Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security

The theme of the debate was “The Role of Women’s Civil Society Organizations in Contributing to the Prevention and Resolution of Armed Conflict and Peacebuilding.” Given the tireless efforts civil society organizations in creating and implementing this broad agenda, the theme was welcomed and timely.

The civil society speaker, Bineta Diop, speaking on behalf of the NGO Working Group, highlighted the contribution of women’s organizations to international peace and security; the importance of conflict prevention; and the security threats women and women’s human rights defenders face in conflict settings. On recently returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she echoed the voices of women she had met calling urgently for peace, security, protection and humanitarian assistance. Saying she promised them that she would come to talk to the Security Council, she called on the Council and international community “not to let them down this time”. Ms. Diop further made it known, that “women are not absent because they lack negotiating skills or because the cannot make contributions,” nor should women’s priorities ever be considered secondary or of special interest in these processes, but rather must be always viewed as essential and integral to the peace process, political process, and national development.

Michelle Bachelet, head of UN Women, started off the debate paying tribute to women’s civil society organizations noting, “the very origin of Security Council resolution 1325 is the courage, leadership and accomplishments of women’s civil society organizations that promote peace under what are often unimaginably difficult circumstances.” Bachelet emphasized this sentiment stating that wherever there is conflict, women must fully be a part of the solution. She called for the consistent implementation of international norms on the human rights of women and girls as a necessity to prevent conflict and build peace, while stressing the need for accountability for those who violate such rights. Like Madame Bachelet, Hervé Ladsous, head of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, stressed the need to develop effective gender awareness solutions through the active and systematic consultation with local women’s civil society organizations. He acknowledged the challenges social and cultural norms can pose to the full participation of women in the political sphere but stressed the ever-important critical role women must have through political participation. When speaking to national effectiveness, Mr. Ladsous recommended the need for the international community “to do more to help states develop constitutional reforms that include gender-specific perspectives and take into account issues related to gender-based violence.” Although this recommendation is of the highest importance, it must be acknowledged and followed by tracking and accountability efforts to ensure the full participation of gender-specific perspectives at all levels from the local to the national.

The majority of States, with the notable exception of Russia and China, welcomed the report of the Secretary-General. Russia’s statement in particular undermined the scope and approach to work on WPS. Russia stated that measures taken by civil society organizations should only compliment efforts of the state and further articulated that resolution 1325 National Action Plans only be used voluntarily by those experiencing armed conflict. Russia further elaborated on the Council’s only responsibility to WPS as being in accordance to conflict and that all other issues relating to WPS be handled by other UN bodies. China further echoed this statement stating that the Council is not an appropriate place to mandate for universal human rights and that national governments must bare the responsibility of protecting women’s rights. The representative from Ireland stated that “National ownership can never become a rationale or alibi for inaction by the rest of us.”

Regarding thematic issue of prevention and disarmament, Ms Bineta Diop stressed the necessity for all member states to adopt comprehensive arms trade treaty with legal and enforceable prevention criteria for gender-based violence. Trinidad and Tobago, Lithuania, and New Zealand also referenced the importance of women’s roles and participation within disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control dialogues.

The need to advance women’s participation in mediation and peace process was a consistent matter addressed, with representatives mentioning the critical and essential impact that women can and do have in the resolution of peace. When speaking about women’s participation in mediation and peace processes, Kazakhstan emphasized the importance of taking into consideration the knowledge and grass-roots efforts women contribute to the peace process. Liechtenstein further elaborated on this point, concurrently addressing it in relation to sexual violence noting; when sexual violence is not addressed in early stages of mediation, such as ceasefires, it consequently remains absent through the entire process. Togo reiterated this sentiment giving harrowing statistics that only 2 out of 14 UN peace negotiations have women in the ranks where as 12 out of 14 UN mediation support teams are comprised of women.

Guatemala, who held the presidential seat last month when the debate was originally scheduled, spoke to the direct link between peacebuilding and economic concerns as they pertain to women. Guatemala further elaborated on the importance of women’s economic independence as a means to foster prevention. Morocco echoed this sentiment stating the importance of civil society as an engine for facilitating socio-economic growth, while Colombia elaborated on the importance of states recognizing challenges women face as to allow for greater economic and political participation.

Italy and Estonia spoke to the importance of educating and engaging men and boys in efforts to diminish violence against women and in the prevention of greater human rights violations perpetrated against women and girls. Fiji spoke to the direct link between climate change and the WPS agenda making note that natural disaster affects women disproportionately in relation to men.

Many states references civil society initiatives and organizations. Most notably, Switzerland and Liechtenstein spoke to the importance of women’s civil society organizations, while directly calling the Council’s attention to our PeaceWomen’s newly published Women, Peace and Security Handbook. Later in the debate, Switzerland passed out the Handbook to each member of the Council. Both Switzerland and Liechtenstein also called attention to the NGOWG – MAP Report, encouraging all member states to incorporate both analyses within their geographical and thematic work.