CONFERENCE FOLLOW-UP: Brussels Conference Conclusions: SCR 1325 'Ensuring Women's Participation in Peace and Security'

On 9 September 2010 the European Union (EU) and Belgium organised an event in Brussels called 'Ensuring women's participation in peace and security' to mark the 10th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution (SCR) 1325.

Some of the speakers made reference to small arms control in relation to SCR 1325 although these comments were not recorded in the Conference Conclusions document (attached). They included:

Steven Vanackere, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium opened the conference and made a specific link between SCR 1325 and disarmament and DDR.

Alain Le Roy, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations confirmed that women play an important role in disarmament processes in particular.

Inès Alberdi, Executive Director of UNIFEM mentioned the flow of small arms into particular areas/regions in the context of Early Warning Systems, and how this is often overlooked but is vital.

Elisabeth Rehn, Minister of State, Finland cited an example from Kosovo in which women noticed an increase in the presence of small arms in their homes and communities prior to conflict. Although these women were concerned they had no one to report this information to because of the absence of an Early Warning System that included small arms.

Bineta Diop, Executive Director of Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) made an interesting comment that SCR 1325 is 'used as a gun for peace'. She was critical of DDR processes which only focus on those who are armed because it enables and perpetuates a culture of impunity.

For more information about the event and other speakers please see: http://www.eutrio.be/ensuring-women-participate-peace-and-security-issues