Reconstruction and Peacebuilding

The Reconstruction and Peacebuilding theme focuses on the application of a gender perspective to peacebuilding. The response of local, national, and international systems to women’s priorities in post-conflict situations can significantly impact stability and development.

The realisation of women’s right to full participation in preventing, resolving and recovering from conflict, is critical to building sustainable peace and the fulfilment of human security. Furthermore, the response of local, national and international systems to women’s priorities in post-conflict situations, can significantly impacts the stability and development of communities.

The engagement of women in early stages of peacemaking can increase gender analysis in post-conflict planning, lead to improved outcomes for women, and enhance their capacity to participate in longer-term peacebuilding. However, women’s rights and concerns should not be dependent on the presence of women in peace processes. Systems must be in place to ensure their inclusion is standard operating procedure.

In SCR 1325, the Security Council recognises that addressing the unique needs of women and girls during post-conflict reconstruction requires integrating a gender perspective at all stages (1325,OP8). The Security Council acknowledges the need to counter negative societal attitudes regarding women’s equal capacity for involvement, and calls for the promotion of women’s leadership and support for women’s organizations (1889,OP1). In addition, the Security Council requests training on the protection, rights and needs of women in all peacebuilding measures (1325,OP6).

To achieve this, the Security Council tasks the Secretary-General to report on challenges and make recommendations relevant to the participation of women and gender mainstreaming in peacebuilding and recovery efforts (1888,OP19). In response, the Secretary-General issued a report on women’s participation in peacebuilding in 2010. The report details the challenges obstacles women must confront in participating in recovery and peacebuilding efforts, and advocates for a Seven-Point Action Plan to respond to these challenges.


First, the plan calls to increase women’s engagement in peace processes and to address gender issues in the context of peace agreements. Secondly, the plan urges for the inclusion of gender expertise at senior levels in the UN’s mediation support activities. Thirdly, the plan notes that, while the international community cannot control the gender composition of the negotiating parties, it must investigate strategies for the inclusion of more women. Fourthly, the plan calls for the establishment of mechanisms to ensure that negotiating parties engage with women’s civil society organisations. The Action Plan’s fifth commitment involves increasing the proportion of women decision makers in post-conflict governance institutions. The sixth point addresses rule of law, emphasising the importance of issues such as women’s access to justice and a gender perspective to legal reform. The Action Plan’s seventh commitment is concerned with women’s economic empowerment. The Action Plan’s implementation remains the challenge.

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Women must have a major role in this state. Women in Libya, about 50% of Liby...

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Women must have a major role in this state. Women in Libya, about 50% of Libyan society, enjoy the highest level of education. They continue their education for the longest time following high school. We believe women have a genuine role that they must play in re-building and development Libya.

Yemen will provide a model for change where all parties will be winners and t...

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Yemen will provide a model for change where all parties will be winners and the status of women will be enhanced as a country that opted for dialogue as a means to overcome crisis.

I would like to specifically emphasise the essential role of women in the pre...

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I would like to specifically emphasise the essential role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in the consolidation of peace; as well as the fact that women and girls must be at the center of our strategies for development. There is no need to demonstrate that a society which guarantees egality between the sexes and promotes the economic independance of women is a far more prosperous society.

On the main topic of the 66th UN GA debates The role of mediation in settleme...

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On the main topic of the 66th UN GA debates “The role of mediation in settlement of disputes” I wish to particularly turn to the role of women in times of crises. When peace is broken and men take up arms, it is the women who often take responsibility for ending violence and restoring peaceful life in their communities'.

We are also concerned about wars and tensions that thrive a little bit everyw...

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We are also concerned about wars and tensions that thrive a little bit everywhere, but now more localized and in high intensity in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, to the delight of the dealers of misery, those who invest in the war industry and to the suffering of millions of human beings, especially children, women and elderly.

And at the end of the spectrum, women are subject to gender-based violence an...

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And at the end of the spectrum, women are subject to gender-based violence and rape as a weapon of war. But shortfalls in these rights are not only the loss of the women affected. They are a loss to society as a whole. And I can tell you: This is very bad economic policy for the countries concerned. Not least in these times of global economic crisis, it seems obvious that we must realize the full potential of all human resources.

That means 700,000 new jobs every year in Egypt alone. And these jobs shouldn...

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That means 700,000 new jobs every year in Egypt alone. And these jobs shouldn't just be for men. Lets be honest, its not just the men of the region who want a job and a voice. The unemployment rate for Egyptian women is more than three times that for men. And its not only the economy, they are denied the chance to play a fuller role in society, politics and culture too.

The record is far from impressive at the moment as the number of women around...

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The record is far from impressive at the moment as the number of women around the negotiation tables continues to be strikingly low. I welcome the efforts by the UN Women to change the situation, and call upon us all to make a commitment to involve more women in this work. Women and men have marched together for a better future. It is important that they continue to participate side by side in building a democratic society.

Peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and mediation are at the...

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Peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and mediation are at the very heart of the United Nations. Mediation has to be used at every stage of the conflict. We need to enhance the capabilities of the UN in this field. Training and guidance are pivotal. Also, women's participation as well as grass-roots activities and the work of NGOs are vital for our efforts

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