WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY INTERNATIONAL NEWS
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2008

Rape in War: Will the United Nations Walk Its Talk?
June 25, 2008 (HRW) - On June 19, 2008, the United Nations Security Council made history by declaring that rape in war is such a bad idea they plan to do something about it. That's right. After decades of reports on vicious sexual violence in conflicts across the globe, the highest decision-making body of the United Nations has decided that it is time to act. In fact, no other international actor has as much power to do something about rape in war, and as disappointing a record, as the United Nations Security Council.

UN campaign to end violence against women backed by 10 more countries
June 24, 2008 (UN News Center) – Prime ministers and foreign ministers from 10 countries have signed on to the “Say NO to Violence against Women Campaign” – a move welcomed by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), which is organizing the drive.

UNICEF reports rising trend of violence against children in strife-torn countries
June 20, 2008 (UN News Center) – The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reports that child kidnappings are on the rise in several countries affected by violence – including Haiti where more than 50 children have been abducted so far this year – and more than half of them are girls.

U.N. Security Council says sexual violence akin to war crimes
June 20, 2008 – (Los Angeles Times) The U.N. Security Council affirmed Thursday that rape and other forms of sexual violence can constitute war crimes, and called for measures to combat such attacks.

UN: Finally, a Step Toward Confronting Rape in War
June 19, 2008 – (Human Rights Watch) The UN Security Council’s new resolution on sexual violence is a historic achievement for a body that has all too often ignored the plight of women and girls in conflict, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch applauds the council for setting out in the resolution a clear path to systematic information-gathering on sexual violence. Until now, the Security Council has asked for information on such violence only in selected cases.

Ban leads call for greater efforts to end ‘silent war’ of sexual violence in conflict
June 19, 2008 – (UN News Center) Noting that an increasing number of women and girls are falling victim to the “silent war” of sexual violence in conflict areas, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today led a chorus of United Nations officials in urging greater efforts to combat the scourge.

Rice to host U.N. talks on rape, Zimbabwe
June 18, 2008 - (Associated Press) Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice promised to send a "strong message" to Zimbabwe on the importance of a transparent election when she presides over United Nations debate Thursday.

United Nations System Support to Member States on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
June 17, 2008 – (UNIFEM) The membership of the UN General Assembly discussed a “Note on the United Nations System Support to Member States on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment” prepared by UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro, during an informal consultation held on 16 June 2008, which was co-chaired by the Permanent Representatives of Ireland and Tanzania.

Australia: $2m boost for women activists
June 15, 2008 – (The Sydney Morning Herald) A FEMALE anti-war body and Christian and Muslim groups will share in $2 million in grants to be announced today.

The Weapon of Rape
June 15, 2008 - (New York Times) The United Nations Security Council will hold a special session on sexual violence this Thursday, with Condoleezza Rice coming to New York to lead the debate. This session, sponsored by the United States and backed by a Security Council resolution calling for regular follow-up reports, just may help mass rape graduate from an unmentionable to a serious foreign policy issue.

UN Security Council Should Listen to Women Hurt by War
June 11, 2008 - (WURUN) The United Nations Security Council should effectively address sexual violence in conflict as a weapon of war and its destabilizing impact on communities, Human Rights Watch and the International Women’s Tribune Center said today.

Africa: UN Must Empower Peacekeepers to Stop Rape
June 10, 2008 – (AllAfrica) The United Nations Security Council should effectively address sexual violence in conflict as a weapon of war and its destabilizing impact on communities, Human Rights Watch and the International Women's Tribune Center said today.

Make forced marriage a crime against humanity: The UN must protect conflict zone 'bush wives'
June 9, 2008 - (CSMonitor) "Labeling forced marriage a crime against humanity has a number of important effects. It allows the international community to step in and prosecute whether or not local laws and legal authorities wish to pursue the cases. It validates the suffering of these women [...] Perhaps most important, it helps remove the stigma of "victimization" of women in conflict that has led to their systematic exclusion from peace processes and postconflict governance" deputy president of the International Crisis Group and former US Ambassador in Angola, Donald Steinberg writes in The Christian Science Monitor.

