WUNRN
WOMEN'S
INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
1325 PEACEWOMEN E-NEWS
Issue #102
June 2008
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1820;
PROTECTION & PARTICIPATION
The Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1325 on women, peace and
security, 31 October 2000.
For the text of the resolution, visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/1325.html
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THIS ISSUE FEATURES:
1. Editorial: Taking the
Women, Peace and Security Agenda Forward
2. Women, Peace and Security News
3. Feature Analysis: Security
Council Resolution 1820: A move to End Sexual Violence in Conflict
4. Security Council Focus: Security
Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security & Resolution 1820 on
Sexual Violence in Conflict
5. Feature Statement: Congolese
Women Appeal to the UN Security Council to Help End Sexual Violence
6. Feature Resources: ICRC
Report: Women and War and UNIFEM Report: Women Building Peace and Preventing
Sexual Violence in Conflict-Affected Contexts
7. Feature Events: Report on
Human Rights Council Session on Violence Against Women & Book Launch and
Interview on Program for women’s political participation in Haiti
8. Feature Initiative: iKnow
Politics Summary of E-Discussion on Gender Quotas as a Mechanism Promoting
Women in Politics
9. Gender & Peacekeeping
Update: Summary of Wilton Park Conference on Women Targeted or Affected
by Armed Conflict: What Role for Military Peacekeepers?
10. NGO Working Group Update:
Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones at Last Recognized as a Matter of
International Peace and Security & Open Letter to Ambassadors for Security
Council Open Debate
11. Women, Peace and Security
Calendar
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This
June edition of the 1325 PeaceWomen E-news is a hefty one – not only is there a
good deal of content (for which we sincerely thank our many contributors) but
it also covers a significant development in the women, peace and security
sphere. The issue of sexual violence is one that has gained significant media
attention in recent times and the issue of violence against women is one under
discussion in many parts of the UN system (see Item 7 for the Human Rights
Council discussion of this). As reflected in our News section (Item 2), sexual
violence is of concern in conflict and so-called post-conflict environments. It
is of concern not only because of the direct physical effect on victims, but
also because it hampers women’s full and effective participation in decision
making. As these stories show, sexual violence and harassment are used to
threaten female candidates in post-conflict environments such as Sierra Leone
and as a weapon against women human rights defenders in Columbia. While these
news items reveal that training efforts and other initiatives to end violence
and impunity are being undertaken, much remains to be done and there are many
actors who have a role to play. Our Feature Statement section (Item 5) features
the call from 71 women’s organizations in the DRC for the Security Council to
act decisively and urgently to end this violence. This month the Council took
an important step towards answering that call.
As many of our readers may be aware, on June 19, the Security Council held an
Open Debate on women, peace and security – with a focus on the theme of ending
sexual violence in conflict. The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security
engaged in concerted advocacy prior to this debate and around the drafting of
the resolution. The NGOWG Update (Item 10) features our letter to Ambassadors
encouraging them to participate and putting forward what we saw as the minimum
requirements that should be covered in any resolution adopted. Also featured is
the response of the NGOWG to the Council’s unanimous adoption at the close of
that Debate, of Resolution 1820 on sexual violence in conflict.
As usual, the PeaceWomen Project monitored the Open Debate and our Focus on the
Security Council section (Item 4) provides links to our web pages with all the
statements from that debate. Also included in this section are links to, and
examples from, the PeaceWomen online thematic index of the debate that provides
extracts from statements by Member States on selected themes. As reflected in
earlier editions of this newsletter, the PeaceWomen Project has, for some time,
been concerned by the fact that the Security Council has not fulfilled its role
in addressing the issue of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict as part
of its mandate to maintain international peace and security. Several Council
members have argued that it is not within their purview to do so. The adoption of
Resolution 1820 firmly puts to rest that debate and recognizes that the
Security Council’s role in maintaining international peace and security
includes considering and responding to sexual violence. It also begins to
address concerns about the poor flow of information to the Council on this
violence. The lack of information on this violence and broader women, peace and
security concerns in Secretary-Generals reports to the Council on
country-specific situations has hampered our advocacy efforts to ensure that
peacekeeping mandates properly address women’s issues and concerns. The role of
peacekeepers is an important one and this topic was, in fact, the subject of a
conference in the time leading up to the Open Debate. The summary of the
discussions at this conference at Wilton Park can be found in our Gender and
Peacekeeping Update (Item 9). The outcomes of that conference were very much
part of the Open Debate in the Council and are, to some extent, reflected in
the resolution that was adopted. A fuller discussion of the Resolution,
controversies around its adoption, and some of its implications is presented in
our Feature Analysis section (Item 3).
One of the crucial aspects of our analysis and advocacy on this issue is that
sexual violence is integrally connected to the issue of women’s participation
in decision-making. For this reason, in our analysis of the resolution and in
including resources and content for this newsletter, we have endeavored to
include this perspective. The resources in our Feature Resource Section (Item
6) by the ICRC and UNIFEM both recognize this link and the importance of
designing responses that take this into account. Also included are specific
initiatives around participation. Our Feature Events (Item 7) includes the launch
of a book on a coaching program for women’s political participation conducted
through the gender unit in the Haitian mission MINUSTAH. An interview with one
of the participants and the local coach reveals some of the powerful
opportunities provided by the program. Another strategy that is often raised is
that of quotas for women’s political participation. An online discussion
conducted by iknow Politics is this month’s Feature Initiative (Item 8) and
provides useful insights into this particular tool.
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As always, we welcome your contributions to the newsletter’s content. We will
have a combined July & August edition that will be published in mid-August
and will focus on Gender, Small Arms and DDR. Contributions for that edition
should be sent to enewssubmissions@peacewomen.org by Thursday 7 August
2008.
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2. WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY NEWS
UN:
FINALLY, A STEP TOWARD CONFRONTING RAPE IN WAR
June 19, 2008 – (Human Rights Watch) The UN Security Council’s new resolution
on sexual violence is a historic achievement for a body that has all too often
ignored the plight of women and girls in conflict, Human Rights Watch said
today. Human Rights Watch applauds the council for setting out in the
resolution a clear path to systematic information-gathering on sexual violence.
Until now, the Security Council has asked for information on such violence only
in selected cases.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/International/June08/UNSteps.html
NEPAL: A SMALL VICTORY FOR NEPALI WOMEN
June 24, 2008 - (IPS) Representatives from the Madhesis, Janajatis, Dalits and
other indigenous groups were present when Nepal’s newly elected constituent
assembly sat for its very first meeting late last month, and 191 of the
601-member assembly were women.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/SouthAsia/June08/NepalWVictory.html
SIERRA LEONE: FEMALE CANDIDATES FACE HARASSMENT
June 16, 2008 – (Concord Times) A local non government organisation Friday
confirmed that female independent candidates for the local council elections
are facing harassment from their opponents in their wards.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/Africa/WestAfrica/June08/sierraleonecandidates.html
DRC: OUTCRY OVER ICC’S SCRAPPING OF RAPE CHARGES, VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
IN DRC ANGERED BY COURT’S CONTROVERSIAL MOVE
June 3, 2008 - (IWPR) Congolese women who’ve fallen victim to rape and related
crimes say they feel badly let down by the decision of the International
Criminal Court, ICC, to drop all sexual violence charges relating to the
conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/Africa/GreatLakes/June08/DRCChargesDroped.html
BOUGAINVILLE: URGENT ACTION- BOUGAINVILLE WOMEN'S MINISTER SACKED FOR TRYING
TO PREVENT CONFLICT
June 3, 2008 – (LNWDA) PRESS RELEASE: The Leitana Nehan Women's Development
Agency (LNWDA) deeply concerned about the tension brewing in Bougainville,
urges the President to reinstate sacked Women’s Minister.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/AsiaPacific/June08/BougainvilleURGENT.html
DRC: UN MISSION BEGINS SENSITIZATION TRAINING FOR GOVERNMENT TROOPS
June 20, 2008 (UN News Center) – Government forces in the Democratic Republic
of the Congo (DRC) are being given a week-long training course in child
protection, human rights, sexual violence and military justice by the United
Nations mission in the country (MONUC).
