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 >>

INTERNATIONAL: Young Women More Peaceful, Says US Diplomat

Speakers at a seminar on ‘Women: Inspiring Hope and Possibility' highlighted the role of economic facilities, education and healthcare in women empowerment.

The seminar was organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in collaboration with Public Affairs Section, US Embassy, on Monday.

KUWAIT: Interview with Dr. Rola Dashti, Member of the Kuwaiti Parliament

Arab Reform Bulletin (ARB): Since the election of the current parliament in May 2009, relations between the parliament and the government seem to have improved, after many episodes in which the parliament was dissolved. In December, the prime minister agreed to be questioned by the parliament for the first time. Have relations changed and, if so, why?

INTERNATIONAL: U.N. Envoy Paves Diplomatic History for Women

They work like stepping stones to pave a major fresh path in women's history: First 1325, then 1820, now 1888. These are U.N. resolutions that in the past 15 or so years have put wartime sexual violence on the international policy map.

USA: For Soldiers, Single Motherhood Becomes Another Battlefield

The latest flurry of attention toward gays in the military shows that the question of who gets to be a soldier, and why, is sometimes unavoidably moral. So let's ask that question about another group of soldiers who haven't attracted as much talk but should: mothers, many of them single, in combat boots -- and combat zones.

INTERNATIONAL: Equality Between Women and Men is Not a ‘Women's Issue'

Fifteen years ago 30,000 women gathered in Huairou, Beijing, and over two weeks held 3,500 workshops and worked with UN member states to produce a vision of global social transformation - the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA).

SRI LANKA: First Political Manifesto for Women Gets Good Reviews

Political manifestos are often met with cynicism
and even ridicule, but Sri Lanka's first such manifesto for women is
proving an exception to the rule as rights activists laud its recent
launch.

Put forth by the United National Front (UNF), Sri Lanka's largest
opposition group, the manifesto was released on Mar. 15, ahead of the
April parliamentary poll.

ZIMBABWE: New Constitution - Give Women a Bigger Say

Biata Beatrice Nyamupinga

opinion

Harare — Zimbabwe is in the process of formulating a new constitution, following the signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) in September 2008, and the formation of the inclusive Government in February 2009.

AFGHANISTAN: An Afghan Politician Pushes for a Comeback

By CAROLINE BROTHERS

PARIS — The people who want to silence Malalai Joya, the youngest elected politician in Afghanistan, are doing a pretty good job of it in her own country.

She has been expelled from Parliament. She has been barred from appearing in the Afghan media after denouncing the role of the warlords in politics.

International: Secretary-General Appoints Margot Wallström of Sweden as Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Margot Wallström of Sweden as his Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Ms. Wallström has been a long-time advocate of the rights and needs of women throughout her political career -- first as Swedish Minister and later as Environment Commissioner and Vice-President of the European Commission.

INTERNATIONAL: New U.N. Envoy to Crack Down on Sexual Violence

When the Security Council adopted resolution 1325 back in October 2000, it was a historic event: for the first time the U.N.'s most powerful political body dealt with a gender-related issue, explicitly linking women to peace and security.

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