WUNRN
Via PacWin - Pacific Women's
Information Network
OPEN LETTER TO MEMBER
STATES OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL
7 January 2011
Subject: UNSCR 1960 & Need for Full Implementation of UNSCR 1325
Excellency,
In
October 2010 the world observed the 10th anniversary of
UNSCR 1325 on Women and Peace and Security. An unprecedented number of
member-states spoke in the Security Council, the majority declaring their
commitment to ensuring the equal and effectiveparticipation of women in
decision making for the prevention and resolution of wars and violence. Civil
society also strongly reaffirmed its determination to realize in the coming
years the enormous potential of that resolution in this regard.
We
believe it is essential to ensure that regular consultations are undertaken
with women's civil society organizations. The implementation of UNSCR 1325 as
well as of any subsequent resolutions relating to women and peace and security
will only be effective through involvement of women and civil society
organizations.
In
that context, we are concerned that women’s right to full participation in all
matters of peace and security is being overlooked as women are increasingly
being seen and treated mostly as passive victims of violence and abuse. We call
for women’s full equality and participation at all levels of decision making as
envisaged in UNSCR 1325.
Also,
as we enthusiastically welcome the establishment of UN Women, we call upon this
new entity to include the full implementation of UNSCR 1325, including its
financing and accountability mechanisms, as one of its top priorities. We also
note with great satisfaction the appointment of SRSG Margot Wallström who has
brought a passionate concern for the plight of women in times of conflict.
Rape
is the worst crime that women or men can endure and survive. The trauma lasts a
lifetime and has ripple consequences of ostracism from family and community as
well as physical damage. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
(ICC) calls rape during war a crime against humanity. It is at once a crime and
a symbol of the continued objectification of women and the denial of the power
and agency recognized in UNSCR 1325.
The
process of the recent adoption of UNSCR 1960 sponsored by governments without
consultation with women on the ground is a case in point. It speaks only of
women as victims of sexual abuse during violent conflict and does not mention
that if women were recognized as participants in decision making they would be
less vulnerable to attack. If governments would involve more women and worked
harder to prevent wars there would be less sexual abuse. If small arms were
regulated and reduced by involving women in the decision making there would be
less sexual violence.
If the
UN leadership and its member states involved women more systematically in
conflict prevention and resolution - the real focus of 1325 - there would be a
marked improvement in peace and security for everyone.
These
issues of women’s participation, of prevention of violence and reduction of
weapons cannot be left out of any resolution on women and peace and security.
Reference
to the full implementation of UNSCR 1325 must be substantively integral to any
subsequent resolutions of the Security Council on women, not just a passing
reference in preambular paragraphs to this foundational and fundamental
document.
We
cannot pluck rape out of war for our attention and let the war go on. We must
be passionate about preventing and stopping wars, and about recognizing the
equal right of women to seats at all tables where decisions are made. Rape will
be reduced when violence is reduced and when women are taken more seriously and
treated equally in all decisions on the fate of humanity.
If UN
member states, particularly those represented in the Security Council, are
serious about their commitments to women's equality and to stopping rape and
violence, they would individually and collectively ensure outreach to women and
their full participation at all decision making levels in all arenas where
issues of peace and security are being decided.
We
thank you for your kind attention to these views with regard to your work on
women and peace and security. We are willing to meet with you and discuss
future course of action on this issue.
