Implementing UNSCR 1325

Implementing UNSCR 1325

on Women, Peace and Security:

Strengthening the CSW55 Agenda

23 February 2011

Parallel Session Presenters:

Betty Reardon
Cora Weiss
Mavic Cabrera-Balleza
Charles Hitchcock - Peace Action
Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury
Jasmin Galace
Martha Quintero

Presentations:

Mavic Cabrera-Balleza -
1325 is the mother or foundation document (Oct. 31, 2000)

1820 - June 19, 2008 - sexual violence in conflict

1888 - (Sept. 30, 2009) -appointment of SRSG to lead efforts to end SV in conflict

1889 - (Oct. 5, 2009) - key feature is to have S-G track progress of 1325, strengthen commitment to engage women in peace negotiations

1960 (Dec. 16, 2010) -further strengthen political will to prevent SV, combat impunity and enforce accountability - key feature: create list of those committing the crimes

(Note: CFUW did not know about this resolution and nor had the panel members before it was passed. It took them completely by surprise.)

Civil society was increasingly excluded.

For 1820 there was some engagement but 1888 there was a bit of consultation but in a lesser way.

For 1889 and 1960 there was no civil society engagement.

Only 24 countries have submitted National Action Plans - about 12% of possible 192 Member States.

(Note: Canada's National Action Plan was rolled out on 5 October 2010.)

Martha Quintero

From Colombia - worked on implementation of 1325 on the ground.

Re Colombia - many problems, but women's movement is helping.

4 million displaced persons - 52% women

Sexual violence a big problem, esp. amongst the displaced - also because of housing problem

Many organizations and women are threatened because of their work - e.g. leaders working for the rights of displaced women; and women human rights defenders are attacked and threatened.

Many private security guards, so many civilians have guns.

Need a humanitarian solution.

Military are committing "many horrors" in our country. Forces people to flee to other places.
Lack of participation of womrn in formal peace processes
Gov't has a military security agenda.
 Women ask for negotiated humanitarian solutions
The demobilization process of paramilitaries did not bring justice to the women who suffered violence
Land restitution system does not solve problemWhat the Gov't has Done
Reports to CEDAW re situation of women
Act in 2008 on attention and protection of women victims of armed conflictNeed to pressure the Gov't to do their National Action Plan.

Jasmin Galace

From the Philippines - 17th to have National Action Plan (in March 2010)

Goal 1 - Implementing the National Action Plan:
Most are peace and women's groups from civil society

Encouraging local government as well to take actions

Enact and enforce laws regulating possession of small arms

Capability-building

Support peace negotiations, work on gender-responsive agreements

Goal 2 -

Empowerment and Participation - increase women on peace panels
Presence of women in peace negotiationsGoal 2 - Promotion and mainstreaming

Challenges:
Lack of resources

New gov't - lack of ownership, other priorities

Need to demstify the thinking that "representation is good enough" or "it's the quality, not the quantity that counts"Cora Weiss



Today is launch of Nepal National Action Plan - a historic day (Showed a 4-minute film on the launch at end of session)

GNWP - check the website (see the demands in the letter)

Re UNSCR 1960 - Took us completely by surprise to put it mildly

Someone said, "There are no demands in it." It's not good enough to have women's involvement incorporated into every SCR relating to 1325. Must have full and equal participation of women.

A letter of demands has been drawn up.

Over 100 organizations have already signed on to the letter.

Sent it around for signatures from the room - I signed.

Betty Reardon

We have to be constantly aware of what is happening. In peace education, 1325 should be as integral as the Declaration of Human Rights. It can be as transformative as the DHR. It provides a whole new framework.

Participation, Prevention, Protection

Women need to be present in the creation of security policy, and not just in conflict resolution.

Conflict must be prevented in the first place and it can be done through security policy.

Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury

Bangladesh

Implementation of 1325
Need to carry our message to the CSW55.

We will never let up on commitment to 1325.

In 2004 the Commission decided to engage in full participation in seeing that 1325 is implemented.

Equality and Participation were cornerstones for implementation of 1325.

UN Secretary-General needs to take it up with the countries and ask what they are doing in their National Action Plans - vital to have.

NGO groups need to support the National Action Plans and show interest. Monitor.

Secretary-General is not following through on his own directive to have National Action Plans.Indicators:

Do not take into account the views of the developing countries.

Monitoring:
There should be participatory monitors such as the Stop Violence Against Women monitor.International Instruments:
Conventions, treaties have regulatory elements - e.g. CEDAW - has regular reporting mechanisms.

Countries with no National Action Plan on 1325 can use CEDAW.UN Women
Need to have a lead person in UN Women who will follow 1325 regularly.

Should bring other bodies on board to ensure proper co-ordinationCivil society should be involved with the five-year review of the implementation of 1325.

Continuing vigilance is the price of the implementation of 1325.

Questions and Comments from Attendees
Why the secrecy re UNSCR 1960 - also on the other SCRs?

What countries are you working with on National Action Plan?

Have any Middle Eastern countries prepared National Action Plans?

How can civil society be involved in the monitoring of the implementation of 1325?

"Friends of 1325" has over 40 supportive Member States (started in Canada) - should we not be pressing the Friends to do more?

Need to get the message of 1325 to the grassroots - women and men.