Iraq (S/PRST/2014/1)

Presidential Statement on the situation concerning Iraq, 10 January 2014 (S/PRST/2014/1):

http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/PRST/2014/1

Presidential Statement on the security situation in Iraq, in particular the attacks being perpetrated by the Al-Qaida affiliate, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant

(ISIL), and the efforts taken in response by the Iraqi Government and UN: including the Council’s calls for continued national dialogue, an inclusive political

process, the holding of free and fair elections in April 2014, the right to peaceful protest, protection of civilians including safe passage and safe return, bringing

perpetrators to justice, and that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with international law.

There was no mention of women, peace and security.

Despite a SG Report that devoted significant attention to women, peace and security (S/2013/661), this presidential statement gives no consideration to WPS

concerns. It therefore misses the opportunity to stress women’s growing political marginalization in Iraq, and the need for more concerted efforts to include women

as full and meaningful participants in conflict resolution, mediation and peacebuilding processes, as well as in electoral and political life more broadly. It also neglects

to highlight the human rights threats and abuses directed specifically at women and girls in Iraq, including domestic violence (and so-called “honor crimes”),

trafficking, forced prostitution, and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence.

In relation to the most recent MAP on Iraq (November 2013), the Presidential Statement was not responsive. It offers no mention of women’s protection needs,

nor does it bring a gender analysis to situations of detention, displacement or humanitarian access. It does not highlight challenges facing women in political

processes, nor their participation in national reconciliation efforts. And it does not reference women’s access to justice, nor any developments towards a National

The previous presidential statement was on 15 December 2010 (S/PRST/2010/27), and so represented a very different environment. More recent was the latest

Security Council Resolution of 24 July 2013 (S/RES/2110), which was not equivalent to a presidential statement, but it does include several references to women,

peace and security concerns, including the promotion and protection of gender equality, the protection of civilians including women, and a paragraph reaffirming the

WPS resolutions, the need for the full, equal and effective participation of women, and their role in reestablishing the fabric of society. However, each reference to

women, peace and security was located within the preamble, not the operative paragraphs.