INTERNATIONAL: The New UN Special Representative on Women in Armed Conflict Should Be a Woman

The United Nations Security Council on 30 September unanimously adopted Resolution 1888 mandating the Secretary General to appoint a Special Representative on women, peace and security.

With rape being a widespread weapon of war, the European Women's Lobby (EWL), the largest umbrella organisation of women's associations in the European Union, has warmly welcomed this move to give high-level political attention to this issue, and has written a letter to Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary General, to insist that this is one top post that should go to a woman.

'This Resolution is about the protection and at the same time about the representation of women', explains Myria Vassiliadou, EWL Secretary General. 'At the moment, women are very much under-represented in formal peace-processes, and are generally seen only as the victims of war rather than as actors helping to build peace. It is for this reason that a woman should be appointed to lead efforts for the protection of women from sexual violence, but also for
their attainment of equality within their societies. It is also for this reason that we would favour the mandate of the UNSR being extended beyond sexual violence to cover women, peace and security more broadly.'

The Resolution calls for more involvement of women in peace processes, and for the important role women play in rebuilding societies devastated by war to be recognised and maximised. Two other Resolutions on the same theme, one dating from 2000 (1325) and one adopted in the immediate aftermath of 1888 (1889), specifically call on the Secretary General to appoint more women as Special Representatives and Envoys.

Supporters of a female candidate are arguing that it is crucial that the new Special Representative be someone with a track record on promoting gender equality, who can build trust and mutual understanding around this issue.

Brigitte Triems, EWL President, insists that there are many ways men can and need to be involved in the UN's work on combating sexual violence in conflict situations, at all levels, but that 'only by appointing a woman to this post can the Secretary General respect the spirit of Resolution 1888 to actively promote the full participation of women in peace-keeping and peace-building. We trust that Mr. Ban Ki-Moon will seize this opportunity to make the protection and equal representation of women a reality.