Women should be included in the ongoing Burma's peace-talk process between the government and ethnic armed groups, a statement by the Karen Women Organization (KWO) said yesterday.

When asked about the issue, Dr. Sui Khar told Chinland Guardian: "As a very initial stage of the process, the meeting takes place only between armed groups and state-level governments."

"It will be followed by a series of other important events such as public consultation and political dialogue. But in the public consultation and political dialogue to follow will include women," added the team leader of the Chin National Front's negotiating delegation.

WLP International spoke with Asma Khader, Secretary General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women and General Coordinator of Sisterhood is Global Institute/Jordan, about the outcomes of a conference in Amman convened by the SALMA network from October 27-29, 2011, where she shared Jordan’s recent experience with constitutional reform. Over 60 NGO leaders and women activists gathered from 14 Arab countries, including Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, among others, to discuss women’s involvement  in democratic transition as well as Jordan’s recent constitutional amendments.

The UN Secretary-General’s annual report to the Security Council on women and peace and security has been released ahead of the Open Debate. The report analyzes progress in implementing Security Council resolution 1325, which was passed in 2000, along with related commitments on women, peace and security. It is based on contributions from 38 Member States, four regional organizations and 27 entities of the United Nations system.

The report covers findings in five areas of the women and peace and security agenda — prevention, participation, protection, relief and recovery, and coordination and accountability for results — and provides baseline data on several of the indicators presented in the Secretary-General’s report to the Security Council last year. It also includes information on the strategic results framework developed by the UN system as a tool to support national efforts to address implementation gaps and challenges.

Broadly, the report notes that there is growing recognition of women’s roles in peace and security, and highlights an increasing number of innovative measures and good practices. Progress continues to be uneven, however. For example, the levels of women’s participation in peace negotiations, in preventative efforts and other key decision-making processes related to peace and security remain unacceptably low. Weaknesses in security, legal and justice institutions continue to present serious challenges to the safety and security of women and girls in many armed conflict and post-conflict settings.

More needs to be done to ensure that the momentum for action built in 2010 in connection with the 10th anniversary of resolution 1325 is sustained. The recognition of women’s contributions to building just and sustainable peace must be fully translated into concrete initiatives and support for such efforts, and good practices should be scaled up. The needs and priorities of women and girls should be brought to the center of policy discussions and planning processes.

The report’s recommendations include improving information on women and peace and security presented to the Security Council; greater attention to women’s participation in conflict prevention, preventative diplomacy and mediation; and the creation of innovative mechanisms for women to access peace talks.