Women Bear the Brunt of Conflict
June 8, 2008 – (AllAfrica) Appalling. Inhuman. Atrocious. They are some of the words that describe the gruesome acts committed against women in times of war or conflict. Yet, even though women bear the brunt of conflict, they are often sidelined during the writing of peace accords to resolve these conflicts. But there are women in the midst of the misery who have determined to look for beauty in the ashes by engaging in peace-making activities, convinced that when the conflict is eradicated, the cases of sexual violence will dwindle.

United Nations: HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL DISCUSSES VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, MATERNAL MORTALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS OF WOMEN
June 5, 2008 – (UN Office at Geneva) The Human Rights Council this afternoon held two panel discussions on the human rights of women, the first discussing violence against women – identification of priorities, and the second discussing maternal mortality and the human rights of women.

Perpetrators of violence against women must be held to account – Louise Arbour SAId
June 5, 2008 – (UN News Center) Governments and other actors in positions of power and influence must make it a priority to bring perpetrators of violence against women to account, the top United Nations human rights official said today.

Time to turn commitment to ending gender-based violence into action – Migiro
June 4, 2008 - (UN News Center) Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro today pressed for action to end gender-based violence, stressing that stopping the deadly scourge will free up the world's women - a powerful weapon in the fight for peace, development and human rights.

The First Casualties in Wartime Happen to be Women
June 2, 2008 – (Daily Star) Truth is often said to be the first casualty in wartime. But if the real truth is told, it is women who are the first casualties. In conflict zones, the United Nations children's agency UNICEF recently observed, sexual violence usually spreads like an epidemic. Whether it is civil war, pogroms, or other armed conflicts, all too often women's bodies become part of the battlefield. The victims of large-scale sexual atrocities range from baby girls to old women.

UN to debate sexual violence resolution
May 30, 2008 - (Reuters) The U.N. Security Council is to debate a new resolution next month that aims to enshrine sexual violence as a security issue for the first time, senior diplomats said.

UN peacekeeping chief: More for missions
May 29, 2008 - (Washington Times) On thursday, day of the 60th anniversary of U.N. peacekeeping, Jean-Marie Guehenno pleaded with the international community to address gaps in support for peacekeeping missions. Head of UN peacekeeping Department also said that rooting out [sexual] abuse by peacekeepers would require "a cultural change" among troop contributors.

Belgian woman wages war for Al Qaeda on the Web
May 27, 2008 - (Herald Tribune) She calls herself a female holy warrior for Al Qaeda. She insists that she does not disseminate instructions on bomb-making and has no intention of taking up arms herself. Rather, she browbeats Muslim men to go and fight, and rallies women to join the cause.

united nations: More action needed to combat civilian deaths
May 27, 2008 - (Reuters) Much more needs to be done to prevent the killing and displacement of civilians in places such as Darfur, Somalia, Israel and Columbia, U.N. humanitarian affairs chief John Holmes said on Tuesday. Sexual violence is one of the most recurrent forms of violation against civilians.

Child abuse by aid workers, peacekeepers rife-study
May 27, 2008 - (Reuters) Sexual abuse of children by aid workers and peacekeepers is rife and efforts to protect young people are inadequate, said a report published on Tuesday. The study by charity Save the Children UK said there were significant levels of abuse in emergencies, much of it unreported and unless the silence ended, attempts to stamp out exploitation would "remain fundamentally flawed".

UN Security Council Resolution 1325: Recognizing Women's Vital Roles in Achieving Peace and Security
May 15, 2008 - (Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International USA) In its Resolution 1325 from October 2000, the United Nations Security Council outlined what the United Nations and its member states need to do to incorporate a gender perspective into peacekeeping operations and to promote women's full involvement in all efforts to maintain and promote peace and security. As the Subcommittee considers this part of Security Council Resolution 1325, we urge attention both to women's participation and to substantive representation of women's needs and experiences on peace and security agendas.