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/Africa/GreatLakes/June08/DRCTraining.html
BURMA: IN THE WAKE OF RESOLUTION ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE THE SECURITY COUNCIL
SHOULD REFER THE SITUATION IN BURMA TO THE ICC
June 20, 2008 – (Global Justice Center) PRESS RELEASE: The United Nation's
Security Council took a historic step with the passage of Resolution 1820 on
Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict. Resolution 1820 recognizes the importance of
full implementation of Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security and
reaffirms the Security Council's commitment to end sexual violence as a weapon
of war and a means to terrorize populations and destroy communities. For this
commitment to be meaningful, the Security Council must provide justice for
victims of sexual violence in armed conflict even when it is not politically
convenient.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/AsiaPacific/June08/Burma1820.html
SIERRA LEONE: SEX CRIMES CONTINUE IN PEACETIME
June 20, 2008 - (IRIN) Eight years after a civil war in Sierra Leone that
became notorious for the extent of rape and violence committed against
civilians, social workers fear that rape is more of a problem in post-conflict,
democratic society than it was during the war.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/Africa/WestAfrica/June08/sierraleonesexcrimes.html
SUDAN: RAPE IS A WAY OF LIFE FOR DARFUR'S WOMEN
June 19, 2008 - (CNN) Sudan's Darfur crisis has exploded on many fronts --
violence, hunger, displacement and looting -- but United Nations peacekeepers
say the biggest issue now affecting the region is the systematic rape of women
and children. Thousands of women as young as 4 caught in the middle of the
struggle between rebel forces and government-backed militias have become
victims of rape, they say, with some aid groups claiming that it is being used as
a weapon of ethnic cleansing.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/Africa/EastAfrica/June08/DarfurRape.html
HIGH-LEVEL CONSULTATION IN GOMA CALLS FOR ERADICATION OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND
ENDING IMPUNITY IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION
June 18, 2008 (UNIFEM) - “Rape as a weapon of war has become a defining
characteristic of the armed conflicts in the Great Lakes Region and the
Democratic Republic of Congo in particular,” said Ambassador Liberata Mulamula
at the opening of a high level consultation on Eradicating Sexual Violence and
Ending Impunity in the Great Lakes region in Goma, DRC.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/Africa/GreatLakes/June08/GreatLakesEndSGBV.html
AUSTRALIA: $2M BOOST FOR WOMEN ACTIVISTS
June 15, 2008 – (The Sydney Morning Herald) A FEMALE anti-war body and
Christian and Muslim groups will share in $2 million in grants to be announced
today.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/AsiaPacific/June08/AustraliaWILPF.html
UGANDA: WOMEN ACTIVISTS HOLD DEMO
June 10, 2008 – (New Vision) Women activists have petitioned Parliament
demanding that the Government passes all pending Bills that address violence
against women and girls. Activists assert that violence against women and girls
should be addressed as a community issue, warning that if left unattended, it
would create a public health and human rights crisis. The Domestic Violence,
Sexual Offences, Domestic Relations and Women Trafficking Bills would help curb
the increasing cases of rape and defilement.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/Africa/GreatLakes/June08/ActivistsDemo.html
KURDISTAN/IRAQ: WOMEN CLAIM NEW LAW ERODES THEIR RIGHTS
June 10, 2008 - (IWPR) Secular women’s groups and religious leaders are battling
over how much influence Islamic law should have over Iraqi Kurdistan’s new
personal status legislation. The Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, is
drafting a new personal status law to govern matters such as marriage, divorce
and inheritance, replacing the current Iraqi law that was originally drafted in
1959.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/MiddleEast/June08/KURDConstitution.html
IRAQI KIDNAP VICTIMS’ WIVES FACE FINANCIAL STRUGGLE
June 10, 2008 - (IWPR) Women whose husbands go missing in Iraq receive little
financial support and get lost in a welfare system that does not assist the
families of kidnap victims, critics said. Wives of the victims are emotionally
and financially devastated by the loss, say women's advocates, and their
suffering is heightened because often they cannot access benefits intended for
Iraq's most vulnerable.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/MiddleEast/June08/IRAQWives.html
COLOMBIA: DEFENDING WOMEN'S DEFENDERS
June 9, 2008 - (IPS) After nearly six years of the "democratic
security" policy of the government of rightwing President Álvaro Uribe,
women activists in Colombia are as vulnerable to human rights abuses as ever,
said female rights defenders who met recently in the Colombian capital.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/LatinAmerica&Carib/June08/ColombiaWdefenders.html
SERBIA: ONE IN FIVE MPS WOMEN
June 9, 2008 – (OneWorld) The Center of Modern Skills (CMS) warns the public
that the new Skupstina (Serbian Parliament) again doesn’t provide for adequate
representation of women. In spite of campaign claims by political parties that
they will promote gender equality, very few have actually taken any concrete
action towards that goal.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/CentralEasternEurope/June08/serbiaparliament.html
FORMER NUN HELPS MEXICO 'FEMICIDE' VICTIMS RECOVER
June 5, 2008 - (CSMonitor) Life in Anapra has never been easy. Many of the
hundreds of local women murdered in the past 15 years hail from this border
town, one of the most violent and marginalized communities in Mexico. And while
international attention on the "femicides" abates, the psychology of
fear, the cycle of poverty, and a stubborn macho culture are now stirred by a
wave of drug-trafficking violence in nearby Ciudad Juárez.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/LatinAmerica&Carib/June08/MexicoFemicide.html
TREATY IN UGANDA SNAGS ON 'AFRICAN VALUES'
June 2, 2008 - (Women E-News) Uganda signed the Maputo Protocol - a key women's
rights treaty in Africa - in 2003. Since then the landmark treaty has run into
religious arguments against Western influence and abortion.
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/Africa/GreatLakes/June08/UgandaAfricanValues.html
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For more regional women, peace and security news, please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/countryindex.html
For more international women, peace and security news, please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/news/International/Index.html
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3. FEATURE ANALYSIS
Security Council Resolution 1820: A move to End Sexual Violence in Conflict
On June 19, the Security Council under the Presidency of the United States held
an Open Debate on women, peace and security. An Open Debate – in which
non-Council members have an opportunity to address the Council – is not unusual
in relation to this theme on their agenda. Each October for the last seven years
there has been such a debate to mark the anniversary of the adoption of
Security Council Resolution 1325. This debate was different however. For one
this was June – and it was quite heartening that the Security Council was
taking up this theme outside of what has become an almost habitual anniversary
occasion. Another difference was that the outcome of the debate was not another
Presidential Statement but a rather more binding document – a resolution that
builds on SCR 1325 of October 2000 (some 7 1/2 years and 495 Security Council
resolutions later). At the conclusion of the Open Debate, the Security Council
unanimously passed Resolution 1820 on sexual violence in conflict, which was,
through a procedural provision also co-sponsored by some 32 other UN member
states.
This Resolution and advocacy for its adoption was not without controversy – a
situation not helped by the fact that there was not broad and open consultation
with women’s groups on its drafting. In addition, the fact that the US was
leading the debate was itself politically fraught. While this latter point was
a difficult one for women peace activists, it was alleviated by the fact that
the US was taking up an initiative driven by many women’s groups and
governments over a longer period of time than the US presidency of the Council
in June. On the Resolution itself, there were several substantive debates. One
important question was: why the focus on sexual violence? For one, Resolution
1325 provides a broad and fairly comprehensive framework for a range of issues.
It was felt that selecting this issue was somewhat arbitrary and dangerous. It
was argued that this focus would take away from the powerful breadth of SCR
1325 and reduce its importance by reducing the focus of the women, peace and security
agenda to issues of sexual violence.
For many, focusing on sexual violence in conflict is seen as reducing the
issues of women and conflict to the mere victimhood of women. As many rightly
argue, Resolution 1325 represented an important recognition of women as agents
in conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding. It should not simply be
seen as a way to make war safe for women. On other occasions where advocacy was
done to have the Council address the issue, there was opposition from some NGOs
on this very ground. For many the more important issue is women’s participation
in decision-making at all levels – recognizing women as agents. It is
undeniable that the larger goal is to ensure women’s effective and full
participation in peace and security issues. However, the reality is that women
are not either victims or agents. This is a false dichotomy. Many women who are
powerful agents of change have also been affected by sexual violence and have
been victims of violence. That does not itself define them as mere victims. The
issues of participation and violence are inextricably linked – sexual violence
is both a cause and consequence of low levels of women’s participation in all
decision making and, in fact, participation in day-to-day life. Sexual violence
does more than discourage political engagement, as a women’s rights activist
from the DRC explained, sexual violence holds communities hostage and prevents
access to markets, water-points and schools. Getting women and gender equality
concerns into the highest levels of decision-making is critical if we are to
eliminate such violence. But, this is not an easy sequential or separable
exercise. First, women’s participation is not just a high level concept. Women
must be included in discussions and decisions about their security needs and
concerns and strategies and programs for protection. It is also necessary
urgently and immediately to act to prevent and respond to sexual violence as it
is happening.
