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 >>

SUDAN: "Reflections on International Women's Day"

The following is among the postings by U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration as he travels and works in his capacity as special envoy.

IRAQ: Eyes on the Prize for Iraqi Women

Today, let's celebrate the women of Iraq.

On Sunday, over 1,800 female parliamentary candidates vied for 82 seats in Iraq's nationwide election. For the first time since 2003, campaign posters featuring larger-than-life headshots of the candidates (not of their husbands, as in previous years) hung alongside those of their male rivals.

INTERNATIONAL: Deputy Secretary-General, in Women's Commission, Hails Possible New Gender Entity at United Nations as 'Historic Opportunity' to Give Women Stronger Voice Globally

Addressing the Commission on the Status of Women's fifty-fourth session this afternoon, Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro said the General Assembly's proposal to create a United Nations body for gender issues was an historic opportunity to give women a stronger voice in global governance and policymaking.

ISRAEL/OPT: Middle East Women Ahead But Not Home

Male leaders fail to break the Mideast impasse. Enter women from Israel and the Palestinian territories working together. And… it would have been nice to say they succeeded where the men failed.

They didn't. The women have been ahead of the times, in speaking of solutions others thought unmentionable once, but now increasingly accept. And yet, peace seems more difficult than ever.

INTERNATIONAL: Women in Politics The Fight to End Violence Against Women

Despite the remarkable progress of women in many professions, politics is not one of them. Indeed, around the world, women have been conspicuous by their absence in decision and policy making in government.

INTERNATIONAL: 'Super Agency' Stirs Buzz at U.N. Women's Session

The headquarters building here is undergoing renovations. The quarters are more cramped and the 54th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, March 1-12, has been more challenging than ever for delegates like me to navigate. There are the U.N. committee meetings, caucus schedules and a plethora of side meetings sponsored by nongovernmental groups in the near and not-so-nearby neighborhood.

INTERNATIONAL: Changing the Game: Gaining Traction in Fragile States

Speech by Inés Alberdi, UNIFEM Executive Director

Date: 4 March 2010

Occasion: Women Thrive Worldwide and UNIFEM Co-Host Second Annual International Women's Day Legislative Breakfast Event in Washington, DC — "Lessons from the Frontline: Haiti, Afghanistan, and the Challenge to Build a More Secure World".

AFRICA: Achieving Fifty Percent Women in Decision Making by 2015

Gender activists from East and Southern Africa have expressed shock at the backward trends in the 50/50 campaign in recent elections. The African Union (AU) has set a goal of achieving parity between women and men in decision-making by 2020, while the Southern African Development Community (SADC) target calls for 50% women in decision-making in all sectors by 2015.

SUDAN: Peace Partners Agree to Increase Southern Sudan Parliamentary Seats

The two partners of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) agreed in a meeting held at the level of the Sudanese presidency to increase parliamentary seats to southern Sudan, but they are still differ on the final number of seat.

Peace Partners Agree to Increase Southern Sudan Parliamentary Seats

The two partners of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) agreed in a meeting held at the level of the Sudanese presidency to increase parliamentary seats to southern Sudan, but they are still differ on the final number of seat.

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