General Women, Peace and Security

October 2010 commemorates the tenth anniversary of the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which called for measures to address the impact of conflict on women and men and to engage women fully in processes of peacekeeping and peacebuilding. Ten years on, what is the situation?

The UNFPA's 2010 State of World Population report, released today, focuses on the effect of conflict and protracted humanitarian emergencies on women and girls, and shows why the development community should be talking, and talking seriously, about conflict.

What gender-related suggestions are in the legal opinion to be presented on Thursday to the Turkel Committee, whose main points appear for the first time here?

What actually is security? Pot-bellied generals with a big pair of binoculars, missile bases, fully stocked weapons warehouses. These images come to mind upon hearing this question. This is how we are used to thinking about this concept.

The 1990s were brutal years for women in war-torn countries.

In Bosnia and Kosovo, they were rounded up and systematically assaulted in rape centres. In Rwanda, they were raped, mutilated and slaughtered. In Liberia and Uganda they were tortured and forced into sexual slavery. And in East Timor they were kidnapped and raped as their husbands were executed.

"When we women speak out, without showing fear, we pay a high price: living with that fear," says one peace activist in Colombia. "The threats will not stop us from working for peace and social justice," says another.

Bukavu, 18 October 2010 - Peace and demilitarisation is the main theme of the third International Action of the World March of Women whose activities were held in Bukavu, South Kivu province from 13 to 17 October 2010. Thousands of people including DRC's First Lady Ms. Olive Lembe Kabila were in attendance.

The new super agency at the United Nations, called UN Women and combining four of the major women's agencies, is off to a good start with a new additional $10m grant initiative coming from the UN trust fund.

Assisting 18 nations with 13 separate initiatives to stop the spread of violence against women and girls worldwide, the UN Trust Fund aims to help local as well as national efforts.

First Lady Wafaa Sleiman launched a guide book about the situation of women in Lebanon, during a celebration at the Bristol Hotel in Beirut on Saturday.

Sleiman attended the gathering upon the invitation of the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), which collaborated to produce the publication.

The African Women's Decade, AWD (2010-2020) has been launched. It has the theme "grassroots approach to gender equality and women's empowerment".

The AWD was launched at the Kenyatta international Conference Center (KICC) in Nairobi today by Kenyan President Mr. Mwai Kibaki. AU Chairperson Dr Bingu wa Mutharika spoke at the launch as did the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr Jean Ping.