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.

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Peace negotiations not only shape the post-conflict political landscape direc...

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Peace negotiations not only shape the post-conflict political landscape directly, through agreements on justice, power-sharing and constitutional issues, but also indirectly, by lending legitimacy to those represented at the peace table. A properly integrated role for women enhances the prospects of a durable and lasting peace.

Of course, when we talk about conflict prevention we are talking not just abo...

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Of course, when we talk about conflict prevention we are talking not just about involving women in preventive diplomacy. We also speak of the much broader agenda of ensuring that drivers of conflict do not have the chance to surface. Democratic institutions, the rule of law and economic development are foundations of peaceful societies. We cannot expect such societies to flourish without embracing the role that women play in shaping them.

We have also made strides in ensuring the rule of law, most recently the esta...

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We have also made strides in ensuring the rule of law, most recently the establishment of a national commission on the elimination of violence against women, following the enactment of the law in that

Secondly, our approach to SSR has been too narrow. We must broaden it to take...

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Secondly, our approach to SSR has been too narrow. We must broaden it to take into account what host populations time and again demand, namely, a clear recognition that human rights, good governance and gender equality are inextricably linked with security sector reform.

An effective approach to SSR will ensure that the needs of ordinary citizens,...

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An effective approach to SSR will ensure that the needs of ordinary citizens, including women and girls, are at the forefront.

At the regional level, the African Union (AU) is in the process of developing...

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At the regional level, the African Union (AU) is in the process of developing a policy framework document for SSR that refocuses emphasis from military security to human security by defending and protecting all citizens from all forms of violence and insecurity, including gender-based violence.

International support to SSR should, to the extent possible, promote an inclu...

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International support to SSR should, to the extent possible, promote an inclusive approach to the creation of new institutions by bringing to the fore perspectives of the various groups and communities that may contribute to the process, including women.

In that respect, it is worth noting that security sector reform cannot succee...

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In that respect, it is worth noting that security sector reform cannot succeed without taking into account the gender perspective. By deploying female military and police officials, peacekeeping missions can indirectly encourage host countries to include women in their security institutions.

To that end, we see the need for more integrated planning and implementation ...

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To that end, we see the need for more integrated planning and implementation of United Nations mandates across the entire peacebuilding continuum, starting with mediation, passing through disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, and moving towards rule of law assistance, the empowerment of youth and women and socio-economic recovery.

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