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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Statement of the Department of Political Affairs, March 28, 2016

Extract: 

The case for inclusive preventive diplomacy is compelling. Experience has shown that, if we are present, with early diplomatic initiatives and by actively engaging civil society — notably women’s organizations — with the support of the international community and the necessary resources, we stand a better chance of helping prevent and resolve conflicts and in making political stability and peace more sustainable.

Statement of the Department of Political Affairs, March 28, 2016

Extract: 

To advance these efforts, the Department of Political Affairs has developed a high-level mediation-skills training. Half of the participants are women and the training aims to enhance gender parity and the future character and configuration of international peacemaking. To build institutional capacity, the Department conducts semi-annual training on gender/ women, peace and security.

What does new momentum for UN peace and security really mean?

From.pdf

Women deserve equal political representation

From.pdf

Misogyny compliments military oppression

From.pdf

Bashed Up: Family Violence in Papua New Guinea

HRW report_Bashed Up_Family Violence in Papau New Guinea.pdf

UN Official: Peace Treaties Need to Address Indigenous Women

Indigenous women.pdf

Statement of Myanmar, May 11, 2016

Extract: 

 On the extremist front, terrorism preys on vulnerable groups, such as women and children, and even soft targets such as medical facilities and health-care personnel. Terrorism ignores geographical and ethical boundaries. 

Statement of Bangladesh, May 11, 2016

Extract: 

Fourthly, it will be crucial to give due consideration to the impact of terrorist and violent extremist ideologies on women in affected communities. We must revisit the traditional approaches, in which women are seen as victims of terrorism and violent extremism, and further explore their potential roles as agents of prevention, resilience and change at the community level — and even as perpetrators.

Statement of Norway at the Open Debate on THREATS TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY CAUSED BY TERRORIST ACTS, May 11, 2016

Norway_May11.pdf

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