It is undeniable that sexual violence is being used as a method of war and
being perpetrated at levels that defy belief and with impunity. And as many
studies, including the 2006 Secretary-General’s Study on violence against
women, have shown, ending such violence requires a multi-dimensional and integrated
response from many different actors. The Security Council is one such actor. As
the body whose mandate is to maintain international peace and security and as
the body that through its resolutions sets the mandates of UN peacekeeping
missions and which has the power to act against countries waging war through
illegal methods, its role is vital. Women affected by violence in the DRC and
elsewhere have called on the Security Council to fulfill this role. Many may
agree with this assessment and still argue that what is needed is to fully
implement Resolution 1325. Indeed 1325 does address the issue of sexual
violence and the implementation of its commitments must continue. Indeed, a new
resolution was not needed to recognize that sexual violence can constitute a
war crime or crime against humanity. International law’s recognition of this
has outpaced the response of the Security Council. The Security Council has
done little to prevent such violence or to sanction the use of sexual violence
as a method of war.
As WILPF and other NGOs have seen as we monitor the work of the Security
Council, peacekeeping missions are not given explicit mandates to provide
protection from sexual violence; high rates of violence are not considered in
discussions on arms embargoes or sanctions; and the rates and patterns of such
violence are not reported in the Secretary-General’s reports to the Council on
countries on its agenda. Where there is no information in country-specific
reports, the Security Council, claiming a lack of credible information (the
reports of human rights and humanitarian NGOs on the ground aren’t counted)
then does not include an explicit mandate to peacekeepers to prevent, protect
and respond to sexual violence. Time and again members of the Security Council
argue that the issue of sexual violence is not within their purview. It is not,
they argue, a matter of international peace and security. While this argument
may seem somewhat absurd, Resolution 1820 puts this debate to rest – as the US
Secretary of State, chairing the debate, noted, on the question of whether
systematic sexual violence belongs on the Council’s agenda – the answer is a
resounding yes.
Much work remains to be done to implement 1325 and now Resolution 1820 and 1820
is itself not a perfect response. As with most negotiated texts, provisos,
passive language and sovereignty concerns make commitments weaker than they
might have been. Certainly there are vital issues like the provision of
comprehensive services to survivors and commitment of resources that are not
comprehensively covered. In part this is because some of these issues must be
taken up elsewhere in the UN system and by national governments. Also, because
of the work done to link the issue to the protection of civilians – an explicit
theme on the Council’s agenda, Resolution 1820 at times conveys the idea that
it is only sexual violence against civilians that is of concern. These various
issues must be addressed but it is important at the same time to recognize this
resolution is an important step forward:
1)
The Resolution clearly establishes that sexual violence in conflict situations
is a matter for the Security Council to consider and act upon. The Security
Council in the resolution’s first operative paragraph,
Stresses that sexual violence, when used or commissioned as a tactic of war
in order to deliberately target civilians or as part of a widespread or
systematic attack against civilian populations, can significantly exacerbate
situations of armed conflict and may impede the restoration of international
peace and security, affirms in this regard that effective steps to prevent and
respond to such acts of sexual violence can significantly contribute to the
maintenance of international peace and security, and expresses its readiness,
when considering situations on the agenda of the Council, to, where necessary,
adopt appropriate steps to address widespread or systematic sexual violence.
In terms of actions to be taken, the Council affirms its intention when
renewing sanctions regimes to consider taking measures against parties who
commit rape and other forms of sexual violence in armed conflict (see OP 4) It
also provides explicit examples of possible measures to provide protection from
sexual violence (see OP3) – including vetting armed and security forces to take
into account past abuses, evacuation of those under imminent threat of sexual
violence and, in a first in terms of language and concepts for a resolution
from this body – “debunking myths that fuel sexual violence.”
2) While this Security Council Resolution does not itself make rape and other
forms of sexual violence a war crime, crime against humanity or constitutive
act with respect to genocide, it does note that such violence can constitute
such (see OP 4). It essentially explicitly notes existing international law,
although it does not include explicit references to torture or to the inclusion
of crimes of sexual violence in the statute for the International Criminal
Court – no doubt an omission driven by the sponsoring US government’s attitude
to these two issues. It does, however, emphasize and reiterate previous calls
to end impunity – both at the international and national level – and, in
language that is somewhat stronger than Resolution 1325, “stresses the need for
the exclusion of sexual violence crimes from amnesty provisions in the context
of conflict resolution processes” (see OP 4).
3) The Resolution explicitly requests the Secretary-General to include
information and recommendations on the protection of women and girls in his
country-specific reports to the Council. It also requests the Secretary-General
to provide an extensive report on the implementation of Resolution 1820,
information on the use of sexual violence (including prevalence and trends),
strategies to prevent such violence and benchmarks for measuring progress in
this. A significant request here, and one which goes to the root of the problem
of the Council’s inattention to the issue, is for the Secretary-General to
report on his plans for improving the flow of information on sexual violence.
This will hopefully then contribute to a significantly improved response.
4) The Resolution recognizes the importance of women’s participation and
reaffirms their role in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in
post-conflict peacebuilding as well as the importance of their full
participation in peace and security matters. Significantly these paragraphs
also recognize the link between sexual violence and women’s participation where
the Security Council notes that it is:
Deeply concerned also about the persistent obstacles and challenges to
women’s participation and full involvement in the prevention and resolution of
conflict as a result of violence, intimidation and discrimination, which erode
women’s capacity and legitimacy to participate in post-conflict public life,
and acknowledging the negative impact this has on durable peace, security and
reconciliation, including post-conflict peacebuilding.
The inclusion of participation is also included to some extent in the operative
parts of the resolution. In demanding that parties to armed conflict take
appropriate protection measures and that the Secretary-General facilitate
dialogue to address the issue in the context of conflict resolution, it
requires “taking into account, inter alia, the views expressed by women of
affected local communities” (see OP3). The Secretary-General and UN entities to
are requested to develop protection mechanisms in relation to refugee and IDP
camps and in DDR, justice and security sector reform processes. The development
of these is to be “through consultation with women and women-led organizations”
(albeit with the weakening proviso that this be done where appropriate) (see
OP10). The role the Peacebuilding Commission can play is also stressed through
“ensuring consultation and effective representation of women’s civil society in
its country-specific configurations” (see OP11). More broadly the
Secretary-General and his envoys are urged to include women in peace processes
and encourages parties to such talks to facilitate women’s full and equal
participation (see OP12). Finally, in developing his “global” report, the
Secretary-General is requested to include “appropriate input from United
Nations implementing partners in the field” – which could include women’s
groups and other NGOs (see OP15).
Other important provisions include explicit requests for training of personnel
including pre-deployment training and urging the development and strengthening
of the response capacity of national institutions (including judicial and
health systems) and local civil society networks
While this resolution is not perfect and while it alone does not constitute
effective action to end sexual violence, it is an important and welcome step.
It is another tool to bolster our broader work on Resolution 1325. We must
remain vigilant in ensuring that implementation of Resolution 1325 continues
and that Resolution 1820 is implemented in ways that include women and that
place the well-being of survivors at the centre of all efforts. We look forward
to the Security Council, in particular, putting into practice the words and
notions of Resolution 1820.
For a printer friendly version of this analysis please visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/PW_1820_Analysis.pdf
For the full text of Resolution 1820, please visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/SV_res_final_draft08.pdf
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4. SECURITY COUNCIL FOCUS
Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace And Security
19 June, 2008, UN HQ
The
Security Council, under the Presidency of the United States, held an Open
Debate on women, peace and security with a focus on ending sexual violence in
conflict. The PeaceWomen Project has created web pages featuring links to all
statements made at the debate and to Resolution 1820. Also included are links
to recommendations to Member States from the NGOWG on women, peace and security
and to the PeaceWomen Thematic Compilation of Statements featured below.
Open Debate Governmental, UN & other Statements:
Security Council Members:
Belgium, Burkina Faso, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, France, Indonesia,
Italy, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Panama,
Russian Federation, South Africa, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, United States, Viet Nam.
Non-Security Council Members:
Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Benin, Bosnia &
Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, El Salvador, Germany, Iceland (on behalf
of Nordic Countries), Ireland, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Liberia,
Liechtenstein, Mauritania, Mexico, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria,
Philippines, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, San Marino, Slovenia (EU), Spain,
Switzerland, Tonga, Tunisia, United Republic of Tanzania, African Union.
UN & Other:
To access the Member States and speaker statements index, please visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/OD_index.html
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Thematic Compilation Of Statements At Un Security Council Open Debate On
Women, Peace And Security
The PeaceWomen Team
The PeaceWomen Project has compiled excerpts, arranged by theme, from
statements made during the Security Council Open Debate held on 19 June 2008.
