Gender, Peace and Security
Women's Advocacy and Conflict Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 recognises both war’s adverse effects on women and women’s important contributions to peace and security. Yet despite the resolution being passed unanimously over a decade ago, women are still generally underrepresented in formal peace negotiations and to date only 33 countries worldwide – and only 5 in the Commonwealth – have approved National Action Plans (NAPs) to implement the resolution.
Gender, Peace and Security examines women’s role in both conflict and post-conflict reconciliation. It describes how UNSCR 1325 provides support for women in peace-building processes and provides case studies of how it has been implemented in selected countries, including the benefits of NAPs and women’s involvement in their adoption.
Essential reading for Ministers and senior officials looking to develop NAPs, or anyone with an interest in the role of women in international affairs.
Contents
Foreword
Abbreviations and acronyms
1. Introduction
2. Women, Conflict and UNSCR 1325
The role of women in conflict and post-conflict countries
UNSCR 1325: In support of women in peace-building processes
3. Women’s Peace-building Efforts across the Commonwealth
Examples of limited engagement in peace negotiations
Sierra Leone
Mozambique
Zimbabwe
Solomon Islands
Papua New Guinea (Bougainville)
Why women’s engagement may be limited following conflict
4. Women and National Action Plans (NAPs)
Women’s involvement in the adoption of NAPs
Rwanda
Sierra Leone
Uganda
NAPs in countries at peace: a different experience
United Kingdom
Canada
Benefits of NAPS
5. Peace and Conflict in the Commonwealth
Implementation of UNSCR 1325 in selected countries (2000–2011)
India
Nigeria
Papua New Guinea (Bougainville)
Rwanda
Solomon Islands
Sri Lanka
Uganda
Afghanistan (a non-Commonwealth example)
Possible scenarios for women, peace and conflict in these countries, 2011–2015
India
Nigeria
Papua New Guinea (Bougainville)
Rwanda
Solomon Islands
Sri Lanka
Uganda
Afghanistan (a non-Commonwealth example)
6. Recommendations
Recommendations for the Commonwealth Secretariat and other strategic partners
Address cultural beliefs
Address structural inequalities: economic opportunities
Address structural inequalities: laws
Address monitoring and evaluation
Develop a Commonwealth model for the adoption of NAPs
Collaborate with other local and international actors
Support women’s inclusion in peace processes
Work with countries at peace to prevent conflict and engender peacekeeping
Recommendations for Commonwealth member states
Document lessons learned and best practices
Take a multi-sectoral approach to the adoption of NAPs
Collaborate with the private sector and civil society organisations
Align reporting of NAPs with the Commonwealth Gender Plan of Action
Domesticate NAPs into national laws
Dedicate funds for the implementation of NAPs
Introduce accountability measures for NAPs
References
Annex. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325
About the contributor
Fredline AO M'Cormack-Hale (Author)
Fredline AO M’Cormack-Hale, PhD is Assistant Professor at the School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Seton Hall University. Her teaching and research interests include political development, gender, democratisation and the international aid community.Browse subjects
- Agriculture Expand or collapse me
- Democracy and elections Expand or collapse me
- Debt and finance policy
- Economic development
- Education, gender and health Expand or collapse me
- Law and human rights Expand or collapse me
- Oceans and natural resources Expand or collapse me
- Public administration and governance Expand or collapse me
- Small states Expand or collapse me
- Sport for development and peace
- Taxation
- Trade Expand or collapse me
- Youth policy