Standard Operation Procedures on Gender and DDR

Negotiating DDR: Promoting Women's Political Participation Women's organizations and networks are important players in the peace process, but they frequently lose political ground during and after peace negotiations; despite their active engagement in all aspects of conflict, they often fail to enter into positions of political leadership when post-war reconstruction processes begin. Since DDR processes are usually conceived at the peace table, any UN personnel involved in facilitating or expediting a peace process should proactively assist the attendance of women's representatives, inform them about what DDR is, and promote their involvement in the planning phase. This will contribute towards ensuring that women and girl ex- combatants, women working in support functions to armed groups and forces, wives and dependants as well as members of the receiving community are informed and included in shaping any peace accord and related DDR plans.