General Women, Peace and Security

Championing the emancipation of Afghan women is emerging as a possible nonmilitary, post-combat role for Canada as politicians and activists debate the future of the costly mission in Afghanistan.

As you were probably aware, last week UN member states elected 41 members of the inaugural executive board of the newest UN entity, UN Women.

Since democracy was restored two decades ago, Chile has worked hard to progress in areas as essential as the reestablishement of the rule of law, the protection of human rights and the consolidation of freedom, stability and governance as well as economic growth, social progress and freedom of the press.

Championing the emancipation of Afghan women is emerging as a possible non-military, post-combat role for Canada as politicians and activists debate the future of the costly mission in Afghanistan.

More than 100 women and men gathered on 11 and 12 November 2010 in Tallinn, Estonia, to discuss the implications of United Nations Security Council Resolution on Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325) for Afghanistan. Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet opened the conference that his ministry co-organized with the Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association, stressing the importance his government attaches to UNSCR 1325.

Ministers and parliamentarians from 19 countries in Asia-Pacific have agreed on 'Whole-of-Government Approaches' for the promotion and advancement of actions and legislation on the elimination of violence against women.

At an event marking the 10th anniversary of the landmark Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, the man credited with pushing through the resolution was not in a celebratory mood. Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury, dubbed “the father of Resolution 1325,” expressed disappointment at the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) event about slow progress in achieving women's participation and protection.

Switzerland is taking further steps to implement an international resolution that aims to increase the participation of women in the peace process.

A revised national action plan was discussed at a conference in Bern this week organised by the Swiss foreign ministry. The plan sets out how Switzerland can apply United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, unanimously adopted ten years ago.

Today EULEX marks the tenth anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

Helen Samu Hakena exudes a serenity that belies her extraordinary energy and inner strength that she has devoted to the cause of justice, peace building and advocating for women's and human rights and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.