The compilation deals with the following themes:
· Resolution 1325 Implementation
· Link with International Peace & Security/ Rape as a “Weapon” of War
· Monitoring and Reporting
· Peacekeeping
· Ending Impunity
· Protection & Victim Response
· Prevention of Conflict and Violence
· Participation of Women
To access our thematic index, please visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/Thematic_Index.html
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Themes And Samples Of Excerpts Featured In The Compilation:
Link with International Peace & Security/ Rape as a “weapon” of War
Belgium
It is a question of peace and security, Madam President, as you yourself
rightly said at the outset. It is our conviction that this issue also involves
our concept both of the human being and of humanity; our joint responsibility
through a debate of this kind is to conduct our fight at the highest political
level to deal with the unacceptable phenomenon of sexual violence in armed
conflict.
Canada
The Security Council must demonstrate its resolute commitment to defending and
maintaining international peace and security by stepping up and taking action
against sexual violence. It should now be abundantly clear to all: The
systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war demands an effective,
timely and proportionate response by the Security Council.
Costa Rica
We should not trivialize this phenomenon, since doing so would mean that we
would continue failing to prevent it and to respond effectively. It is
indisputable that sexual violence, when it is carried out in a systematic,
generalized mannered and as part of an attack against innocent populations, exacerbates
armed conflicts and becomes an enormous obstacle to their resolution and to the
consolidation of peace.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
This current meeting, indeed, once again places the question of sexual violence
against women at the heart of the concerns of the Security Council.
Korea
My delegation would like to make clear its position on key issues for today's
deliberation. Firstly, with respect to the link between sexual violence and
peace and security, the Republic of Korea fully recognizes that sexual violence
is a security issue as well as a fundamental human rights issue. Given this
connection, the Republic of Korea supports every effort to end sexual violence
in armed conflict not only for the sake of human rights but also for sustainable
peace and security.
Netherlands
The Netherlands very much welcomes this open debate and commends the US
Presidency for its effort to put this heinous crime so prominently on the
agenda of the Council. Sexual violence is linked to peace and security. The
adoption of a resolution will be an important step in recognizing this link.
United Kingdom
Madam President, in conflict women and children suffer disproportionately.
Sexual violence is among the very worst atrocities that they face, and it is
increasingly being used as a deliberate method of warfare.
…….And that is the point. The trauma and injuries caused by sexual violence are
designed to cripple communities, trigger revenge attacks, and cause lasting
bitterness. In this way gender-based violence feeds the fires of conflicts that
this Council is dedicated to extinguishing.
United States
As many of you know, for years, there’s been a debate about whether or not
sexual violence against women is a security issue for this forum to address. I
am proud that today, we respond to that lingering question with a resounding
yes. This world body now acknowledges that sexual violence in conflict zones is
indeed a security concern. We affirm that sexual violence profoundly affects
not only the health and safety of women, but the economic and social stability
of their nations.
Extracts from the Open Debate on this theme can be found at:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/Peace_Security.htm
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Monitoring
and Reporting
Security Council Focal Point and/or Working Group
Liberia
The resolution needs accountability or measurement mechanisms; it needs
benchmarks and targets for implementation, with institutional structures and
focal points identified within the United Nations system dedicated specifically
to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.
Netherlands
Finally, we hope that this process also includes the monitoring of actions
taken by parties to implement their responsibilities.
Switzerland
Thirdly, the Security Council should consider establishing a monitoring
mechanism to increase accountability and to ensure the integration of
Resolution 1 325 into the country-specific and related thematic work. To this
end, the Council should also set up a structure for obtaining timely, accurate
and reliable information on sexual violence committed in situations of armed
conflict and beyond. UN field missions could be entrusted with this task and
thus serve as an "early warning system".
Inclusion of information in country-specific reporting to Council
Belgium
This perhaps complements the Secretary-General’s initiative to designate a
messenger for peace, of which he spoke earlier — relates to documenting the
magnitude of this phenomenon, its roots, its evolution and the preparations for
the work that must be done by the courts, whether national or international.
Here, I would like to suggest that the Secretary-General might appoint a woman
special investigator on sexual violence in armed conflict to carry out the
systematic collection of information and to gather all the material that is
already available in the field, whether from peacekeeping operations, the
United Nations agencies or others operating in the field. All of this should
lead us towards zero impunity, and we must clearly affirm the United Nations
commitment to peace and security. That must be translated into efforts to
tirelessly and determinedly hunt down the perpetrators of these crimes so that
those monsters will never again be able to sleep in peace.
Burkina Faso
If conflict does erupt, several actions must follow. In particular, the Council
must have at its disposal precise, relevant and credible information about the
nature of the violence in all its aspects, including information about those
who planned and carried it out.
Canada
Through rigorous data collection and monitoring, the Council would increase its
capacity to develop effective peace support mandates that better address this
violence, including by way of prevention in the first instance.
Panama
In order to improve the ability of the Security Council to react effectively to
this challenge, we need credible and relevant information about sexual
violence. It is therefore imperative that the Secretary- General provide the
Council with periodic reports highlighting the deep-rooted causes of the
phenomenon, as well as the most effective strategies to combat it. In relevant
cases, the Secretary-General should also include more detailed information
about the issue in his reports on specific conflict situations.
United States
Today’s resolution establishes a mechanism for bringing these atrocities to
light. Specifically, the resolution requests that the Secretary General prepare
an action plan for collecting information on the use of sexual violence in
situations of armed conflict and then reporting that information periodically
to the Council.
Global Report from Secretary-General
Argentina
In order to ensure effective measures are adopted, we consider it will be particularly useful to have a Report by the Secretary General, systematizing and analyzing the information available to the UN system, with a specific focus in the shocking phenomenon of sexual violence as a political and military tool.
Canada
Canada strongly believes that a report by the Secretary General to the Council which includes recommendations to improve the UN's response, both within the Security Council and beyond, to eliminate sexual violence in conflict situations, would be valuable. The report should draw on the full breadth of expertise including from UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict and relevant non-governmental organizations and women's groups at the local and global levels. An independent expert could be appointed to lead this study.
Extracts from the Open Debate on this theme can be found at:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/Monitoring_Reporting.htm
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Peacekeeping
Gender Training
Australia
The role of police in peacekeeping operations is also of fundamental importance. The specific function of police in times of crisis will differ for example, they may be responsible for responding directly to incidents, or they may provide a mentoring role for local police. Regardless of their role, effective training is always essential
Bangladesh
Peacekeeping operations are no longer limited to military activities. They now have broader mandates to assist in elections, monitor human rights and carry out police functions. Multifaceted peacekeeping operations thus have large potential in addressing the security of women. These operations now have greater impact on people's lives particularly of women and girls who can largely benefit from the increased security.
Ghana
Troop-contributing countries must take responsibility for deploying well trained peacekeepers. The term “well-trained” must be redefined to include having gender awareness. Gender training should also take place in national staff colleges; it should be realistic and based on exercises, case studies and split-second decision-making.
Netherlands
Gender training is mandatory and is included in the curriculum of the School for Peace Operations. We believe that all peace keeping troops and police contingents should follow comprehensive gender training before deployment. Moreover, gender awareness training should be mandatory for all persons in leadership positions in conflict and peace building situations, including civil, military and diplomatic representatives.
Tanzania
In the same vein, the national defense policies of troop contributing countries need to be explicit and emphatic on protection of civilians, including women and girls, in training their troops for peacekeeping missions.
Vietnam
As far as peacekeeping missions are concerned, we support the recommendation contained in the draft resolution presented for adoption today by the Council that the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Security Council, the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and its Working Group and relevant States to develop aid implement appropriate training programs for all peacekeeping and humanitarian personnel deployed by the United Nations in the context of missions as mandated by the Council to help them better prevent, recognize and respond to sexual violence and other forms of violence against civilians.
Mandates
Austria
UN presence on the ground can make a difference for women in armed conflict.
Regrettably the Security Council has often missed the chance to peacekeeping
missions with mandates allowing them to effectively prevent sexual violence
against women and girls. The credibility of peacekeeping operations is at stake
if they are not able to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical
violence. MONUC which is mandated to strengthen prevention, protection and
response to sexual violence can serve as a positive example. As a logic
consequence, the issue of widespread sexual violence should be included in the
regular reporting to the Security Council.
Canada
Canada welcomes the most recent renewal of the peacekeeping mandate of the UN
Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) in Security Council resolution
1794, which provides the mission with a more explicit mandate for action to
eliminate sexual violence. It should serve as the basis for future mandates by
the Council. Unfortunately, the notable absence of equally strong provisions
regarding sexual violence in Security Council resolutions 1795 on Cote d'lvoire
and 1812 on Sudan, both adopted after 1794, demonstrated that inconsistency in
the Council's approach to sexual violence in mission mandates continues.
