Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform

The Justice, Rule of Law, and Security Sector Reform theme focuses on the application of a gender perspective into the post-conflict process of reforming security and justice institutions, with the aim of ensuring transparent, accountable, and effective services.

Huge gaps remain in area of security sector and justice reform although the United Nations and the Women, Peace and Security resolutions have stressed that Justice and SSR must be gender sensitive throughout planning, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation phases.

The Women, Peace, and Security resolutions stress the particular need for improved security sector responses to address and prevent SGBV. Member States are urged to undertake comprehensive legal and judicial reform to better protect women from violence (1888, OP6). Reiterating the call for prosecutions to end impunity (1325,OP11), Member States are called upon to investigate and bring perpetrators of sexual violence to justice (1820,OP4; 1888,OP6).

To help strengthen national judicial systems, and identify gaps in national responses to sexual violence, the Security Council requests that a UN team of experts work with national officials to enhance criminal responsibility for crimes of sexual violence (1888,OP8). Vetting armed forces to ensure the exclusion of those associated with past actions of rape and other forms of sexual violence is an essential component of Justice and SSR (1820, OP3; 1888, OP3). Finally, it is critical that access to justice, protection, and redress for survivors of sexual violence is ensured (1820, OP4; 1888,OP6-7).

The resolutions set out specific obligations, in addition to broader guidelines, for transitional justice and justice reform within SSR. Women’s rights must be ensured in the reform and rebuilding of the police and judiciary (1325,OP8), and within peace agreements. To facilitate this, SCR 1820 calls for the inclusion of women and women’s organisations in all UN-assisted reform efforts (OP10). Justice and SSR are crucial components of peacebuilding, and have a direct impact on a country’s ability to achieve sustainable peace. Both gender mainstreaming in policy making, and the participation of women, are integral to successful reform.

For more resources on this Critical Issue, visit PeaceWomen Resource Center >>

My delegation has a special interest in the topic, because resolution 1325 (2...

Extract: 

My delegation has a special interest in the topic, because resolution 1325 (2000) represented an enormous step forward in the protection of women and highlighted the importance of their role in all aspects of United Nations peacekeeping.

States need to further strengthen their justice systems to prosecute gender b...

Extract: 

States need to further strengthen their justice systems to prosecute gender based crimes and improve systems for the protection of victims and witnesses.

First, eliminating impunity is critical to preventing gender-based crimes. We...

Extract: 

First, eliminating impunity is critical to preventing gender-based crimes. We commend the Council's continued efforts to fight impunity and uphold accountability for serious crimes against women and girls.

Women are decisive actors in the three pillars of achieving lasting peace, na...

Extract: 

Women are decisive actors in the three pillars of achieving lasting peace, namely, economic recovery, social cohesion and political legitimacy. In that respect, it is essential that emphasis be placed in all post conflict phases on strengthening the rule of law as well as the economic and political empowerment of women in order to guarantee their full insertion in the community.

Resolution 1325 (2000), adopted 11 years ago, represents a fundamental milest...

Extract: 

Resolution 1325 (2000), adopted 11 years ago, represents a fundamental milestone, because ever since its adoption the issue of the role of women in peace and security has occupied an important place on the agenda of the Security Council. As a result, it has taken on an important and essential role in the achievement of international peace and security.

We are ready and eager to collaborate with the international community for ef...

Extract: 

We are ready and eager to collaborate with the international community for effective implementation of our national action plan. As enshrined in Nepal's Interim Constitution, one third of Parliament is represented by women. This political representation will be continued down to village-level elected bodies.

We believe that the provisions of these Security Council resolutions are rele...

Extract: 

We believe that the provisions of these Security Council resolutions are relevant at both the international and national levels. In Mexico, following an approach to prevent violence, the institutions that are responsible for monitoring security, safety and law enforcement receive ongoing training in the field of gender affairs.

There can be no lasting peace unless we guarantee access to justice as well a...

Extract: 

There can be no lasting peace unless we guarantee access to justice as well as accountability and support the fight against impunity. In that regard, I wish to recall that the International Criminal Court could exercise its jurisdiction with regard to such crimes.

The Rome Statute of the ICC has significantly advanced international law by i...

Extract: 

The Rome Statute of the ICC has significantly advanced international law by including sexual violence in the definition of crimes, in particular as a crime against humanity. The ICC therefore represents an important mechanism in the fight against sexual violence, which should be better integrated in the Security Council work on the issue.

The Rome Statute of the ICC has significantly advanced international law by i...

Extract: 

The Rome Statute of the ICC has significantly advanced international law by including sexual violence in the definition of crimes, in particular as a crime against humanity. The ICC therefore represents an important mechanism in the fight against sexual violence, which should be better integrated in the Security Council work on the issue.

Pages