggling Labor leader Kim Beazley. She had cut short an overseas holiday and in the 2½ days since getting off the plane had been hunkered down, working the phones, checking the numbers. Her suitcase was still unpacked in the hall.

INTERNATIONAL: ECOSOC to Work to Help Women, Encourage International Development

The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) said here Friday that it will focus on women's equality and empowerment as well as development cooperation in the coming weeks.

USA: How Women Changed The High Court ... And Didn't

If Elena Kagan is confirmed as a Supreme Court justice, fully one third of the current court will be female.

The court's gender makeup is not likely to be front and center when confirmation hearings begin Monday, but the fact that Kagan would be the third woman on the current court has prompted a discussion about the role of women in judging, and even about their marital status.

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