Liechtenstein
Protection of civilians must be an inherent task for all peacekeeping missions.
This applies in particular to acts of sexual violence. Peacekeepers are
currently providing protection, including against sexual violence, only on an
ad-hoc basis and under a flexible interpretation of their vague mandates.
Future mandates must provide clear guidance, in particular to commanders, on
how to protect civilians, including girls and women from sexual violence.
Spain
The Government of Spain supports the creation of special units, within the
peacekeeping operations, to pay individual attention to women and girls who
have been targets of sexual violence. These units should be composed of
specialized personnel, with the aim to become centers of coordination of the
activities of the UN system and the donor community as a whole. The
implementation of those measures could serve a double objective: on the one
hand, It will improve the protection of victims, serving at the same time as a
privileged means to gather information on the gravity of the situation on the
ground.
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by UN Personnel
Australia
Any act of sexual violence or exploitation by UN personnel undermines the credibility of the UN in times of crisis and impedes a UN mission from implementing its mandate. More than that, it is a gross breach of trust. Any act by UN personnel which impedes its most fundamental role - responding to threats to international peace and security - is unacceptable.
Australia strongly supports the Secretary-General's zero tolerance policy, and we welcome the significant progress made to eliminate and address sexual exploitation .and abuse by UN personnel, including revision of the Model MOU and the adoption of a Victim Assistance Strategy.
The absence of an effective system to prosecute UN personnel who, while a member of a peacekeeping mission, perpetrate sexual crimes, should not lead to impunity. Where this is the case, the state of nationality should take action to hold their own nationals to account.
Liechtenstein
Most importantly, those who are supposed to provide protection must not themselves become perpetrators: All acts of sexual violence committed by peacekeepers, including sexual exploitation of local woman and child prostitution, are unacceptable. Such acts heavily undermine the credibility and effectiveness of any given peace operation, but also of the organization as a whole. Zero tolerance can be the only answer to such incidents. Indeed, the ultimate goal must be that the attitude and behavior of peacekeepers towards women can serve as a model for local communities.
Gender Balance and Recruiting in Peackeeping
Benin
It nearly goes without saying that the deployment of women in the contingents
would make the fight against sexual violence more effective because it could
facilitate contact and the gathering of sensitive information. But the absence
of women in these contingents should not impede the development of effective
strategies to counter this phenomenon.
Ghana
We wish to emphasize that women peacekeepers serve as role models and encourage
girl soldiers and victims to embrace programmes to disarm former combatants and
generally have a salutary and positive impact on security sector reform,
electoral support and gender mainstreaming in broken societies where women are
even more marginalized.
Mauritania
Women must also play an active role in peacekeeping operations. Such
participation is currently limited; this is especially linked to language
issues. To work for the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur
as a military adviser, it is not enough to speak two official languages of the
United Nations. This linguistic obstacle must be overcome to allow women who
have the qualifications and who speak at least two United Nations languages to
apply for a post in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations if they wish.
Netherlands
Additionally, the UN should make an extra effort to appoint more women in
senior leadership positions in peacekeeping missions.
Philippines
Finally Mr. President, the Philippines, as one of the largest, if not the
largest, contributors of individual police officers to UN peacekeeping
operations, could also support calls for the deployment of more female police
officers, especially those experienced in handling gender violence cases. We
hope that such contribution would help bring about better monitoring, reporting
and response to cases of gender violence in conflict areas.
South Africa
Gender-sensitive training, the deployment of more women peacekeepers and
appointment of more women Special Representatives and Envoys of the
Secretary-General should be implemented. There is practical evidence that the
deployment of women enhances the impact of peacekeeping, especially for women
and children in conflict areas. The deployment of women facilitates engagement
with local women through the setting up of women's desks in IDP and refugee
camps that assists women to talk about their needs and trauma, including
information sharing on sexual harassment, abuse and rape.
Extracts from the Open Debate on this theme can be found at:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/Peacekeeping.htm
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Ending
Impunity
International Law & ICC
Argentina
Finally, Argentina considers that any effective response to this question must include two pillars: the defense of full respect for the human rights of the victim:; and an end to impunity for the perpetrators. In this regard, we believe that the draft resolution before us today would have benefited from a strengthened reference to the legal framework, and particularly with a firm reaffirmation of the Rome Statue and the International Criminal Court, the main tool available today to the international community to make sure nobody can commit with impunity heinous crimes such as the ones we are considering today.
Austria
This situation demands further action of the Security Council to strengthen the rule of law to end impunity. Some of the existing mechanisms and tools of the Council have unfortunately been underutilized. We therefore call on the Council to make full use of the range of measures and tools available, including the imposition of targeted measures and referrals to the International Criminal Court. We also call on Member States to strengthen the rule of law and fully utilize accountability mechanisms to bring to justice perpetrators of violations against women and girls.
Belgium
We also need to support an international response in the judicial sphere…First of all, we have to mobilize our efforts to make the International Criminal Court more accessible to victims. I would like to draw attention to the strengthened role that could and should be played by the Trust Fund for Victims. It must be effective and must meet the needs of victims where other initiatives are lacking. In that context, I would like to encourage the Executive Director and the Board of Directors of the Fund not to hesitate to appeal for specific contributions where the situation so justifies.
Benin
While amnesty for warlords is often the price to pay in concluding peace accords, it is important to ensure that serious crimes not be covered up, as long as they are properly documented.
Canada
Canada calls on States to cooperate in the four conflict and post-conflict situations in which the International Criminal Court is active: the region of Darfur in Sudan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, to ensure perpetrators of serious international crimes are held responsible. The rule of law, justice and accountability are essential to durable peace.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Prevention — by no means the least important issue — chiefly concerns the fight against impunity, including the fight against ignorance by disseminating the relevant international legal instruments available and the laws on sexual violence, so that women victims know their rights and so that the judges know what their powers are.
Slovenia (on behalf of the European Union)
Durable peace and reconciliation are heavily compromised if the perpetrators of such acts are not prosecuted. Impunity for perpetrators and insufficient response to the needs of survivors are unacceptable. The grave violations of women's human rights, through massive rape and other sexual violence require the immediate attention of organizations like the International Criminal Court and other relevant tribunals. Furthermore, international and national courts should have adequate resources, access to gender expertise, gender training for all staff, including judges, and gender-sensitive programs in order to more effectively prosecute those responsible for such crimes.
Spain
International Law does have appropriate mechanisms, especially the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which categorizes systematic rape as a war crime, crime against humanity and it could even constitute an act of genocide. The universal accession to this Statute would well constitute a crucial step forward in the fight against impunity.
National Systems: Rule of Law, SSR, Justice
Democratic Republic of the Congo
We wish also to provide more legal aid, to encourage victims to bring their cases to court by paying their legal fees, and protecting them from their rapists, who are often extremely threatening.
The judicial and penal infrastructure, which has been ravaged by years of war and pillaging, should be improved and better equipped in order to prevent breakouts of the rapists who have been sentenced or are in detention. Another element is strengthening the capacity of judges in this area and training women judges in order to provide legal assistance to victims. Prevention also involves increasing the number of female military, police and civilian officers in order to enhance the collection of information on violence against women. This list is not exhaustive, but it also includes a procedure to prevent rapists from being able to hold positions of responsibility and, if necessary, to relieve them of their functions.
Liberia
With the support from the United Nation, the government will soon have a special court in the Temple of Justice that meets the international standards, dedicated to the prosecution of sexual offenses including rape, the first country in Africa to establish such court. This special court will undoubtedly contribute to responding to backlog of sexual offense cases including rape while ensuring the protection of the identity of the witnesses using for the first time in-camera trials.
South Africa
The security sector of conflict and post-conflict countries must be reformed to prevent and better respond to sexual violence. In order to build effective, non-discriminatory and representative security institutions, it is essential to provide personnel with effective and sustainable gender training and capacity building. Women's access to justice and participation in the legal system would also contribute meaningfully to a well-functioning and gender-sensitive security framework.
Extracts from the Open Debate on this theme can be found at:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/EndingImpunity.htm
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Protection
& Victim Response
Belgium
Behind the statistics printed on glossy paper, there are tens of thousands of
women, tens of thousands of young girls, whose lives have been affected in
their very flesh and in their minds for the rest of their lives. There are
families who have been dismantled, torn apart, torn to pieces by those horrific
events. We have the responsibility to act to meet the medical needs, the social
and psychological needs and the need for legal assistance, and to provide
assistance to families and others to those near them. We must commit ourselves
to reintegrating them into society, into economic life. Reports from the field
lead me to believe that the extreme urgency of radically improving the
coordination of international aid is a determining factor. We have to get
closer to the victims in the field. We cannot simply content ourselves with a
humanitarian presence in a few major centres. I believe that this is a very
specific and important issue.
