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Post-conflict and Transitional Participation

According to the Ploughshares, in 2005, armed conflicts raged in 27 countries. In five of them, casualties exceeded 100,000 people, and the indirect costs in human capital, infrastructure and effect on future development are beyond estimation. The transition period begins when wars end through negotiated settlements or other means. With international and regional assistance, parties seek ways to deter the cycle of conflict by establishing a stable government to protect and provide for its citizens.

Formally and informally, women around the world are contributing to post-conflict reconstruction in the areas of security, justice and reconciliation, governance and socio-economic development. In 2000, the United Nations (UN) Security Council passed resolution 1325, a landmark decision mandating the participation of women in peace processes. Since the adoption of the resolution, awareness of the importance of including women in peace and reconstruction processes has grown enormously. Yet, implementation of the resolution’s mandate remains sporadic and ad hoc, and the gaps in practice are vast. Nonetheless, women’s participation in post-conflict reconstruction processes continues to increase.

In Sri Lanka, pressure by women’s organizations led to the establishment — within the structure of the formal negotiations — of a ten-member Subcommittee on Gender Issues in 2002. In Northern Ireland, women representatives were trusted as mediators during conflict negotiations, with such trust stemming from the women’s platform of respect for human rights, inclusion and equality. In Haiti, the women’s ministry and women’s organizations participated in a consultative process, resulting in the UN mission incorporating women’s priorities into its mandate and establishing the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Programme. In Rwanda, women formed the first cross-party parliamentary caucus composed of both Hutus and Tutsis, addressing issues of concern to women from all political parties. In Sierra Leone, a women’s task force was established to foster women’s participation in the design of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the special unit investigating war crimes. According to the World Bank, in Afghanistan, efforts by the international community and local women’s organizations have led to girls accounting for 40 percent of all children attending school in 2003, compared to only 9 percent before the war.

While significant and encouraging, such examples and best practices do not equate with the systematic inclusion of women in peace processes. It remains critical to amplify the role and contribution of women during political transitions to capitalize on this window of opportunity.

World News

Women’s Rights at Risk in Afghan Peace Process

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Women’s Rights at Risk in Afghan Peace Process

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Since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, the rights of Afghan have progressed: Women are in school, the workplace and government.
 
But those advances could well be jeopardized in coming months, according to a new report by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
 

Since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, the rights of Afghan have progressed: Women are in school, the workplace and government.
 
But those advances could well be jeopardized in coming months, according to a new report by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
 

Integrating Somali women into peacebuilding processes

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July 24, 2013

Integrating Somali women into peacebuilding processes

Despite the vital roles played by women in the democratisation and state-building processes, their male counterparts hardly recognise their role. Women have always had a strong stake in democratisation and peacebuilding processes (UN, 2013).

Despite the vital roles played by women in the democratisation and state-building processes, their male counterparts hardly recognise their role. Women have always had a strong stake in democratisation and peacebuilding processes (UN, 2013).

Norway's strategic plan 2011-13: Women, Peace and Security

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July 23, 2013

Norway's strategic plan 2011-13: Women, Peace and Security

The participation of women in key decision-making processes related to peace and security is a goal in itself. Their contribution is also important in preventing, managing and resolving conflict, and not least in building up societies after conflict.
The participation of women in key decision-making processes related to peace and security is a goal in itself. Their contribution is also important in preventing, managing and resolving conflict, and not least in building up societies after conflict.

Finland's National Action Plan for 2012-2016: Women, Peace and Security

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July 22, 2013

Finland's National Action Plan for 2012-2016: Women, Peace and Security

Finland issued its first National Action Plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in 2008.
Finland issued its first National Action Plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in 2008.

World News

Libya: Women’s seats on Constitutional Commission “insufficient” says lawyers’ group

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Libya: Women’s seats on Constitutional Commission “insufficient” says lawyers’ group

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The NGO Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL) has welcomed the decision by Congress to reserve seats on the 60-member Constitutional Commission for women and ethnic minorities but has criticized the amount set aside for the former. 

It says that the allocation of six seats for women is “insufficient where women represent 49 percent of the population”. It also fears that “the measures outlined in the Election Law to fulfil the quota may have a negative impact on women’s participation”.

The NGO Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL) has welcomed the decision by Congress to reserve seats on the 60-member Constitutional Commission for women and ethnic minorities but has criticized the amount set aside for the former. 

It says that the allocation of six seats for women is “insufficient where women represent 49 percent of the population”. It also fears that “the measures outlined in the Election Law to fulfil the quota may have a negative impact on women’s participation”.

World News

Women get four key portfolios in new Egypt government

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Women get four key portfolios in new Egypt government

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Cairo: Four key ministerial portfolios are set to go to women in Egypt’s new government, for the first time in the history of the conservative country.

The line-up of the interim government, headed by liberal economist Hazem Al Beblawi, is expected to be officially announced either on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Four women have been picked to take over the ministries of health, culture, environment and information in the new cabinet.

Cairo: Four key ministerial portfolios are set to go to women in Egypt’s new government, for the first time in the history of the conservative country.

The line-up of the interim government, headed by liberal economist Hazem Al Beblawi, is expected to be officially announced either on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Four women have been picked to take over the ministries of health, culture, environment and information in the new cabinet.

World News

Acting Head of UN Women Lakshmi Puri calls for Egyptian women’s voices to be heard without threat of violence

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Acting Head of UN Women Lakshmi Puri calls for Egyptian women’s voices to be heard without threat of violence

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Egypt’s women have been at the heart of the vibrant civil society movement that continues to press for the rights of all Egyptians.

Their participation in public life and the inclusion of their needs and priorities in any political solution is a prerequisite for inclusive democracy in Egypt.

UN Women is concerned by reports of the high prevalence of sexual assaults against women in public spaces.

Egypt’s women have been at the heart of the vibrant civil society movement that continues to press for the rights of all Egyptians.

Their participation in public life and the inclusion of their needs and priorities in any political solution is a prerequisite for inclusive democracy in Egypt.

UN Women is concerned by reports of the high prevalence of sexual assaults against women in public spaces.

World News

NDI staffer seeks to connect Somali women in parliament, civil society

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NDI staffer seeks to connect Somali women in parliament, civil society

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Hodan Ahmed and her family were forced to flee Somalia in 1991. The civil war that drove them from their home would go on for two decades. Ahmed live abroad in India and then in Kenya, where she got her education and began her career, but her dream was to return to Somalia to give her children the chance to grow up where she could not.

We invite you to read the full article published July 2 2013 by our partner, NDI

Hodan Ahmed and her family were forced to flee Somalia in 1991. The civil war that drove them from their home would go on for two decades. Ahmed live abroad in India and then in Kenya, where she got her education and began her career, but her dream was to return to Somalia to give her children the chance to grow up where she could not.

We invite you to read the full article published July 2 2013 by our partner, NDI