General Women, Peace and Security

I am in Zamboanga City for the 2nd National Conference of Muslim Women Peace Advocates with the theme "Noorus Salam: From Vision to Action, From Conflict to Peace" (February 7-10, Garden Orchid Hotel).

In July 2010 the United Nations announced that they would be establishing a new entity that would encompass any and all work dedicated to issues of gender inequality and women's empowerment particularly those related to violence and discrimination.

Women for Women International will be organising the second JOIN ME ON THE BRIDGE event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day.

We want to make it bigger and better with Bridge events spanning the globe.

It is widely observed and reported that women bear the brunt of armed conflict. From Uganda to Kosovo, women have suffered the physical and mental consequences of violence that is perpetrated and perpetuated by men. Seeing that peace talks involve the alleviation of damages sustained from conflict, one would think that women would be key stakeholders within the discussion and negotiation.

"The 1325 Key to Peace" is a play written by Shirley Farlinger. Signed ten-years ago, the UN Security Council resolution 1325 mandates women's participation at tables of peace and war decision-making at all levels.

So Mubarak is gone and certainly it is good to finally be rid of someone who has consistently abused the human rights of the citizens of Egypt. But it is not at all clear yet whether those that take his place will be better, particularly for women. That is something that we still don't know, so it feels premature to truly celebrate.

Why is it that although rule of law and police reform are often stated to be priorities during peace processes, women still face rising insecurity in ‘post'-conflict societies? Afghanistan offers some lessons on the triangular nexus between police, security and women in peace processes.

In June 2011, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on transnational corporations and other business enterprises (SRSG), Prof. John Ruggie, will present his final report to the UN Human Rights Council. This report will include Guiding Principles for the operationalization of the “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework as well as options for UN mechanisms on business and human rights to follow the SRSG.

Dear Madam Michelle Bachelet,
Congratulations Madam Michelle, you are now our UN Under –Secretary-General

That the barriers which prevent the activation of women's participation are many and complex and vary from one country to another and according to the circumstances social, cultural, political and economic.