Women hold key to breaking out of global food crisis, stresses Migiro
May 1, 2008 – (UN News Centre) Not only do women suffer the most from global problems, such as the current crisis arising from the surge in food prices, but they can also contribute the most to its solutions, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro said today.

UN-backed TV series peels back silence surrounding worldwide sexual violence
April 17, 2008 – (UN News Centre) With one in three women worldwide suffering rape or attempted rape during her lifetime and at least one in three likely to be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused, a United Nations-backed television series starting tomorrow will seek to peel away the silence surrounding these brutalities.

IPU Report on Women's Political Representation
April 16, 2008 - (IPS) A new report by the Geneva-based Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) has shown that women are changing the priorities and sometimes the tone of legislatures around the world. But, it also highlights the slow pace at which the number of parliamentary seats held by women is increasing.

Women face bias worldwide - UN
April 5, 2008 - (BBC News) Women are discriminated against in almost every country around the world, a UN-commissioned report says. The report, which was prepared for UN Human Right Commissioner Louise Arbour, says rape within marriage has still not been made a crime in 53 nations.

Women call for greater role in conflict resolution
March 10, 2008 - (USA Today) Leading female power-brokers from around the world appealed Thursday for a larger political role for women in solving conflicts and poverty.

CAN WOMEN FIND UNIQUE WAYS OUT OF WAR?
March 8, 2008 - (The Christian Science Monitor) Women leaders from 45 nations meet in India this week to discuss their role in conflict resolution.

When will they ever learn? Women, men and peace-building
March 6, 2008 – (Open Democracy) International Women's Day is a moment to press global power-brokers to realise the aspiration of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 to allow women to take their rightful place at the heart of peace-building, says Lesley Abdela.

International Women leaders to discuss about Security and Women empowerment
March 6, 2008 - (Asiantribune.com) Sri Lanka’s former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge would be one of the 50 women leaders from all continents who will meet today in Brussels on the invitation of Ferrero-Waldner, EU-Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, to discuss about "Women: Stabilising an Insecure World."

Women's Day, a time to grieve, a time to be inspired
March 6, 2008 – (Reuters) Whether they're widows left destitute after decades of war, or victims of sexual violence and abuse, women are often disproportionately affected in times of conflict. In honour of International Women's Day on March 8, the media is reporting heavily on the soaring rates of violence against women around the globe. It's an important topic and a worrying trend, but it's important to remember the positive stories too.

Push for Creation of a Centralized UN Women’s Agency
March 6, 2008 - (Feminist Daily News Wire) The Campaign for Stronger Gender Equality Architecture Reform (GEAR) called for the creation of a centralized UN women's agency last week. The activist groups leading the campaign include Amnesty International, Center for Women's Global Leadership, International Planned Parenthood Federation, and Women's Environment and Development Organization. The campaign was launched last week during the 52nd Commission on the Status of Women, which ends on March 7.

Fund to Fight Gender Violence Puts Donors to the Test
March 6, 2008 - (IPS) The U.N. "Trust Fund to End Violence against Women" has risen significantly over the last year: from 3.5 million dollars in 2006 to over 15 million dollars in 2007. The U.N. Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), which manages the Trust Fund on behalf of the U.N. system, has now set an ambitious goal: to raise about 100 million dollars a year by 2015.

New-Improved Women's Agency Vies for U.N. Priority
March 6, 2008 - (WOMENSENEWS) A United Nations panel's recommendation to bolster the worldwide promotion of women's rights is getting a renewed push by advocates gathered in New York for the U.N.'s annual Commission on the Status of Women meeting, which ends March 7, the eve of International Women's Day.

Women Out in the Cold at Peace Talks
March 3, 2008 - (IPS) As the United Nations continues its two-week long discussions on the status of women worldwide, there is one nagging fact hovering around the conference rooms in the Secretariat: peacemaking is still largely in the hands of "men in suits, puffing on cigars".

