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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PAKISTAN: Prime Minister Says Women Parliamentarians Can Become Catalyst for Change

For sustainable solution to existing security situation faced by the country due to ongoing conflict at western borders, it is vital to involve women at all levels of reconciliation and rehabilitation process.

NIGERIA: Nigerian Women Carry Bibles, Protest Massacre

Thousands of Nigerian women dressed in black and carrying Bibles, wooden crosses, pictures of victims, and branches symbolizing peace marched in a central Nigerian state on Thursday to protest the massacre of about 500 villagers, who were mostly women and children.

COTE D'IVOIRE: Côte d'Ivoire / UNOCI Chief Underlines Women's Central Role in Electoral Process

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y. J. Choi, on Wednesday, underlined the central role which should be entrusted to women in the Ivorian electoral process.

SUDAN: Sudan Legislator Says Women Seek More Democratic Reforms

A leading member of the women's group of the Rumbek State legislature in southern Sudan says there was a large turnout of women during Sudan's general elections.

Adak Costa Mapuor said it demonstrates their commitment towards entrenching democratic reforms. She said a constitutional provision that reserves 25% of all political positions for women is a significant boost to women's participation in making public policy.

AFRICA: Security Council Faulted for Gender Hypocrisy

Ten years after a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at re-evaluating women's roles in U.N.-brokered peacekeeping efforts, women are still underrepresented in the peacekeeping process.

RWANDA: Rwandan Women Honour Kagame

President Paul Kagame, yesterday, received the "Lifetime Leadership Award for Development and Equality", from Rwandan women, in recognition of his efforts in developing the nation and promoting equality amongst Rwandans, The New Times reports.

MAURITIUS: Women Sidelined in the 2010 General Elections

Official results of Mauritius's most recent elections released on 6 May 2010 shows a 0.5% decrease in women's representation in parliament, sliding from 17.1% to 16.6%. Unless this situation is corrected with the best loser system, Mauritius will follow the trend of gender losses in two Southern African countries that had elections in 2009, Botswana and Namibia.

AFGHANISTAN: Ranna Tareen

Work outside the home in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar Province has become almost impossible for women due to constant threats and intimidation by insurgents.

INDIA: Women Spreading Political Wings With Help of India's Quota System

As sarpanch, or chief, of this northern Indian village, Maya Yadav has fought hard for local women over the past five years. She has encouraged more parents to send their daughters to school and fewer to shell out fat dowries when their girls marry. But her proudest moment came when she negotiated a discount on a bulk purchase of latrines.

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