Benin
At the same time, we must put an end to the stigmatization of women who are
victims of rape and give them back their dignity by organizing
awareness-raising campaigns and by establishing structures for psychological
rehabilitation. This type of assistance to victims and to communities affected
by armed conflict should be taken into account in the mandates of peacekeeping
and peacebuilding operations.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
There have been two years since the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina
adopted Five Year Gender Action Plan. This Plan incorporates the main
provisions of the Resolution 1325. Much has been achieved in the field of
adopting the appropriate legislation on protection of civil victims of war.
This law gives women victims a status of civil victims of war, and helps them
on their path to full recovery into the community, giving them a chance for
professional improvement, monthly allowances as well as medical and psychosocial
assistance. According to the Plan certain expert teams have been formed,
providing analyses and legal assistance to the victims, conducting workshops on
the basis learned and shared" etc.
Slovenia (on behalf of the European Union)
There is a strong need to develop and promote innovative approaches that turn
women as victims of rape into rape-"survivors”. Such approaches should
ensure their safety and support their access to justice as well as actively
support their economic empowerment through income-generating activities.
Furthermore, they should also ensure adequate care, recognizing their sexual
and reproductive health needs including for obstetric and gynaecological care,
for the physical and psychological damage caused by the violence.
Extracts from the Open Debate on this theme can be found at:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/Protection.htm
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Prevention of Conflict and Violence
Burkina Faso
First of all, we must work to prevent conflict. We must make every effort to ensure that democracy and the rule of law take root, as well as to promote good governance and effective development policies. We must also devote resources to educating women and young girls. Education and training are the primary tools we must give them to help them empower themselves and participate in every aspect of the social, political and economic arenas, including even the military.
Myanmar
The need to prevent armed conflict and to bring to a speedy conclusion in situations of armed conflict cannot be overemphasized . . . Therefore, we firmly believe that tackling the root causes of conflict which include disunity, poverty, socio-economic and gender inequality and underdevelopment are extremely important.
Netherlands
Firstly, we need to target men. Gender equality and women's empowerment cannot be achieved without the involvement of men. Men need to talk to men. And they have to speak openly to militia leader, gang leaders and sometimes the generals to be better role models. If we want sexual violence to end, we need to raise awareness among men about the consequences of their actions. In situations of conflict, boys and men are constantly confronted with models of violent masculinity. Discussions should take place between men and women, with boys and girls, within communities, also to start the healing process and break the cycle of sexual violence.
Russia
Ensuring the social and economic development of States is a main factor in preventing conflict and violence.
Extracts from the Open Debate on this theme can be found at:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/Prevention.htm
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Participation of Women
Consultation in Security Assessments, Strategies & Programs
Ghana
There is a need for greater recognition of the roles women play in peace
consolidation, and they should must be consulted in all activities undertaken
on their behalf and be equitably represented in strategic responses to
violations.
Better liaison with women’s constituencies can improve access to operational
intelligence and can serve as force multipliers in the achievement of mission objectives.
Increasing women’s voice in security and governance structures can help weed
out the root causes of violence and discrimination.
Netherlands
Finally, Mr. President, women are not only victims. It cannot be repeated
enough that women and women's organizations have to be included in peace and
reconciliation processes. They also need to be involved in formulating justice
and reparation programmes, including post rape care.
Switzerland
Additionally, the Security Council might wish to ask the Secretary-General to
submit reports on "lessons learned based on the expertise of UN
specialised agencies or programmes, such as UNIFEM and UNICEF, and take into
account the security assessments of local and international women's groups.
Conflict Resolution, Prevention & Peacebuilding
Bangladesh
The true measure of women's participation in peace negotiations is not, through
numbers, but through power in decision making. In the consolidation of peace
the role of women remains vital but often ignored.
Philippines
Because the roles that women play are critical to addressing the issues that
affect them, the Philippines remains convinced that women must be harnessed as
active agents in confronting gender/based violence.
Russia
Women’s full participation in peace negotiations and post-conflict recovery
efforts is an important precondition for the elimination of violence against
women
South Africa
Sexual violence in conflict situations is inextricably linked to gender inequality
and we therefore need to advocate more strongly for the equal participation and
full involvement of women in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of
peace and security.
United Kingdom
My government believes that the Security Council should show leadership
on the issue of sexual violence by:
… Ensuring that that we provide for women's participation in all processes
relevant to conflict resolution and peacebuilding. The proliferation of sexual
violence against women is in part aimed at excluding and marginalising women's
roles in society and in rebuilding communities. We have to correct that.
Appointments
Austria
We are encouraged by the Secretary General's recent appointments of women as
Special Representatives and Envoys as well as to leading positions in the
Secretariat. We hope to see more female appointments in the near future and
thus reiterate our call on all Member States to support, encourage and nominate
women for such positions.
China
Recent years have witnessed a great number of positive measures taken by the
Secretariat to increase the ratio of women in senior positions and at the head
of peacekeeping missions. More efforts are needed in this direction in the
future.
Liechtenstein
In particular, the United Nations must appoint more women to senior positions
with regard to preventive diplomacy, mediation and peace operations. This would
have a clear impact on the topic under discussion today: Appointing more women
to leading positions would have a catalytic effect and empower women affected
by armed conflict. It would strengthen the perception that women are
stakeholders – as opposed to mere victims or aid recipients. A few years ago,
during my time as Permanent Representative in New York, I headed a group of
like-minded Ambassadors aiming to increase the presence of women in such
positions. The success of our cooperation with the Secretary-General in this
regard was very modest indeed – and several years later, it is sad to note that
almost no progress has been made, in spite of repeated expressions of good
intent from all sides.
Extracts from the Open Debate on this theme can be found at:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/Participation.htm
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Resolution 1325 Implementation
Canada
At the same time, Security Council resolution 1325 requires systematic implementation and monitoring if we are to respond adequately to conflicts. Last October, Canada called on the Security Council to establish a mechanism to monitor its own actions in the integration of resolution 1325 into its daily work. Canada again calls on the Council to establish such a monitoring mechanism with a mandate to regularly and actively monitor progress in 1325 implementation in the Council's work.
Korea
Five fundamental challenges have to be met if Security Council Resolution 1325 is to be translated into effective actions worldwide:
1. Review the progress under UNSCR 1325, including a field-based research of what has and has not worked in key situations
2. Identify the constraints within the United Nations in particular, but also within governments, civil society and regional organizations, to implementing UNSC 1325 and identify mechanisms to ensure accountability and metrics for progress, including time-bound goals for specific UNSCR 1325 provisions.
3. Form partnerships among like-minded governments, UN departments, NGOs and others committed to implementing UNSCR 1325 to identify and implement the programs noted above
4. Establish systematic funding implementing this resolution in particular to address GBV
5. Draw together the advocates of forceful implementation of UNSCR 1325 to serve as a de facto lobby on its behalf.
A serious commitment to the objectives, of SCR1325 requires adequate funding as well.
Nigeria
The Nigerian delegation…. welcomes this new milestone resolution as a follow up to resolution 1325. But like resolution 1325, the critical challenge is how to ensure its steady and widespread implementation, particularly in conflict and post conflict areas.
In addition, the political will necessary for implementing Resolution 1325 at the national and regional levels is not evident in many cases. The fact that there is no requirement in place to ensure universal observance of relevant Conventions and principles has created further room for inconsistency among States.
Rwanda
We also strongly believe, that in order for the United Nations System to respond in a more coordinated, coherent and effective manner, urgent attention needs to be placed on strengthening the UN System's work on gender.
United Kingdom
Security Council resolutions 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and 1674 on Protection of Civilians have provided an important foundation.
We are realistic. Sexual violence will sadly not go away overnight. But SCR 1325 is a crucial building block to tackling this growing problem
Extracts from the Open Debate on this theme can be found at:
http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/1325Implementation.htm
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Women, Peace and Security: Sexual Violence in Situations of Armed Conflict
Security Council Report, June 11, 2008
An independent organization, Security Council Report monitors and provides with
an Security Council’s monthly activities. Prior to June 19 Open Debate, a
special report on Women, Peace and Security was published. It includes areas of
focus for the debate, elements included in the first draft resolution on sexual
violence, key recent developments leading up to the debate, and background
information on the issue of sexual violence.
