Remain Actively Seized of the Matter (OP18, SCR1325)

The anticipated buildup to the 10th anniversary of the landmark resolution UNSCR1325 is in full swing. International and local organized conferences, events, and celebrations of the anniversary are already bringing discussions of women, peace and security to the forefront. Panels and participants have applauded the strides taken in the past decade and addressed gaps in implementation and accountability while celebrating the contributions of women to prevention, protection, participation, and relief and recovery. PeaceWomen is especially excited about the the participatory multimedia Peace Fair, being held from October 25-29, which will showcase the contributions that womens' groups and other civil society organizations have made to implement the resolution. To see information on the anniversary visit PeaceWomen.org: anniversary site, including the new event outcomes summary page.

Sadly, in the shadow of the preparation for this anniversary, shocking and widespread violence against more than 240 people concentrated in the Ruvungi, Walikale region, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between 30 July and 2 August, 2010 was exposed (UN News Centre, 9/7/10). The Special Representative (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict Margot Wallström, who was appointed to coordinate the UN response in the DRC, stated in our last edition of PeaceWomen ENews (116) that “the Congolese people deserve a credible security sector that can protect them, … (and) so long as rapists remain at large they hold the international reputation of the Congo hostage.” She called for more to be done “not only to help the victims, but to help ensure there are no more victims.” (Read full editorial Translating Promises into Practice Editorial).

Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for peacekeeping Atul Khare briefed the Security Council on September 7, urging the use of targeted sanctions against the perpetrators to begin ending impunity for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the DRC. Considering the lack of communication with victims that surrounded this incident and the many others like it, the imperative to create channels for consultation, develop preventative mechanisms, and empower local women is more pressing than ever. (Further news on the DRC is available on the DRC page of peacewomen.org).

PeaceWomen monitors the Security Council's mandate renewals and, extracts the women/gender content, or lack thereof, in its resolutions, debates, and reports (see PeaceWomen Security Council Monitor). The presence of language in a resolution is not, in itself, sufficient to ensure that peacekeepers effectively address the rights and concerns of women. For instance, despite the mandate of MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo), including support for the DRC government's efforts to protect civilians from all forms of sexual and gender-based violence (Paragraph 12(c) of SCR 1925 (2010)), the events of the past month clearly highlight flaws in implementation of real protection on the ground, by both the peacekeeping mission and the government. (See further details on DRC Mandate on PeaceWomen Resolution Watch).

In a further effort to advance monitoring, PeaceWomen is compiling and analysing data from Resolution Watch to produce a Women, Peace and Security Handbook focusing on the Security Council's incorporation of the WPS agenda in country-specific resolutions, and particularly those that constitute peacekeeping mission mandates (to be launch in October 2010). By virtue of the Security Council's decision “to remain actively seized of the matter [of Women, peace and security]” (SCR 1325, OP 18), the Women, peace and security agenda remains on the Council's program. The systematic integration of a gender perspective and women's rights and concerns into the Council's policy, decision-making and actions is pivotal to achieving real peace and security for women on the ground .

On September 2, 2010, WILPF International organized an event in Geneva, “10 years after UN SCR 1325: Conflict Prevention Mechanisms,” chaired by Madeleine Rees, WILPF Secretary General, which featured a lively and critical discussion of SCR 1325 and conflict prevention strategies and mechanisms. Mary Robinson (President, Realizing Rights) pointed out that in the interest of conflict prevention, a link between women, peace and security must be drawn to human rights mechanisms. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda (General Secretary, World YWCA) reinforced this idea, expressing the need to coordinate 1325 with existing international and regional humanitarian law and human rights instruments.

In the backdrop of the anniversary and these global events, the establishment and formation of a new hybrid entity continues: UN WOMEN, which will consolidate DAW, OSAGI, UNIFEM, and INSTRAW, and strengthen the UN's work on gender equality and women's empowerment. The Gender Equality Architecture Reform (GEAR) Campaign has issued a Call to Action:

• Establish meaningful, systematic, and diverse civil society participation
• Demand a dynamic and relevant agenda for UN Women
• Pressure donors to aim for $1 billion in funding and meet their commitment to "core, multi-year, predictable, stable and sustainable" contributions
• Seek powerful, capable and effective leadership at every level

Please sign the GEAR petition, and visit the PeaceWomen website for more information on UN Women. We expect the UN Secretary-General to appoint the Under-Secretary-General in the coming weeks.

This week marks the opening of the 65th General Assembly. The theme of the general debate will be "Reaffirming the central role of the United Nations in global governance.” This year a special Plenary will be held to discuss accelerating progress toward the 2015 Millennium Development Goals deadline. At PeaceWomen, we are continuing to hold Member States accountable to their women, peace and security commitments by collecting, tracking, and monitoring the gendered language and statements made in the General Assembly Plenary and sharing them on our website (GA65 Monitor).

Additionally, on Saturday September 25th, “A 1325 Call to Action” Ministerial-level side event will take place at the United Nations; it is currently co-hosted by Austria, Bangladesh, Canada, Chile, Namibia, Sierra Leone and Civil Society Advisory Group. This event will introduce the idea of and showcase 1325 commitments - at national, regional and international levels - so that the international community is ready to make strong, time-bound, measurable commitments at the upcoming Security Council Ministerial-level Open Debate in October.

In the buildup to October's Open Debate, let us urge our governments, UN actors, and the Security Council to make and take real, measurable and progressive steps toward positively impacting the lives of women in conflict and post-conflict situations. Let us make sure that these actors continue to "remain actively seized of the matter"…"Let us all remain actively seized of the matter."