WUNRN
Global Network of Women
Peacebuilders - GNWP
Link to Full 32-Page Document:
ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY TO UN SC RES
1325
& 1820 USING CEDAW REPORTING
MECHANISMS
The
10th anniversary of Resolution 1325 in October 2010 highlighted the increasing
demand for accountability to UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women,
Peace and Security. Many expressed concern about the fact that only 22 Member
States out of 192 have adopted national action plans. Women are still
underrepresented if not totally absent in most official peace negotiations and
sexual violence in conflict continue to increase.
These realities emphasized the need to use other legal mechanisms to strengthen the implementation of SCR 1325, particularly CEDAW. The well-established mechanisms of CEDAW—–the Member States compliance report and the civil society shadow reporting process were cited as powerful instruments to ensure accountability.
Several regional and international meetings including the High Level Seminar
“1325 in 2020: Looking Forward…Looking Back,” organized by the African Center
for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, and the “Stockholm International
Conference
10 years with 1325 – What now?” called for the use of CEDAW to improve 1325
implementation.
Intersection between SCR 1325 and CEDAW
While CEDAW and UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 on Women, Peace and Security are important international instruments on their own, there is also an intersection among the three standards that can be used to enhance their implementation and impact.
Resolutions 1325 and 1820 broaden the scope of CEDAW application by clarifying its relevance to all parties in conflict, whereas CEDAW provides concrete strategic guidance for actions to be taken on the broad commitments outlined in the two Resolutions (UNIFEM, 2006. CEDAW and SCR 1325: A Quick Guide).
CEDAW is a global human rights treaty that should be incorporated into
national law as the highest standard for women’s rights. It requires UM Member
States that have ratified it (185 to date) to set in place mechanisms to fully
realize women’s rights.
Resolution 1325 is an international law unanimously adopted by the Security
Council that mandates UN Member States to engage women in all aspects of peace
building including ensuring women’s participation on all levels of
decision–making on peace and security issues.
Resolution 1820 links sexual violence as a tactic of war with the maintenance of international peace and security. It also demands a comprehensive report from the UN Secretary General on implementation and strategies for improving information flow to the Security Council; and adoption of concrete protection and prevention measures to end sexual violence.
Resolutions 1325 and 1820, and CEDAW share the following agenda on women’s human rights and gender equality:
1. Demand women’s participation in decision-making at all levels
2. Rejection of violence against women as it impedes the advancement of women
and maintains their subordinate status
3. Equality of women and men under the law; protection of women and girls
through the rule of law
4. Demand security forces and systems to protect women and girls from
gender-based violence
5. Recognition of the fact that distinct experiences and burdens of women and
girls come from systemic discrimination
6. Ensure that women’s experiences, needs and perspectives are incorporated
into the political, legal and social decisions that determine the achievement
of just and lasting peace
A General Comment from the CEDAW committee could strengthen women’s advocacy for the full implementation of Resolutions 1325 and 1820 at the country and community levels. Conversely, CEDAW’s relevance to conflict-affected areas will be underscored further by the two Resolutions. In other words, all three international instruments will reinforce each other and be much more effective if used together in leveraging women’s human rights.