For the full report, please visit http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/Human_Rights/SCRreport.pdf
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To access the Member States and speaker statements index, please visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/OD_index.html
To access our Resolution Watch thematic index, please visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/Thematic_Index.html
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5. FEATURE STATEMENT
Congolese Women Appeal to the UN Security Council to Help End Sexual Violence
A Coalition of 71 Congolese NGOs, representing the women of DRC, June 12,
2008
Your Excellencies,
In the name of Congolese women, we thank you for the
attention you are giving to the scourge of sexual violence in conflict and
post-conflict situations. We believe the Security Council has an essential role
to play in ending the abuses that we, and our sisters elsewhere, continue to
suffer. Indeed, thousands of girls and women in conflict zones around the world
are victims of rape and sexual violence committed by members of armed groups.
We are heartened that the Council is set to discuss this issue on June 19, and
we urge you to fulfill your obligations as guardians of international peace and
security.
We, the 71 Congolese organizations representing the women of DRC, would like to
take this opportunity to express our grave concerns about the tragedy sexual
violence has inflicted on women and young girls in our country, particularly in
the east. We have suffered greatly during the years of war. Despite efforts at
the international, regional, national and local levels to bring peace to DRC, the
war against women rages on.
We fear the extermination of our society due to acts of sexual violence which,
once committed against one woman, has consequences for her children and the
entire community. All the armed groups and even our own Congolese army brought
sexual violence to our country, and now, after several years of destruction,
this menace has unfortunately become a part of our culture.
It is difficult to imagine the number of people, men and women alike, who have
died due to sexual violence. In the province of North Kivu, just in the month
of April 2008, over 880 cases of rape were documented by NGOs and United
Nations agencies. Yet this represents only a tenth of the cases that are left
unreported because of widespread fear, shame, stigmatization, isolation and
impunity.
We are vulnerable in our fields, in the streets, and even in our own homes.
Even our daughters as young as 3 years old are vulnerable when they are playing
with their friends or are on the way to school. The nuclear family, the base of
our society, no longer exists. Today in Congo, the woman has become an object.
We are not protected. We have no justice. There is a crisis of authority and a
culture of impunity.
We constitute over 52% of the Congolese population, but we occupy fewer than
10% of the positions of authority, in violation of our own constitution, while
the war against us continues.
Convinced that sexual violence constitutes a war crime and a crime against
humanity, this scourge must be clearly perceived as a threat to peace and
security in Africa and in the entire world. We welcome the Security Council’s
intention to adopt a special resolution in relation to sexual violence. We hope
that this resolution, which will be of the utmost importance for us and for
women around the world, will at least take into account our pressing concerns
and the following recommendations:
Given the catastrophic scale of the war on women in our country, we hope the
Security Council will grant our concerns and recommendations the serious
attention they require.
Yours sincerely,
A Coalition of 71 Congolese NGOs representing the women of DRC, June 12, 2008
To read the original statement and view the complete list of NGOs, please
visit: http://www.resistingwomen.net/spip.php?article376
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6. FEATURE RESOURCES
Women and War
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), May 2008
War
and violence today spare no one, but they affect men, women, boys and girls in
different ways. More conflicts are now fought internally between rival ethnic,
religious or political groups over the control of resources, territories or
populations. But whether the violence is internal or cross-border, civilians
are all too often caught in the firing line, directly targeted or endangered by
the proximity of the fighting. Women and girls in war-torn countries are
therefore faced with unimaginable risks, threats and challenges.
Women are not a homogeneous group, and they experience war in a multitude of
ways – as victims, combatants or promoters of peace. War can mean violence,
fear, loss of loved ones, deprivation of livelihood, sexual violence,
abandonment, increased responsibility for family members, detention,
displacement, physical injury, and sometimes death. It forces women and girls
into unfamiliar roles and requires them to strengthen existing coping skills
and develop new ones.
To read the full report, please click http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/Human_Rights/womenandwar08.pdf
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Women Building Peace and Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict-Affected
Contexts
UNIFEM, October 2007
UNIFEM
is directly tackling the challenge of implementing SCR 1325 at the community
level in order to build womens’ engagement in peace-building and public
decision-making, and to protect women and children in communities around the
world. This paper is a background review of community-based peace-building
initiatives. It is intended to inform UNIFEM’s program “Supporting Women’s
Engagement in Peace-Building and Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict:
Community-Led Approaches.” The paper examines the barriers women face, and
highlights examples of women’s successful engagement in peace-building that
were selected on the basis of being simple yet innovative and explicitly
community-based.
To view the report, please click http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/Human_Rights/SGBVPeacebuilding.pdf
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For more women, peace and security resources, visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/resourcesindex.html
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7. FEATURE EVENTS
Human Rights Council and the Human Rights of Women
Human Rights Council’s 8th Regular Session, June 5, 2008
Extracts from Report by WILPF Interns: Kirsty Mckay with contributions from
Ashley Farnan
On
June 5, 2008, during its 8th Regular Session, the Human Rights Council (HRC) in
Geneva hosted two interactive panels with experts on the human rights of women.
The first panel, “Addressing Violence Against Women: Setting Priorities”,
convened with a view toward setting priorities for the HRC’s work on this
issue. The second panel addressed maternal mortality and women’s human
rights. The discussion of the first panel aimed at addressing how to
integrate the issue of violence against women (VAW) into the full agenda of the
HRC, in both regular and special sessions, as well as into the work of Special
Procedures and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and finally as a criteria
for membership on the Council.
The speakers on the first panel included Louise Arbour, the High Commissioner
on Human Rights; Pauline Veloso, former Minister of the General Secretariat of
the Presidency and former Deputy Head of the National Women’s Agency of Chile;
Kathleen Cravero, Assistant Administrator and Director, Bureau for Crisis
Prevention and Recovery UNDP; Isabel Martinez Lazaro, Secretary General for
Equalities Policies, Spain; and Alejandra Sardá of the Network Latin American
and Caribbean Committee for the Defence of Women‘ s Rights. The discussion was
moderated by the permanent representative of Latvia to the Council of Europe
and thematic coordinator on gender equality of the Committee of the Council of
Europe, Peteris Larlis Elferts. Following the panel presentation, 31 member
states made statements followed by contributions from non-governmental
organization representatives.
For the full report of the panel and contributions from NGOs and governments
please visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/Human_Rights/HRC08_VAW_panel.pdf
For more information on the Human Rights Council, please visit: http://www.wilpf.int.ch/humanrights/hrindex.htm
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“A city in the Sand. Women in Politics for the Transformation of Haiti: The
Story of a Coaching Program for a New Leadership”
Nadine Puechguirbal & Nava Almog
New York, May 2008
On
May 29, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) organized
a panel discussion on “The political involvement of women in post
conflict-societies: the experience of Haiti”. This event celebrated the launch
of “A city in the Sand,” a book written by Nadine Puechguirbal and Nava Almog,
on an innovative approach to women’s political empowerment.
“A city in the Sand” describes the coaching program implemented in 2006-2007 by
the MINUSTAH Gender Unit to support the participation of Haitian women in
politics. Directed by Nadine Puechguirbal, the Gender Unit designed this
program after taking into account the complex social, economic and cultural
factors that hinder women’s access to the political realm. The adopted coaching
method is unique since it focused on giving exclusive attention to every
participant. Nava Almog, an international consultant, coached 19 women who
learned to identify their personal/organizational strengths and weaknesses,
manage their work teams, and set achievable political goals and priorities.
While most training programs usually involve groups passively attending workshops,
each participant in the MINUSTAH coaching program worked with the coach in
one–on-one activities. This approach fostered women’s creativity and full
participation in both collective and individual training sessions.
WILPF had the opportunity to interview Sylvia Fabien Moise and Coty Beauséjour
in New York after the book launch. Sylvia is one of the 19 participants: she
ran for the 2006 legislative elections in Haiti and presently coordinates
FEPOCHAH, a Haitian platform for women engaged in politics. Coty Beauséjour, a
man working for women’s rights, is the national coach of the Gender Unit’s
training program. The following is an interview in which they shared their
experiences with PeaceWomen Project intern Karine Jeannet:
To read the interview, please visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/Governance/HaitiCoachingInterview.pdf
To download “A City in the Sand”, please visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/Governance/City_in_Sand_08.pdf
All
these women had prior experience as political candidates; however, they were
unsuccessful in seeking office.
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8. FEATURE INITIATIVE
Summary from the E-Discussion on Gender Quotas as a Mechanism Promoting Women
in Politics
iKNOW Politics E-Discussion Forum
The International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (iKNOW Politics) held
its second E-Discussion Forum on Gender Quotas as a Mechanism to Promote
Women’s Political Participation from June 4-11, 2008. The E-Discussion Forum
focused on strengthening the knowledge base about gender quotas, the
implementation of gender quotas around the world, and their impact on women’s
political representation.
During the seven days of the E-Discussion, iKNOW Politics received sixty-seven
comments from its members and experts worldwide. The participants shared their
practical experiences from Argentina, Burkina Faso, Canada, Dominican Republic,
Jamaica, Kosovo, Niger, Panama, the Pacific region, Paraguay, Sri-Lanka, Sudan,
Sweden, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Venezuela. Participants generally
favored quotas and provided specific examples of cases where women’s
representation has improved because of quotas. For instance, Aminata Faye Kasse
pointed out that in Burkina Faso, the representation of women increased from
8.95% in 1995 to 30% in 2006 during the local elections as a result of the
adoption of internal quotas by the ruling party.
At the same time, a number of commentators cautioned that quotas alone are not
enough, and that women also need essential training and financing, socio-political
reforms and public engagement (including a sense of gender solidarity) in order
to be successful. There were suggestions that without additional support
structures there could be a backlash against quotas and women could face red
tape and tokenism. Erika Brockmann highlighted that in Bolivia quotas did not
have the intended impact on the political culture of the country and suggested
using other measures such as the formation of Women Parliamentary Caucuses,
training programs, and funding for women in politics.
Participants emphasized the importance of sanctions and a strong regulatory
system in order to make quotas effective. Some suggestions for enforcement
included penalizing political parties for not adhering to quota requirements
and closely monitoring candidate nomination processes. However, several
participants also cautioned that failing to register parties that do not meet
the quotas without giving them the time to make the transition can have
unintended negative consequences. As an example, Nurgul Djanaeva noted that
during the 2007 Parliamentary Elections in Kyrgyzstan some major political
parties were denied registration because they were not ready for quotas.
In general, there was a consensus that the type of electoral system, such as
proportional representation, can have a large impact on the effectiveness of
quotas. For instance, Charmaine Rodrigues mentioned that the French territories
of the Pacific had much higher numbers of women MPs (often around 30%), which
may be explained by the proportional representation systems enabling the use of
party and/or list quotas to improve women's representation in these countries.
Interestingly, most respondents agreed that there is significant resistance to
quotas, some of it from women politicians themselves. Participants
recommended that one way to overcome such resistance is to put emphasis on
democracy, rather than gender, and to explore the fact that quotas are often
only temporary measures. To overcome such resistance and to inform citizens
about the use of quotas, the participants suggested holding public awareness
campaigns, creating alliances between women’s organizations and women’s
movements, staying abreast of legislation and discussions around this subject,
and using diverse and innovative means to reach out to the public. For
instance, “Women without fear of power” was the slogan used a few years ago by
women legislators in Brazil who launched a public campaign to increase the
number of women in political office, as Lilian Celiberti recalls. Additionally,
Alessandra Pellizzeri from Mauritania recommends basing advocacy campaigns on
economic arguments, showing how a country can benefit and develop as a whole
from women’s participation.
While acknowledging the limitations of quotas as a stand-alone measure to
promote women’s political participation, the iKNOW Politics E-Discussion Forum
revealed tangible results of implementing gender quotas in politics, and
provided solid advice for those who champion them.
For printer-friendly version of this summary, please click: http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/Governance/IKnowPolitics_08.pdf
For the full e-discussion, please visit http://www.iknowpolitics.org/mayediscussionen
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For more Global & Regional Initiatives, please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/campaigns/global/index.html
For more Country-specific Initiatives, please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/campaigns/countriesindex.html
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9. PEACEKEEPING AND GENDER UPDATE
Women Targeted or Affected by Armed Conflict: What Role for Military
Peacekeepers?
Wilton Park Conference, May 27 – 29 2008
The scale and brutality of sexual violence is “the monstrosity of our
century.” – Dr. Mukwege, Panzi Hospital, Bukavu, Eastern DRC
Contemporary armed conflicts raise new challenges for the effective protection
of civilians. Not only are civilians often the primary targets of armed
conflict, but in some cases, large-scale abuses of international humanitarian
and human rights law persist even after the formal cessation of hostilities.
This is particularly the case with the use of sexual violence and other forms
of violent intimidation against women, employed as a means of prosecuting
warfare and perpetuating profound insecurity beyond the formal end of conflict.
The conference convened at Wilton Park brought together former Force
Commanders, army personnel, and staff of defence ministries, UN personnel,
peace activists and academics, in order to discuss and review current
peacekeeping practices in the prevention of widespread and systematic sexual
violence in conflict, post-conflict contexts.
The aim of the conference was two fold: to identify existing efforts to prevent
the targeting of women and children for sexual violence within current
peacekeeping approaches to civilian protection; and to build policy consensus
on sexual violence as a security issue backed by mandates, training and
incentives for effective response.
The following issues were discussed:
To read the full UNIFEM report, please visit:
http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/Peacekeeping/PDF/WiltonPark_Summary.pdf
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For Gender and Peacekeeping news and resources, please visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/pkwatch/pkindex.html
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10. NGO WORKING GROUP UPDATE
Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones at Last Recognized as a Matter of
International Peace and Security
New York, 19 June 2008
Reacting
to [today’s] timely decision of the UN Security Council to strengthen UN action
against sexual violence in conflict, Gina Torry of the NGO Working Group on
Women Peace and Security said “we are glad that the UN’s most powerful body has
now recognized what many women worldwide have argued for so long: stopping
sexual violence in conflict zones is important to the maintenance of
international peace and security.”
Security Council Resolution 1820 (2008) paves the way for improving the UN’s
response to the high levels of sexual violence in conflict-affected situations.
The NGO Working Group welcomes the Council’s renewed emphasis on the need for
women’s equal and full participation in conflict prevention, conflict
resolution and post-conflict peacebuilding. Also important is that Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon and UN agencies ensure that women and women-led organizations
actively participate in developing mechanisms to protect women and girls from
sexual violence. This has not been consistent UN practice to date.
The NGO Working Group welcomes also the Council’s decision to ask the
Secretary-General to provide an in-depth report by 30 June 2009 on ways to
reduce sexual violence against women and girls. This could be an important tool
towards reducing the use of such violence. The requested study will allow for
input from the UN’s NGO partners. Crucial is that the resolution requires
improved UN coordination in the field and at headquarters to effectively
monitor the use of sexual violence in situations of armed conflict. The Council
also reinforced its request to the Secretary-General to systematically include
recommendations on the protection of women and girls in his reports to the
Council on country-specific situations.
Despite these positive aspects however, the resolution could have been
stronger. “The Council should have implemented the Secretary-General’s earlier
recommendation that it establish a dedicated mechanism to monitor violence
against women within the framework of the landmark Resolution 1325 on Women
Peace and Security, adopted in 2000”, said Gina Torry.
The quality of the UN’s monitoring and reporting as now required by the
Security Council will be critical to combating sexual violence against women
and girls. “Adequate resources and expertise, as well as necessary support from
UN leadership in the field will be important factors to improve the quality of
UN reporting and response to violations of women’s human rights in country
situations on the Council’s agenda,” said Gina Torry. “We will keep a close eye
on the implementation of today’s resolution to ensure that this latest UN
commitment results in real change on the ground for women and girls at risk of
sexual violence”.
Background:
Security Council Resolution 1820 was adopted unanimously on 19 June 2008 at the
Open Debate on Women Peace and Security, presided by US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice. The resolution was co-sponsored by Security Council members:
Belgium, Burkina Faso, Croatia, Costa Rica, France, Italy, Panama, South
Africa, UK and USA, as well as some 32 other UN member states.
The NGO Working Group on Women Peace and Security advocates for the equal
participation and full involvement of women in all efforts for the maintenance
and promotion of peace and security and for their protection in conflict
situations. The adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women Peace and
Security in 2000 was historic in requiring UN member states and the UN system
to better protect and promote women’s human rights in such situations.
Many gaps and challenges to the full and effective implementation of Resolution
1325 remain however, including the lack of prevention and protection of women
and girls from sexual and gender-based violence, and the need to end impunity
for such acts of violence.
The NGO Working Group comprises: Amnesty International, Boston Consortium on
Gender, Security and Human Rights, Femmes Africa Solidarité, Global Action to
Prevent War, Global Justice Center, Hague Appeal for Peace, Human Rights Watch,
International Action Network on Small Arms, International Alert, Internal
Women's Tribune Center, Women's Action for New Directions, United Methodists
Women's Division and Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.
For NGOWG Letter to Ambassadors visit: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/NGOWG_Recs_SVRes08.pdf
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To learn more about the NGO Working Group on Women Peace and Security, please
visit:
http://www.womenpeacesecurity.org/
The PeaceWomen Team
Sam Cook and Susi Snyder
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
United Nations Office
777 UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: 1.212.682.1265
Fax: 1.212.286.8211
Email: enewssubmissions@peacewomen.org
Web: www.peacewomen.org