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Syria - Seven Points Road Map to a Gender-Sensitive Peace Building Process in Syria

As the international negotiation efforts try to pave the way for Geneva II ,the Syrian Women Forum for Peace (SWFP) considers that Conveying Geneva II a window of hope for democracy and peace in Syria, if only women were involved in all of its stages.

The SWFP approach to peace-building depends on the full involvement of all key players of the civil society, firstly women, we strongly believe that without the women's full support and participation, no peace agreement can succeed or implemented especially on the level of the local communities.

We strongly believe that women’s voices shouldn’t only be heard because they are the victims of the war, but also, and most importantly because women are the most effective peace builders. As men take up arms, women hold communities together in times of war. This makes them stronger and better equipped to play a key role in securing real peace.

Based on the international experience in conflict resolutions and peace building, The Syrian Women's Forum for Peace believe that the following seven points plan can be a good road map for gender-sensitive peace building process in Syria .

Point One: Conflict Resolution

All efforts should be taken to ensure more systematic action for women’s participation and the accessibility of gender expertise to peace processes

Points Two: Post-Conflict Planning

Efforts should be exerted to ensure better institutionalization of women’s participation (and apply gender analysis to) all post conflict planning processes so that women and girls specific needs and gender discrimination is addressed at every stage.

Points Three: Post-Conflict Financing

The international community should be ready to increase the financing for gender equality and women’s and girl’s empowerment in post conflict situations.

Point Dour: Gender-Responsive Civilian Capacity

In order to meet the women needs and skills to be part of the rebuilding of the state institutions to be gender sensitive ones, civilian capacity will include specialized skills.

Point Five: Women’s Representation in Post-Conflict Governance

More technical assistance to conflict-resolution processes should made available to promote women’s participation as decision-makers in public institutions, ( use of temporary special measures such as positive action, preferential treatment and quota-based system)

Point Six: Rule of Law

Ensuing and working for rule of law during the stages of the conflict will systematically promote women's and girls' right to security and justice.

Points Seven: Economic Recovery

Efforts should be exerted to ensure that women’s equal involvement as participants and beneficiaries in local-development, employment creation, frontline service delivery in post conflict situations.

Dr. Mouna Ghanem

Coordinator, Syrian Women’s Forum For Peace