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The Guinea Women's Solidarity Mission which took place from the 15th to 20th March 2010, 1) reviewed the impact of the crisis on women and girls and identified specific gaps, 2) made recommendations on concrete actions along the critical pillars of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, namely on a) the prevention of violence against women, b) protection and promotion of women’s rights, c) prosecution of perpetrators of violence against women, and the d) participation of women in decision making.
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http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/horror-of-guinea-stadium-massacre-that-killed-157-1795165.html - 30 September 2009
GUINEA - HORROR OF STADIUM MASSACRE - World unites in condemnation after pro-democracy rally ends with soldiers 'killing and raping' hundreds
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WOMEN'S SOLIDARITY MISSION IN GUINEA
In Support of the Women of Guinea,
Particularly the Victims of the 28th September 2009 Crisis
15th
– 20th March 2010
With
support from: UNOWA
Financed
by: UNIFEM, Urgent Action Fund and AWDF
PRESS RELEASE
Under the leadership of
Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS), a Pan-African organisation based in Dakar,
Senegal, a Solidarity Mission was organised in support of the women of Guinea,
particularly the victims of the 28th September 2009 crisis. The
The Mission which took
place from the 15th to 20th March 2010 1) reviewed the
impact of the crisis on women and girls and identified specific gaps, 2) made
recommendations on concrete actions along the critical pillars of United
Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, namely on a) the prevention of
violence against women, b) protection and promotion of women’s rights, c)
prosecution of perpetrators of violence against women, and the d) participation
of women in decision making.
The
From these discussions,
the
MAIN FINDINGS
1) The gross violation of women’s bodies as a tool for political oppression; and alarming levels of trauma among victims.
2) Inadequate and uncoordinated support to especially the victims of rape and assault and the families of missing persons.
3) The lack of a long term comprehensive reparation plan for victims and of a victim support programme to guarantee access to justice.
4)
Entrenched ethnic and political polarization and the absence of a national reconciliatory framework
for the country in general.
5) Low institutional capacity of the Ministry of National Solidarity, Promotion of Women and Children; women’s civil society organizations and youth groups to respond to their needs.
6) Lack of implementation of national policies for the protection of women and the lack of awareness of UNSCR 1325, 1820 and other legal instruments for the protection and promotion of women’s rights.
7) Oppressive security institutions that
perpetuate sexual and gender based violence against women.
8) Existence of religious, cultural and traditional barriers that perpetuate patriarchial systems at the expense of women’s rights and dignity.
9) Underrepresentation
of women in strategic leadership and decision making structures at all levels.
10) Fragmentation of Guinean Women’s groups and civil
society organisations across various divides.
Against the backdrop of these findings, the
RECOMMENDATIONS
1.
Strengthening and
expanding victims support programmes with a focus on psychosocial therapy,
medical care, legal aid services, compensation, economic empowerment projects
for women, capacity building on non-violence and reconciliation.
2.
Individual women and
women’s groups should work together to resolve their differences and unify to
promote a collective women’s agenda.
3.
Development of a
national action plan to promote the implementation of UNSCR 1325, 1820, 1888
and 1889 through a participatory and inclusive process.
4.
Roll out a massive
civic education programme with emphasis on the active participation of women
and youths in the electoral process, political leadership and decision making
at all levels, in collaboration with the media.
5.
Strengthen
sensitization and advocacy campaigns on gender and active non violence for
women’s groups; youth;
security sector personnel; government officials; traditional, religious and
political leaders; and reinvigorate early warning and early response mechanisms
especially during the electoral period.
6.
Policy review of
constitutions, manifestoes and code of conduct of political parties and
governance institutions to integrate quotas for women and gender mainstreaming.
These policies should be implemented taking into consideration affirmative
action and mentoring for young women and girls to ensure sustainability.
7.
Deployment of ECOWAS,
African Union and other election monitoring and observation mechanisms to
ensure electoral security for women.
8.
Reform of governance
institutions including the security and justice sector as both a conflict
prevention mechanism and a framework for enhancing the protection and
participation of women.
9.
Provide support to
women and youth organisations to restore their dignity and improve their
capacities to respond to the needs of community women and girls.
10. Provision of support to the Ministry
in charge of gender and women’s issues in human resource capacity development;
logistics and finance, including in the development of a decentralised national
gender architecture.
11. Transform existing political will
into concrete political commitment and actions for women by the Government of
Guinea, the private sector and the international community.
12. In respect of the above, the
The Mission is committed
to advocating for the implementation of these recommendations and will in the
immediate submit a detailed report to the United Nations; United Nations Office
in West Africa and its Working Group on Women, Peace and Security; the UN Civil
Society Advisory Group on UNSCR 1325; the AU-ECOWAS appointed Mediator on
Guinea; the International Contact Group on Guinea; the African Union; ECOWAS;
the Heads of States of the Mano River Union; the Guinean Authorities and other
relevant stakeholders.
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