Women, Peace and Security and the United Nations: 2015 in Review

By: Charlette Lopez

 

Photo Credit: UN Women

2015 brought increased attention to conflict prevention as a key gap area and more tools that can be utilised in addressing this critical gap. PeaceWomen led WILPF’s work in advocating for a conflict prevention approach to development that addresses the prevention gap by investing in gender equality and peace.

Between June and October 2015, three peace and security reviews were conducted: on peace operations, peacebuilding and Women, Peace and Security. As part of successful advocacy by civil society, the three peace and security reviews recognised the need for more emphasis on prevention, sustaining peace and addressing militarism and root causes of conflict to prevent conflict, and avoid conflict re-emergence.

In September, at the General Assembly, the Sustainable Development Goals were adopted. Our successful advocacy contributed to successfully advocating for a stand-alone goal, both on gender equality (Goal 5) and on stable and peaceful societies (Goal 16).  It also contributed to targets addressing illicit arms (16.4), promoting a culture of peace and nonviolence (4.7), ensuring inclusive and participatory decision-making (16.7) ensuring equal access to justice for all (16.3), and mobilizing additional financial resources (17.3). WILPF demands that the Sustainable Development Goals be implemented within a holistic framework that upholds women’s human rights and strengthens implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

For PeaceWomen’s overview on Sustainable Development Goals, please see here.
For PeaceWomen’s overview of the General Assembly, please see here.
 

Tools You Can Use in 2016:
Women, Peace and Security Advocacy Toolkit 
2015 Social Media Packet
2015 Call to Action: Member State Commitments to Women, Peace and Security
Coverage of the Sustainable Development Goals
70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly