Post-conflict and Transitional Participation
According to the Ploughshares, in 2005, armed conflicts raged in 27 countries. In five of them, casualties exceeded 100,000 people, and the indirect costs in human capital, infrastructure and effect on future development are beyond estimation. The transition period begins when wars end through negotiated settlements or other means. With international and regional assistance, parties seek ways to deter the cycle of conflict by establishing a stable government to protect and provide for its citizens.
Formally and informally, women around the world are contributing to post-conflict reconstruction in the areas of security, justice and reconciliation, governance and socio-economic development. In 2000, the United Nations (UN) Security Council passed resolution 1325, a landmark decision mandating the participation of women in peace processes. Since the adoption of the resolution, awareness of the importance of including women in peace and reconstruction processes has grown enormously. Yet, implementation of the resolution’s mandate remains sporadic and ad hoc, and the gaps in practice are vast. Nonetheless, women’s participation in post-conflict reconstruction processes continues to increase.
In Sri Lanka, pressure by women’s organizations led to the establishment — within the structure of the formal negotiations — of a ten-member Subcommittee on Gender Issues in 2002. In Northern Ireland, women representatives were trusted as mediators during conflict negotiations, with such trust stemming from the women’s platform of respect for human rights, inclusion and equality. In Haiti, the women’s ministry and women’s organizations participated in a consultative process, resulting in the UN mission incorporating women’s priorities into its mandate and establishing the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Programme. In Rwanda, women formed the first cross-party parliamentary caucus composed of both Hutus and Tutsis, addressing issues of concern to women from all political parties. In Sierra Leone, a women’s task force was established to foster women’s participation in the design of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the special unit investigating war crimes. According to the World Bank, in Afghanistan, efforts by the international community and local women’s organizations have led to girls accounting for 40 percent of all children attending school in 2003, compared to only 9 percent before the war.
While significant and encouraging, such examples and best practices do not equate with the systematic inclusion of women in peace processes. It remains critical to amplify the role and contribution of women during political transitions to capitalize on this window of opportunity.
Interviews
World News
Somali Women Mobilizing for Peace
Following the downfall of President Siad Barre in 1991, a civil war broke out in Somalia between the factions. The internecine conflict has taken its heavy toll on all Somalis, but women in general face a disproportionate burden. With many men fleeing and abandoning their families, women have learned to fend for themselves after their husbands died. Regrettably, the tribal hostilities terminated male dominated jobs. During the clan and factional conflict, Somali women took up crucial roles generally allocated to men as breadwinners and protectors of their families.
Following the downfall of President Siad Barre in 1991, a civil war broke out in Somalia between the factions. The internecine conflict has taken its heavy toll on all Somalis, but women in general face a disproportionate burden. With many men fleeing and abandoning their families, women have learned to fend for themselves after their husbands died. Regrettably, the tribal hostilities terminated male dominated jobs. During the clan and factional conflict, Somali women took up crucial roles generally allocated to men as breadwinners and protectors of their families.
World News
Aung San Suu Kyi and the Violent Politics of Peace
Two winners of the Nobel Peace Prize will meet this week in Myanmar. One, President Barack Obama, is often criticized for his use of force and violence from Guantanamo Bay to the Middle East. The other, Aung San Suu Kyi, is celebrated as a human rights icon by Western governments — and seldom criticized by them for her tolerance of force and violence in her own country.
Is it because she's a woman? A Buddhist? The West's great hope for true democracy in Myanmar?
Two winners of the Nobel Peace Prize will meet this week in Myanmar. One, President Barack Obama, is often criticized for his use of force and violence from Guantanamo Bay to the Middle East. The other, Aung San Suu Kyi, is celebrated as a human rights icon by Western governments — and seldom criticized by them for her tolerance of force and violence in her own country.
Is it because she's a woman? A Buddhist? The West's great hope for true democracy in Myanmar?
World News
Long way to go, on achieving gender equality
This week Schulz kicked off the spring forward for women conference, which aims to bring about ideas for encouraging political representation of women, with particular focus on women in Arab countries.
The conference comes as world leaders gear up for the 59th session of the commission on the status of women, due to take place next March at the UN headquarters in New York. At this meeting, heads of states will discuss the progress that has been made 20 years after the implementation of the Beijing platform for action - an agenda for the empowerment of women.
This week Schulz kicked off the spring forward for women conference, which aims to bring about ideas for encouraging political representation of women, with particular focus on women in Arab countries.
The conference comes as world leaders gear up for the 59th session of the commission on the status of women, due to take place next March at the UN headquarters in New York. At this meeting, heads of states will discuss the progress that has been made 20 years after the implementation of the Beijing platform for action - an agenda for the empowerment of women.
World News
Our forgotten allies against Islamic State: Iraqi and Syrian women
World News
Syrian Women Know How To Defeat ISIS
To the Islamic State, Syrian women are slaves. To much of the rest of the world, they are victims. It's time we expose their real identity: an untapped resource for creating lasting peace.
To the Islamic State, Syrian women are slaves. To much of the rest of the world, they are victims. It's time we expose their real identity: an untapped resource for creating lasting peace.
Event
Women PeaceMakers Conference: Defying Extremism
Women PeaceMakers Conference: Defying Extremism
he rise of violent religious extremism and its
Women's political participation in Tunisia after the Revolution
Women's political participation in Tunisia after the Revolution
Empowering the Role of Women in Post-conflict Peacekeeping
Empowering the Role of Women in Post-conflict Peacekeeping
By Dilini Fernando
By Dilini Fernando
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