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 >>

Report on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2016/579)

DRC s 2016 579.pdf

Statement by WILPF on the synergies between WPS resolutions and CEDAW Convention

StatementbyWILPFonthesynergiesbetweenWPSresolutionsandCEDAWConvention.pdf

Statement of Guatemala

Extract: 

Guatemala is striving to combat impunity and to bring the perpetrators of sexual abuse to justice. In that regard, early this year we brought to justice two soldiers who were responsible for the sexual enslavement of 15 Quechi women in the military base of Sepur Zarco. Although it took 32 years to bring this case to trial, we believe that it is worth mentioning because access to justice should be guaranteed for all Guatemalans.

Statement of Egypt

Extract: 

At the national level, Egypt is committed to providing gender-based training for its forces participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Other institutions are also playing a vital role in countering the adulterated religious opinions, including fatwas, issued by terrorist organizations in conflict areas, especially those affecting the status of women.

Statement of Czech Republic

Extract: 

Let me conclude by quoting the Secretary General: “Justice for women takes more than new laws and new funding. Ultimately, we need new mindsets.” Having said that, let me express our readiness to promote and support the full implementation of the agenda on women and peace and security domestically as well as abroad.

Report: Rape And Sexual Violence: Human Rights Law And Standards In the International Criminal Court

AmnestyInternationalReport_RapeAndSexualViolence.pdf

Report of the Security Council Mission to Haiti, January 2015

Haiti 2015.pdf

Concept Note for the 5 December 2016 Arria Formula Meeting on the Synergies Between SC Resolutions on Women Peace and Security and the Convention to End All Forms of Discrimination (CEDAW)

Arria Formula meeting WPS Res & CEDAW - Concept Note 30.11.16.pdf

Refugee Women on Greek Islands in Constant Fear

Refugee Women on Greek Islands.pdf

Pages