General Women, Peace and Security

On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution (SCR) 1325, Minority Rights Group International (MRG) reminds parties to armed conflict, and regional and international organisations, of the particular vulnerability of minority and indigenous women and girls in areas of conflict.

The world's traditional peacemakers - a title long conferred on women - may be undergoing a gradual transformation.

The growing number of female suicide bombers in Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Palestine, and until recently Sri Lanka, and women combatants in Nepal and El Salvador, are challenging the long-held view that only men take up arms in war zones.

As a political instrument of power projection and status, nuclear weapons carry a peculiarly masculine symbolism. In the 1980s, Greenham women were at the forefront of challenging masculine ideologies of defence and security. We need to seize the initiative and again become the agents of security transformation.

Ten years ago, the UN passed a resolution underscoring the role of women in promoting peace and security. Yet despite the passage of three similar agreements since then, men still hold most of the influence.

As the Security Council met to debate women, peace and security and 10 years of progress in implementing SCR 1325, about a hundred women in white T-shirts inscribed with the words “Put Peace Women at Peace Tables: Implement 1325 Women Peace and Security NOW!” gathered outside the Church Center building across the street from the United Nations.

The International Women's Day in 2000 was an extraordinary day for me and will remain so for the rest of my life.

ESCWA opened today its scheduled activities of the Tenth Anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 concerning women, security and peace. For the occasion, the Regional Commission launched its study entitled "The Means to Strengthen the Role of Women in Conflict Resolution and Peace Building", with an emphasis on case studies from Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq.

A Vietnamese representative to the United Nations has affirmed Vietnam's support to UN Resolution 1325, which aims to promote women's role and rights in relation to peace and security, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

Can art change the world? The people at Freedom to Create believe it can. Since 2008, Freedom to Create has awarded its annual prize to honor "the power of art to fight oppression, break down stereotypes and build trust in societies where the social fabric has been ripped apart by conflict, violence and misunderstanding."

Women from Indonesia's conflict zones called upon the government to finalize a national action plan to end the violence, sexual abuse and suppression suffered by many women in times of conflict.

The drafting of the national action plan has entered its 10th year, after the release of the plan's basis, United Nations Resolution 1325, in 2000.