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.
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Event
Women’s Rights Under Egypt’s Constitutional Disarray
Women’s Rights Under Egypt’s Constitutional Disarray
Egypt’s post-revolution constitution does not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender or religion. It only recognizes women’s domestic role within a family “founded on religion, morality, and patriotism.” Clerics will have the final word over the new laws.
Egypt’s post-revolution constitution does not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender or religion. It only recognizes women’s domestic role within a family “founded on religion, morality, and patriotism.” Clerics will have the final word over the new laws.
World News
Conference of Syrian women, convened by UN Women and the Netherlands, ends with strong recommendations for upcoming peace talks
Conference of Syrian women, convened by UN Women and the Netherlands, ends with strong recommendations for upcoming peace talks
Source:
World News
Empowering Egyptian women despite the odds
Egyptian women have been the worst sufferers in the revolution and the rise of Islamist factions has seen curtailment of the rights of women, said a leading women's activist from the North African nation whose organisation has been quietly operating in the country's southern region to empower women through training in traditional crafts to enable them stand on their own feet.
Egyptian women have been the worst sufferers in the revolution and the rise of Islamist factions has seen curtailment of the rights of women, said a leading women's activist from the North African nation whose organisation has been quietly operating in the country's southern region to empower women through training in traditional crafts to enable them stand on their own feet.
World News
Nepal women’s talk radio works to mediate conflict within communities
iraha, NEPAL, SOUTHERN ASIA: Sanju Kumari Das is a petite, soft-spoken woman, but don’t let that fool you. Hailing from Siraha, a volatile district in Nepal’s eastern Terai, this formidable 26 year-old commands the attention of political giants, helps end nationwide strikes, and is one only a handful of female radio show hosts in Nepal.
iraha, NEPAL, SOUTHERN ASIA: Sanju Kumari Das is a petite, soft-spoken woman, but don’t let that fool you. Hailing from Siraha, a volatile district in Nepal’s eastern Terai, this formidable 26 year-old commands the attention of political giants, helps end nationwide strikes, and is one only a handful of female radio show hosts in Nepal.
Empowering Women in Afghanistan: Interview with Anita Haidary
Empowering Women in Afghanistan: Interview with Anita Haidary
Anita Haidary is an Afghan women's rights activist and co-founder of Young Women for Change (YWC), a non-governmental organization aiming to empower and improve the lives of women in Afghanistan.
Anita Haidary is an Afghan women's rights activist and co-founder of Young Women for Change (YWC), a non-governmental organization aiming to empower and improve the lives of women in Afghanistan.
Summary of E-Discussion on Women’s participation in politics in (post) conflict countries: Role of women in peace negotiations
Summary of E-Discussion on Women’s participation in politics in (post) conflict countries: Role of women in peace negotiations
iKNOW Politics organized an online discussion on the role of women in (post) conflict situations and in peace negotiations, from October 10th to November 6th. The discussion received contributions from 18 members on various countries... Read the summary here
iKNOW Politics organized an online discussion on the role of women in (post) conflict situations and in peace negotiations, from October 10th to November 6th. The discussion received contributions from 18 members on various countries... Read the summary here
Interviews
Drude Dahlerup
Drude Dahlerup
World News
The ultimate male feminist? 5 things Nelson Mandela did for women
He was loved and admired all over the world for helping to end apartheid and heal the scars of a divided nation.
But in his fight for total freedom, the liberation leader also devoted himself to another cause -- the empowerment of women.
Here are five things Nelson Mandela did to advance female equality in his quest for justice.
He was loved and admired all over the world for helping to end apartheid and heal the scars of a divided nation.
But in his fight for total freedom, the liberation leader also devoted himself to another cause -- the empowerment of women.
Here are five things Nelson Mandela did to advance female equality in his quest for justice.
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