General Women, Peace and Security

President Benigno S. Aquino III received from Socio Economic Planning Secretary Cayetano Paderanga, Jr. the fourth Progress Report on the Philippines' compliance to the United Nations Millenium Development Goals during ceremonies held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City Wednesday morning.

Women are “indispensable partners” in all aspects of making and consolidating peace, ranging from reconciliation to economic recovery to social cohesion, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed today.

In the presence of H.R.H Princess Astrid of Belgium, Catherine Ashton, and Steven Vanackere, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, co-hosted a high-level conference at the Palais d'Egmont in Brussels today to mark the tenth anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women's Participation in Peace and Security and called for its full and speedy implementation.

The women's movement in Uganda last week called for the fast implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325. This call comes ahead of the 10th anniversary since the world body urged governments to ensure security of women and their participation in conflict prevention and resolution.

Wearing matching green headscarves coupled with dark jeans and tuniques, Afghan NGO leader Shakila and her daughter Zhulina, eyed the 25 shoeless International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) officers sitting on floor cushions in the ISAF Joint Command (IJC) shura room nervously, before introducing themselves.

Often called the Switzerland of Central Asia, mountainous and ethnically diverse Kyrgyzstan was once touted as a success case for peaceful coexistence. Now, following violent clashes in June between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks, ethnic tension is threatening to topple the stability of the entire region. But, a well-organized and thriving women's movement could pull Kyrgzstan back from the brink.

Over the period of 29 August to 1 September, UNAMID conducted several focus group discussions and interviews with key stakeholders as part of the 10-year impact study on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000). The landmark document ensures that the promotion of women's empowerment and gender equality form a central part of efforts to implement peacekeeping mandates.

The UN is set to empower Tanzanian women ahead of the General Election in October 31, the world body said in a statement released Wednesday.

It said the empowerment includes improving their skills in public speaking, media engagement, campaign planning, presentations, community mobilisation, advocacy and lobbying.

Life is not easy for many women in Sudan. Because of decades of civil war, they have suffered extreme violence and trauma due to displacements, the loss of life and instability of their country.

Afghanistan's transition toward leading its own security efforts must include the rights of Afghan women.