Lessons From Liberia: Reintegrating Women in Post-Conflict Liberia

Following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and recognising the significant numbers of women and children involved, the UN Security Council determined in 2003 that the new Disarmament Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DDRR) process in Liberia must give particular attention to their special needs.

1. This approach is in line with the Security Council's landmark resolution 1325 (2000), on Women Peace and Security.

2. The UN Integrated DDR Standards also require the building of a gender-responsive approach to DDR into every stage of the process.

3. This includes the active involvement of groups representing women's interests during peace negotiations, and in the design, implementation and evaluation of DDR programs. The UN Integrated Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) led the disarmament and demobilization phase which began in December 2003. The reintegration and rehabilitation phase was jointly run by the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (NCDDRR) and UNDP when they started with the training program.