General Women, Peace and Security

On Thursday 3 March 2011, the YWCAs of Palestine, Sudan and Sri Lanka presented a parallel event at the fifty-fifth session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), to provide their perspectives on living in a conflict country. The presentation focused around women, education and peace building, and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

Throughout the extraordinary events of the last few months, across the Middle East and North Africa, long-silenced voices demanding change are being heard worldwide -- and stalwart among them are the voices of women.

One hundred years ago, when the world first commemorated International Women's Day, gender equality and women's empowerment were largely radical ideas. On this centenary, we celebrate the significant progress that has been achieved through determined advocacy, practical action and enlightened policy making. Yet, in too many countries and societies, women remain second-class citizens.

Today is the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, a milestone centenary worthy of the celebrations bestowed upon it. Michelle Bachelet, the first executive director of U.N. Women and former Chilean president, has described the last century as one of progress and of "women using their collective voice to organize for change."

I spend a lot of time with children these days, but it was the cause of women that pushed me to initially try and lobby the world to stand firm in the fight for the dispossessed and the vulnerable. As UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women for nine years, I traveled the world over to listen to victims and to argue with governments.

On March 3 2011 the UK Upper House held a debate to recognise International Women's Day 2011. For full report, please click here.

Now follows some extracts from the debate. These include the very brave part played by Arab women in the Days of Rage plus a reference to UK post-conflict specialist Lesley Abdela's work.

As disturbing new reports of male rape in Congo made clear, wartime sexual violence isn't limited to women and girls. But in its ongoing effort to eradicate rape during conflict, the United Nations continues to overlook a significant imperative: ending wartime sexual assault of men and boys as well.

Humanity continues to witness human rights violations in the discrimination and violence against half of the world's population, writes Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director of the United Nations Population Fund and under-secretary-general of the United Nations. (The opinions expressed are his own.)

"I, a girl, am going down to Tahrir Square and I will stand alone." With these words, Asmaa Mahfouz put out a call on YouTube that went viral, helping to ignite Egypt's revolution. A 26-year-old business management graduate, Mahfouz helped rally Egyptians for the initial Jan. 25 protest, to "say no to corruption, no to this regime." But Mahfouz's activism had its roots in another protest led by another woman.