WUNRN
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