LETTER: Open Letter to Member States of the Security Council Re: Res 1960

OPEN LETTER TO MEMBER STATES OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL Re: Res 1960 7 January 2011 Subject: UNSCR 1960 and the need for focus on full implementation of UNSCR 1325

Excellency,

In October 2010 the world observed the 10th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 on Women and Peace and Security. An unprecedented number of member-states spoke in the Security Council, the majority declaring their commitment to ensuring the equal and effective participation of women in decision making for the prevention and resolution of wars and violence. Civil society also strongly reaffirmed its determination to realize in the coming years the enormous potential of that resolution in this regard.
We believe it is essential to ensure that regular consultations are undertaken with women's civil society organizations. The implementation of UNSCR 1325 as well as of any subsequent resolutions relating to women and peace and security will only be effective through involvement of women and civil society organizations.

In that context, we are concerned that women's right to full participation in all matters of peace and security is being overlooked as women are increasingly being seen and treated mostly as passive victims of violence and abuse. We call for women's full equality and participation at all levels of decision making as envisaged in UNSCR 1325.

Also, as we enthusiastically welcome the establishment of UN Women, we call upon this new entity to include the full implementation of UNSCR 1325, including its financing and accountability mechanisms, as one of its top priorities. We also note with great satisfaction the appointment of SRSG Margot Wallström who has brought a passionate concern for the plight of women in times of conflict.

Rape is the worst crime that women or men can endure and survive. The trauma lasts a lifetime and has ripple consequences of ostracism from family and community as well as physical damage. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) calls rape during war a crime against humanity. It is at once a crime and a symbol of the continued objectification of women and the denial of the power and agency recognized in UNSCR 1325.

The process of the recent adoption of UNSCR 1960 sponsored by governments without consultation with women on the ground is a case in point. It speaks only of women as victims of sexual abuse during violent conflict and does not mention that if women were recognized as participants in decision making they would be less vulnerable to attack. If governments would involve more women and worked harder to prevent wars there would be less sexual abuse. If small arms were regulated and reduced by involving women in the decision making there would be less sexual violence. If the UN leadership and its member states involved women more systematically in conflict prevention and resolution - the real focus of 1325 - there would be a marked improvement in peace and security for everyone.

These issues of women's participation, of prevention of violence and reduction of weapons cannot be left out of any resolution on women and peace and security. Reference to the full implementation of UNSCR 1325 must be substantively integral to any subsequent resolutions of the Security Council on women, not just a passing reference in preambular paragraphs to this foundational and fundamental document.

We cannot pluck rape out of war for our attention and let the war go on. We must be passionate about preventing and stopping wars, and about recognizing the equal right of women to seats at all tables where decisions are made. Rape will be reduced when violence is reduced and when women are taken more seriously and treated equally in all decisions on the fate of humanity.

If UN member states, particularly those represented in the Security Council, are serious about their commitments to women's equality and to stopping rape and violence, they would individually and collectively ensure outreach to women and their full participation at all decision making levels in all arenas where issues of peace and security are being decided.
We thank you for your kind attention to these views with regard to your work on women and peace and security. We are willing to meet with you and discuss future course of action on this issue.

