AUDIO: Key Role of Women in Rebuilding Post-crisis Societies Focus of New UN Report

Discrimination against women and the perpetuation of crimes such as rape is a major hindrance to peace, security and development in countries emerging from conflict, according to The 2010 State of the World Population report.

The report by the United Nations Population Fund or UNFPA says when women have the same rights and opportunities as men, they are more resilient to conflict and disaster.

Safiye Çagar from UNFPA says it's crucial to recognise the role women play in rebuilding broken societies.

"Renewal means creating new opportunities and rectifying entrenched inequalities. Renewals requires empowerment of all members of society who are vulnerable those are women the young and the elderly so they may all become agents of positive change."

The 2010 State of the World population report coincides with the 10th anniversary of the UN's Security Council's landmark resolution 1325, which aims to put a stop to sexual violence against women and girls in armed conflict and to encourage greater participation by women in peace building initiatives.

Sound bites

Safiye Çagar

The 2010 report shows that while women rarely wage wars, they suffer the worst of its consequences, and women's participation in peace-building is a prerequisite to its success. This year's report is about the three Rs: resilience, renewal, re-defining roles between men and women, and boys and girls.

Safiye Çagar

Yes, conflict and disaster can worsen inequalities between men and women, but the report shows that recovery from conflict and disaster also presents a unique opportunity, an opportunity to rectify inequalities, insure equal protection under the law, and create space for positive change. The report tells the story of change by people who have lived through conflict in places like Liberia, or through natural disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti.

Safiye Çagar

The State of the World Population report shows that when women enjoys rights and opportunities they are more resilient to disaster and conflict and can play a central role in reconstruction, peace building and recovery. On the other hand when woman and girl suffered deep discrimination they are more vulnerable to the worst effects of disaster and war including humiliation of rape. And less likely to contribute to peace building which threatens long term recovery.

Safiye Çagar

The inequalities on poverty faced by women let to exploitation, gender based violence and HIV infection. The dislocation from war and disaster in turn results in even worse poverty, fewer economic opportunities and even greater vulnerability. This year's report calls attention to the devastating and unacceptable sexual violence in countries affected by conflict. As an international community we have not been able to prevent this crime and human rights violation. The report calls for urgent and concerted action to protect women, prevent sexual violence and stop impunity and bring justice.

Safiye Çagar

The numbers of women who have been raped blur the impact of devastation it presents to each and every women survivor. Women are the centre of the family, the community. A woman is the pillar. If you picture a tent she is the centre of structure holding up the protection for all those who gather underneath. When she has been violated she has been physically and emotionally destroyed. Rape is an appalling, and the humanitarian reasons to stop are enough. But beyond these reasons there are important challenges that this human violation creates. When women cannot function, cannot work, cannot participate fully their families, communities and their nation suffer too.

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