Women, Peace and Security Include us, don't ... - World YWCA

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CC 6FeatureWOMEN, PEACEand SECURITYSecurity Council Resolution 1325 was passed unanimously on October 31, 2000.Resolution (S/RES/1325) is the first resolution ever passed by the Security Council thatspecifically addresses the impact of war on women, and women’s contributions to conflictresolution and sustainable peace.When it comes to gender,traditional notions ofsecurity and conflictreflect only a narrowreality for women. Human insecuritiesincluding lack of social, political,economic and environmental securityprevent women from attaining genderequality and empowerment. Whenthere is a lack of security—womenand girls bear the brunt of the crisis.The impact of conflict, war, povertyand even economic crisis on women isoften disproportionate.So, on October 31, 2000, whenthe United Nations Security Counciladopted Resolution 1325 on Women,Peace and Security it was regarded asgroundbreaking, not only in content butas proof of the achievements that arepossible when NGOs, the UN systemand member states work together.The UN Security CouncilResolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) putsthe spotlight on three critical areaswhen it comes to gender equalityin the context of conflict, peace andsecurity: Participation, Prevention andProtection. These 3Ps clearly addressthe constant under-representation ofwomen in formal peace processes,how women can contribute topreventing war and conflict and thespecific needs of women and girlsduring conflict.ParticipationWhen women face violencein the home and communitythey often do not have theenergy to fully participatein peace building at thenational, provincial or eventhe local committee level.Since the feminization of povertybecomes even more pronounced inpost conflict economies, potentialfemale leaders may be put offparticipating in the transformativeprocesses of reconstruction andrebuilding communities as they caterto basic needs of their families.Ultimately, the full and equalparticipation of women during thepeace building processes starts withintervention, funding and technicalsupport for women that allows themto both participate and meet theirbasic survival needs. But to bridgethe participation gap, women mustbe involved in political process beforeconflict breaks out.Too often women’s opinion onpeace and security are not heardbecause they are excluded fromthe process or their contributionsand opinions are devalued. Toovercome these obstacles, women’sparticipation must be deliberatelysought, perhaps through a quotasystem, targeted consultations, theestablishment or strengthening ofWomen’s Ministries or Departmentsand the appointment of female judges,police and law reform authorities.Women’s formal politicalparticipation in decision-makingat the vital stage of peace buildingdemands more than having women asobservers in decision-making fora andit constitutes more than a few womencandidates standing for elections.Gender justice and equality principlesshould be enshrined in constitutionaland legal reforms, multi-party systemsand election processes. Once womenare participating in public life, theyshould be included in decision-makingabout issues beyond gender; theyshould also be included in discussionsabout security and resource allocation.www.worldywca.org
FeatureCC 7In order to adequately protectwomen and girls, governments shouldensure gender sensitivity training ofsecurity sector personnel and utilisetools such as gender-based earlywarningindicators.It is critical that government troopand police engage gender experts andexpertise to be included in all levelsand aspects of peace operations,including in technical surveys, thedesign of concepts of operation,training, staffing and programmes. Inaddition, protection must be extendedto female officers and police.Community police initiatives canalso be enhanced through regularengagement with women’s groups,and the recruitment of women withexpertise and life experience incommunity policing programmes.Participants at a workshop on women peace and human security display a poster they created on thetheme My Life, My Issues, My Peace. Nadi, Fiji.Gaps and opportunitiesfor actionPreventionFor women, more guns doesnot mean more security.Through women’s eyes, thereis a broader notion of security– one that is defined in human,rather than in military terms.Women who are most affectedby guns often have the best ideasabout how to remove them from thecommunity. After all, can women reallyexperiencing peace when arms arestill present in society?The masculinity of militarisationand the need to promote ‘soft power’as an alternative to current styleof decision-making must be takeninto account. Advocates of UNSCR1325 have to recognise the needto be vigilant and proactive aboutinfluencing the regional humansecurity agenda, especially at nationallevel. It is time that governmentsharmonise UNSCR 1325 with national,state and local legislation.YWCAs and the women’smovement must together reaffirmthat militarisation does not bringpeace or security—not to ourworld or our nations, not to ourcommunities and not into our homes.We have to find alternatives. Theconsequences of women’s exclusionand marginalisation pose a significantthreat to sustainable human security.In order to prevent war and conflict, weneed women’s perspective for peaceat all times.ProtectionWhen war, conflict or unrestdo occur, UNSCR 1325 callson member states to respectinternational law regardingthe rights and protection ofwomen and girls, especiallyas civilians. Women and girlsare often targets for sexualviolence and abuse duringconflict.Eight years on, despite theconsistent call for UN memberstates to develop clear strategiesand action plans “with goals andtimetables on the integration ofgender perspectives in humanitarianoperations, rehabilitation andreconstruction”, there remain gaps inthe implementation of UNSCR 1325.As such, the UN Secretary-General’s October 13, 2004 report onthe Resolution requests member statesto develop National Action Plans (NAP).The National Action Plan processidentifies gaps in knowledge,provides opportunities for informationsharing and training and generatescommitment and ownership.The result is a coordinatedgovernmental approach that has thefull support of civil society actors.Effective collaboration betweenDepartments of Foreign Affairs withthe women’s machinery as well asmilitary and police in the developmentand implementation of NAPs is a cleardemonstration that governments aretaking gender equality commitmentsseriously.www.worldywca.org
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Women, Peace and Security Include us, don't ... - World YWCA

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