WOMEN’S FULL PARTICIPATION IN CONFLICT PREVENTION, PEACEBUILDING NEEDED TO END USE OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE AS WEAPON, ENSURE LEGAL RIGHTS, SAY COMMISSION SPEAKERS
February 29, 2008 - (UN) Women must be allowed to participate fully in peacebuilding and conflict prevention in order to end sexual violence against women as a method of warfare and ensure women’s full legal, socio-economic and political rights after the fighting was over, several speakers told the Commission on the Status of Women this morning.

We ‘cannot wait’ to end violence against women – Secretary-General Ban
February 25, 2008 – (UN News Center) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today kicked off a multi-year global campaign bringing together the United Nations, governments and civil society to try to end violence against women, calling it an issue that “cannot wait.”

Do or Die: Learn to Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace
February 22, 2008 - (HRW) I am a failure. Not because of an early divorce, or a failure to learn Chinese. Not even because, after 15 years abroad, I sometimes sound like a foreigner when speaking my native Danish language. All of those things, while potentially uncomfortable or painful, are the consequences of choices I have made. I am a failure because I have not been able to create equality in my own relationship -- despite being defined by my business card as a "women's rights advocate."

AFRICA: First ladies fight for peace
February 18, 2008 - (IRIN) In a bid to support initiatives to restore and strengthen peace on the unrest-prone continent, wives of African heads of state or their representatives have formed a conflict-resolution group.

OSCE representative urges parliamentarians to step up fight against human trafficking
February 12, 2008 - (OSCE) The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Eva Biaudet, said today that parliamentarians have a crucial role to play in the fight against trafficking.

Rape "epidemic" in African conflict zones – UNICEF
February 12, 2008 – (Reuters) Rape and sexual violence against children and women are spreading in conflict zones in Africa like an epidemic, the U.N. children's agency UNICEF said on Tuesday.

International: Today: the International Day Against Female Genital Mutilation
February 6, 2008 - (UNFPA) Today UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, calls for stronger commitment to end female genital mutilation. We call on governments to protect the rights of women and girls.

Europe: 2008, European Year of the Intercultural Dialogue – With Women?
February 2, 2008 - (Women Living Under Muslim Laws) The Intercultural Dialogue can be a good mechanism to voice, expose & condemn those practices that violate women’s rights and silence women’s voices. Intercultural dialogue and diversity of culture should be promoted in a way that respects women’s rights.

UN Gender Equality Architecture: Strengthened in 2008?!
January 2008 - (WIDE) After a slowdown of the process within the UN to discuss UN reform and as part of it the recommendations to strengthen UN Gender Equality Architecture (GEA), new developments that may lead to final decisions made in favour of a strengthened GEA are now taking place.

Global: How did women fare in 2007?
Januay 15, 2008 - (Pambazuka News) Last year saw three female presidents come into power. In Argentina, left-leaning Cristina Fernandez was elected president, becoming the country's second ever woman to occupy its highest office. In her inaugural speech, Fernandez vowed to ensure the conclusion of the numerous human rights abuses cases arising from the dictatorship era from 1976 to 1983.

UN probes allegations of corruption, fraud
January 10, 2008 - (Reuters) A U.N. internal investigative unit has found an unexpected amount of fraud and abuse at the United Nations and is currently investigating 250 cases, including alleged sexual and financial offenses.

UNHCR Urges Women Leaders to Empower Female Refugees
January 2008 - (African Refugee Network Newsletter) A Norwegian polar explorer joined more than 50 senior businesswomen and aid workers in Geneva in mid-December to look at ways in which women leaders could help female refugees empower themselves through livelihood projects.

Dutch Action Plan 1325
January 2008 - (WPP In Action) "Resolution 1325 (2000) holds out a promise to women across the globe that their rights will be protected and that barriers to their equal participation and full involvement in the maintenance and promotion of sustainable peace will be removed. We must uphold this promise." (UN Secretary-General's 2004 report on Women, Peace and Security)