Sincerely,
Cabrera-Balleza,
Mavic; Global Network of Women Peacebuilders
Naraghi
Anderlini, Sanam; International Civil society Action Network
Adamson,
Lyn; Canadian Voice of Women for Peace
Adda-Dontoh,
Becky; Mothers for Active Non-Violence – Ghana
Akibayashi
Kozue; Feminist Scholar/Activist Network on Demilitarization
Alton,
Janis - Canadian Voice of Women for Peace
Basnet
Babita; Sancharika Samuha – Nepal
Bitsure
Jeanne; Women Peacemakers Programme, Women and Allies Peacebuilders Network –
Burundi
Bhagwan
Rolls, Sharon; femLINKPACIFIC – Fiji/Pacific; International Steering Group,
Global
Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict
Breyer,
Chloe; Rev. Interfaith Center of New York
Dharmadasa,
Visaka; Association of War Affected Women – Sri Lanka
van
Doggenaar, Jan; ICCO and Kerk in Actie - the Netherlands
Dwyer,
Tatiana; Global Justice Office, Women’s Division, General Board of Global
Ministries,
United Methodist Church
Edgren-Schori,
Maud; Former Gender Advisor in Côte d´Ivoire
Feminist
International Radio Endeavour (FIRE) – Costa Rica
Fountain-ISOKO
for Good Governance and the Integrated Development – Burundi
Fone,
Wenche; Norwegian Church Aid
Garlo,
Cerue Konah, Liberia
Gautam,
Shobha; Institute of Human Rights Communication and National Women
Security
Watch Group – Nepal
Guerrero,
Patricia; Liga de Mujeres Desplazadas – Colombia
Geuskens,
Isabelle; IFOR Women Peacemakers Program - the Netherlands
Grönberg,
Helena; Global Network of Women Peacebuilders
Hans,
Asha; Sansristi Center for Gender Development – India
Haartje
Maren; PeaceWomen Across the Globe
Hara,
Hiroko; Japan Women's Watch, Asia Pacific Women's Watch
Holter,
Thora; Norwegian Church Aid
International
Peace Bureau
Kanyange,
Perpetue; Centre Des Femmes Pour La Paix – Burundi
Korir,
Selline; Rural Women Peace Link – Kenya
Kottegoda,
Sepali; Asia Pacific Women's Watch
Jenkins
Tony; International Institute of Peace Education
Lauzon-Gatmaytan,
Carmen; Asian Circle 1325 – Philippines
Lynch
Jake; International Peace Research Association
MacNichol,
Sally N. Rev. Dr.; CONNECT, New York City
Matriano,
Estela; World Council for Curriculum and Instruction
Mazali,
Rela; Activist and Feminist Writer
McPhedran,
Marilou; Institute for International Women’s Rights
Mesa,
Manuela; centro de education e investigacion para la paz – Spain
Milner,
Michele; University of Central Lancaster – UK/China
Nakamura,
Mitchiko; Japan Women's Watch, Asia Pacific Women's Watch
Nario–Galace,
Jasmin; Center for Peace Education, Miriam College – Philippines
Nazim,
Afifa; Afghan Women’s Network
Nduwayo,
Gerard; International Consultant on UNSCR 1325 – Burundi and Great Lakes Region
Observatorio
Género Democracia y Derechos Humanos – Colombia
Okioma,
Mary; Women for Justice in Africa – Kenya
Perera,
Viola; Women's Media Collective - Sri Lanka
Pratt,
Nana; National Organization of Women, Mano River Women’s Peace Network – Sierra
Leone
Price,
Lisa S; Independent researcher/writer
Rana,
Bandana; Saathi – Nepal
Rasul,
Amina; Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy
Reardon,
Betty; International Institute of Peace Education
Red
Latino Americana y del Caribe para la Democracia – Colombia
Rubimbwa,
Robinah; Center for Women in Governance – Uganda
Salamanca,
Rosa Emilia; Corporación de Investigación y Acción Social y Económica –
Colombia
Samuel,
Kumudini; Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era
Sharpe,
Albie; Feminist Scholar/Activist Network on Demilitarization
Schori,
Pierre; Former Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UNOCI
Shieh,
Vincent; President, World Council for Curriculum and Instruction
Suralaga,
Dewi; Cordaid – the Netherlands
Toupin,
Sophie; Center for Peace Missions and Humanitarian Studies at the Raoul
Dandurand
Chair of Strategic and Diplomatic Studies at the University of Quebec at
Montreal
Voice
of the Voiceless – Liberia
Wenden,
Anita; International Peace Research Association
Weiss,
Cora; Hague Appeal for Peace
Yiping,
Cai; Isis International – Philippines
Zawilski,
Valerie; University of Western Ontario, Canada
Zedriga,
Lina; Women and Peace and Security Advocate; International Consultant for Kenya
NAP on UNSCR 1325
Chowdhury,
Anwarul; Ambassador, Former UN Under-Secretary-General and President of the
Security Council (March 2000 & June 2001)
(Organizations
listed for identification only)
Copy
to:
H.E.
Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations
Dr.
Michelle Bachelet, Under Secretary-General, UN Women
Ms.
Margot Wallström, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual
Violence
Mr. B.
Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General, UN Department of Political Affairs
H.E.
Mr. John McNee, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada in his
capacity as the coordinator of the Friends of 1325 with the request to
circulate the letter to all members of the group