Sincerely,

Cabrera-Balleza, Mavic; Global Network of Women Peacebuilders
Naraghi Anderlini, Sanam; International Civil society Action Network Adamson, Lyn; Canadian Voice of Women for Peace Adda-Dontoh, Becky; Mothers for Active Non-Violence – Ghana Akibayashi Kozue; Feminist Scholar/Activist Network on Demilitarization Alton, Janis; Canadian Voice of Women for Peace
Basnet Babita; Sancharika Samuha – Nepal Bitsure Jeanne; Women Peacemakers Programme, Women and Allies Peacebuilders
Network – Burundi
Bhagwan Rolls, Sharon; femLINKPACIFIC – Fiji/Pacific; International Steering Group, Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict
Breyer, Chloe; Rev. Interfaith Center of New York Dharmadasa, Visaka; Association of War Affected Women – Sri Lanka van Doggenaar, Jan; ICCO and Kerk in Actie - the Netherlands Dwyer, Tatiana; Global Justice Office, Women's Division, General Board of Global
Ministries, United Methodist Church Edgren-Schori, Maud; Former Gender Advisor in Côte d ́Ivoire Feminist International Radio Endeavour (FIRE) – Costa Rica Fountain-ISOKO for Good Governance and the Integrated Development – Burundi Fone, Wenche; Norwegian Church Aid Garlo, Cerue Konah, Liberia Gautam, Shobha; Institute of Human Rights Communication and National Women
Security Watch Group – Nepal Guerrero, Patricia; Liga de Mujeres Desplazadas – Colombia Geuskens, Isabelle; IFOR Women Peacemakers Program - the Netherlands Grönberg, Helena; Global Network of Women Peacebuilders Hans, Asha; Sansristi Center for Gender Development – India Haartje Maren; PeaceWomen Across the Globe Hara, Hiroko; Japan Women's Watch, Asia Pacific Women's Watch Holter, Thora; Norwegian Church Aid International Peace Bureau Kanyange, Perpetue; Centre Des Femmes Pour La Paix – Burundi Korir, Selline; Rural Women Peace Link – Kenya Kottegoda, Sepali; Asia Pacific Women's Watch Jenkins Tony; International Institute of Peace Education Lauzon-Gatmaytan, Carmen; Asian Circle 1325 – Philippines Lynch Jake; International Peace Research Association MacNichol, Sally N. Rev. Dr.; CONNECT, New York City Matriano, Estela; World Council for Curriculum and Instruction Mazali, Rela; Activist and Feminist Writer McPhedran, Marilou; Institute for International Women's Rights Mesa, Manuela; centro de education e investigacion para la paz – Spain Milner, Michele; University of Central Lancaster – UK/China Nakamura, Mitchiko; Japan Women's Watch, Asia Pacific Women's Watch Nario–Galace, Jasmin; Center for Peace Education, Miriam College – Philippines Nazim, Afifa; Afghan Women's Network Nduwayo, Gerard; International Consultant on UNSCR 1325 – Burundi and Great Lakes
Region Observatorio Género Democracia y Derechos Humanos – Colombia Okioma, Mary; Women for Justice in Africa – Kenya Perera, Viola; Women's Media Collective - Sri Lanka Pratt, Nana; National Organization of Women, Mano River Women's Peace Network –
Sierra Leone Price, Lisa S; Independent researcher/writer Rana, Bandana; Saathi – Nepal
Rasul, Amina; Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy Reardon, Betty; International Institute of Peace Education Red Latino Americana y del Caribe para la Democracia – Colombia Rubimbwa, Robinah; Center for Women in Governance – Uganda Salamanca, Rosa Emilia; Corporación de Investigación y Acción Social y Económica –
Colombia Samuel, Kumudini; Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era Sharpe, Albie; Feminist Scholar/Activist Network on Demilitarization Schori, Pierre; Former Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UNOCI Shieh, Vincent; World Council for Curriculum and Instruction Suralaga, Dewi; Cordaid – the Netherlands Toupin, Sophie; Center for Peace Missions and Humanitarian Studies at the Raoul Dandurand Chair of Strategic and Diplomatic Studies at the University of Quebec at
Montreal Voice of the Voiceless – Liberia
Wenden, Anita; International Peace Research Association Weiss, Cora; Hague Appeal for Peace Yiping, Cai; Isis International – Philippines
Zawilski, Valerie; University of Western Ontario, Canada Zedriga, Lina; Women and Peace and Security Advocate; International Consultant for
Kenya NAP on UNSCR 1325 Chowdhury, Anwarul; Ambassador, Former UN Under-Secretary-General and President
of the Security Council (March 2000 & June 2001)
(Organizations listed for identification only) Copy to:
H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations Dr. Michelle Bachelet, Under Secretary-General, UN Women
Ms. Margot Wallström, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence
Mr. B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General, UN Department of Political Affairs
H.E. Mr. John McNee, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada in his capacity as the coordinator of the Friends of 1325 with the request to circulate the letter to all members of the group