General Women, Peace and Security

Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Coburn, and Members of the Subcommittee: thank you for this opportunity to discuss with you the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, commonly known as CEDAW, or the Women's Treaty. I appreciate not only the attention you are bringing to this particular issue today, but also your ongoing support for women's rights around the world.

“Creating DMZs – Everyone's Responsibility”

The Book Café, Fife Ave Mall (upstairs)
Thursday 25 November, 2010 – 5.30-7pm

Speakers: Jona Gokova (Crisis Coalition), Netty Musanhu (Musasa Project), 3rd Speaker (TBC) and Chaired by Sally Dura

UNICEF welcomes the adoption by the United Nations Security Council of a resolution calling for increased protection from sexual violence for women and children in conflict countries. Sexual violence is a horrific violation of human rights and a despicable weapon of war used against women and children.

Ten years ago, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security.

In short, “1325” (as the international law is known among advocates) seeks to elevate the decision-making of women in war zones and protect women during armed conflict.

I recently made my way through the same Central African countryside as I traveled through two years ago with Population Services International (PSI), the global health organization for which I serve on the board of directors. This time, I was in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the Center for American Progress' to investigate mineral mining in conflict areas and advocate for the ban of their use.

Marking the tenth anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), three organizations (Women's International League for Peace and Freedom/PeaceWomen, the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security and Global Action to Prevent War) collaborated on launching their publications: Women, Peace and Security Handbook, Promoting Women's Participation in Conflict and Post-Conflict Societies, and Mapping Women, Pe

Ladies and Gentlemen, good evening.

It was the night between the 30th and the 31st of May, when Israeli commandos attacked a ship in the Mediterranean. The ship, the Mavi Marmara, was part of a flotilla making its way towards Gaza to break the siege. 9 people died on the ship during the military takeover. Israel became a target to political attacks and condemnations coming from all over the world, and from within as well.

There is bad news every day: wars, disasters, violence, poverty and misery on a global scale. We would like to counteract these depressing facts with some hopeful information in the form of Visionews, which will publish success stories and inspiring visions of peace from all over the world, providing encouraging examples of achievements.

Fellowship Programme in South Asia “Understanding Masculinities: Culture, Politics & Social Change”

http://www.engagingmen.net/networks/sanam/fellowship

Applications are due on or before: 18 November 2010
The applications received after 17:00 hrs (Nepal Standard Time) on 18th November will not be considered.

Editorial Team: We are launching a new op-ed competition to celebrate the 10th anniversary of UN Resolution 1325 and to contribute to the implementation of its goal of empowering women in peace and security.