WILPF, in support of our sisters in the Colombian section (Liga Internacional de Mujeres por la Paz y la Libertad (LIMPAL) Colombia), condemns the repressive and violent actions of the security forces in response to the National Strike that began on 28 April and continues to this day. On the ninth day of demonstrations against the tax reform proposal, following the repression by the State against the protesters and the militarisation of the streets, the NGO Temblores reported 1,728 cases of police violence, 234 victims of physical violence by the police, 37 victims of homicide allegedly perpetrated by the police, 934 arbitrary arrests against the protesters, 341 violent interventions by the security forces, 26 victims of eye injury, 98 cases of firearms being shot by the police and 11 victims of sexual violence by the security forces.
We categorically reject the use of weapons to repress peaceful demonstrations, the use of excessive and disproportionate force by the security forces, the silencing of grievances by civilians, sexual violence against women, the militarisation of the streets, the censorship of alternative media, the misrepresentation of information in the traditional media, the complete lack of accountability of the institutions and the homicidal violence by the State.
Read our statement in English and Spanish here.
Application Deadline: May 25th, 2021
The Women, Peace and Security Programme of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) is hiring for a remote fellow to start immediately (June 2021), for a 4-6 month term.
The fellow will work closely with WILPF staff on monitoring, research and communications support on Women, Peace and Security issues in New York. The fellow will monitor Security Council debates and UN events, research and draft policy analysis, and support programme communications (including email and social media).
This competitive fellowship is primarily aimed at individuals early in their careers who are interested in women, peace and security issues related to disarmament and women’s human rights. The experience offers an opportunity to research and write about women, peace and conflict issues and gain experience with a non-governmental organisation.
The fellowship requires a person with good communication skills, initiative, creativity, flexibility, a high level of organisation, an ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and commitment to WILPF’s mission, while maintaining WILPF’s high professional standards. The fellow will be expected to work four days a week. The fellow’s work will be guided by the Programme Manager and the fellowship will primarily be aligned with the working hours of New York (Eastern Time). This opportunity carries a stipend.
Qualifications
As a feminist, anti-militarist membership organisation, WILPF is dedicated to building a global movement in the pursuit of peace and the fulfilment of human rights. We welcome applications from people of colour, feminists from the Global South, LGBTQI+ people, individuals from conflict-affected and diaspora communities, and people with disabilities. We believe that experience comes in many different forms, and also encourage individuals who may not meet all of the listed qualifications to apply if they feel that they would be a good fit for the fellowship.
How to Apply
To be considered for the fellowship, applicants should submit the following in one single document:
Submission Instructions:
Due to the volume of applications, we request no phone calls please. We will reach out to short-listed candidates directly.
Help Democratise the UN Secretary-General: Take Action Today!
The United Nations recently announced the launch of a process to appoint a new Secretary-General (SG) for the term beginning in 2022.
This moment represents a crucial opportunity to raise our voices – not just to protest the betrayal of the promises contained in the UN Charter, but to show that there are solutions to the seemingly intractable problems that have been created.
COVID-19, a global crisis of historic proportions, has exposed the depths of the inequalities “between people and between nations” and the root causes of conflict identified by WILPF more than 100 years ago.
It is clear that the rhetoric commonly heard at the beginning of the pandemic – that we are “all in this together” – was, indeed, just that: rhetoric. Instead of building bridges, the pandemic has facilitated market opportunities for the privileged few to take advantage and for governments to roll back human rights, with a particularly violent impact on women.
For there to be redress, we need new leadership – and that new leadership can start with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
It has never been more clear that in order to build back differently, to change the foundations upon which our current patriarchal structures rest, we need radical change – and new, feminist leadership.
What’s wrong with the current process?
In a word: Everything.
Currently, the UN Secretary-General is appointed by the UN General Assembly upon recommendation from the Security Council, which comprises five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – and ten elected members. Any of the five permanent members, also known as the P5, can veto a nomination for the Secretary-General.
As a group of states that continue to prioritise profit at the expense of human lives, including through massive investments in militarisation and arms proliferation, the Security Council has continuously recommended leaders willing to act on behalf of their self-serving interests rather than on behalf of “we the people”.
The current appointment process is anti-democratic at best and, at worst, prevents progress towards a future of peace, justice, and security.
What’s wrong with the current Secretary-General?
The current Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has failed to deliver since his appointment in 2016. On his watch, the states that comprise the United Nations have repeatedly failed to uphold the principles of the UN Charter.
We have repeatedly seen his inaction in play: He failed to use the influence of his office to intervene in human rights abuses in Myanmar and stop the country’s descent into civil war following last year’s military coup. He failed to engage women in peace talks in Afghanistan. He failed to unite countries in a coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The list goes on.
He has spoken of the need for action, but it is deeds, not words, that will make a difference.
If Guterres does indeed retain his position, then he must prove that he is not just the leader the P5 of the UN Security Council wants and needs. He must be prepared to stand up to them so as to restore the UN as an organisation established to bring peace. We will not hold our breath!
If we are to truly build back differently, we must call for a new election process that ensures every Secretary-General acting on behalf of the people truly represents the people.
The actions of the Secretary-General affect us all. It is under the SG’s watch that the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda is implemented – or not. It is the SG who appoints the head of UN Women. It is the SG who has the power to take action – or not – when peace is under threat and lives are at risk.
And it is the SG who holds the ability to demand a different, better path forward, for the UN and for the world.
Join us: Demand change and a new, feminist leader
The world needs a feminist leader to guide us in a better, bolder direction. A leader who embodies and upholds feminist values and principles. Who is committed to the pursuit of equality, justice, and security for people and the planet. Who prioritises the collective well-being of all living things over power and profit. Who doesn’t only speak, but acts.
We can begin working towards feminist leadership by demanding that the current SG take action on key items within his mandate – actions that are in accordance with the role of the SG as laid out in the Charter. These include:
The list is long. Over the next few months WILPF will be consulting with partners and members and formalising demands of the next SG. In the interim, we are calling for a new appointment process that will ensure truly representative leadership.
What can you do?
Change is only possible when we collectively raise our voices.
We all have a role to play in demanding a new, democratic process for the appointment of the UN Secretary-General that will ensure the next SG is working for the people – not the UN Security Council.
You can join the movement to demand better – for the world, for all of us, and for future generations – by getting involved today.
You can :
Learn more
You can also learn more about the selection process and deepen your involvement through the following organisations:
The Finance Associate’s primary responsibility is reviewing the bookkeeping and accounts of the organization; this includes credit card, cash and PayPal payments and the processing of the monthly payroll.
The Finance Associate provides support for all financial and its related administrative matters; reviews the accounting and bookkeeping of the transactions of the organization; applying applicable standards, which includes analytical work and thorough review of financial records; responsible for payments as well as processing of the monthly payroll.
Accounting/Bookkeeping
Financial Management
Reporting/Budgeting/Grant coordination
Other
Reporting lines: Finance Manager
Duration: Indefinite contract with a 3-mont probation period
Activity rate: 100%
Based in: Geneva, Switzerland
Gross annual salary range: CHF 55’000 to CHF 65’000 (see note below)
Start date: as soon as possible
Note: WILPF is currently conducting an Human Resources assessment expected to be completed by the end of 2021, aiming to review the current design and structure of WILPF Secretariat’s positions, aligning it with a revision of the remuneration and compensation package. The outcomes of this assessment could therefore impact the specificities of this position.
How to apply:
Please submit your CV and cover letter to jobs@wilpf.org with “Application for Finance Associate” in the subject for consideration.
We will review applications and contact candidates for interviews on a rolling basis.