As one of the leading actors on Women, Peace and Security, Women’s International Peace Centre prioritises strengthening and re-igniting women’s leadership potential to build peace because women and girls bear the burden of armed conflict and war. The periods of transition from conflict to peace offer opportunities for women to participate in the rebuilding and reshaping of societies. However, to enable women maintain the momentum required in the different spaces of engagement, they require specialized skills and a support network. The 2019 5-day WIPC Leadership Institute focused on 20 vibrant women leaders from South Sudan, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) including refugee women leaders living in Uganda. These countries assented to the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and have developed National Action Plans for its implementation. Read More “Feminist Leadership Institute on Women Peace and Security; Africa Cohort.”
The Centre with support from African Women’s Development Fund
(AWDF) are implementing a 2yr project on
“Women Leading Change In Post
Conflict Governance” in South
Sudan focused on supporting advocacy for the implementation of the National
Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 for the inclusion of a significant number of women in
implementation of the peace agreement and in mediation processes. The project
also seeks to enable national monitoring and reporting on 1325 implementation
progress against the AU Continental Results Framework in an effort to advance
the women, peace and security agenda. Our mission to Juba, South Sudan on 15th
April introduced the project to the Ministry of Gender and targeted women’s
rights organisations working on UNSCR 1325 as well as gather key information on
the current status of women’s participation in post-conflict governance and
1325 NAP implementation.
Gender-responsive governance
reforms are intended to connect the numeric and the substantive representation
of women. Gender-responsive governance ensures that institutions respond more
effectively to women’s needs and priorities; enhance women’s wellbeing,
livelihoods and citizen-ship rights; and build government institutions that
require and produce more participation by women, and not only by women elites,
but also by grassroots women.
For millions of young people around the world, the onset of adolescence brings not only changes to their bodies but also new vulnerabilities to human rights abuses, particularly in the arenas of sexuality, marriage and childbearing.
Millions of girls are coerced into unwanted sex or marriage, putting them at risk of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, and dangerous childbirth. Yet too many adolescents face barriers to reproductive health information and care. Even those able to find accurate information about their health and rights may be unable to access the services needed to protect their health.
In session; Making reusable sanitary pads
In partnership with Akwenyutu People Living with HIV&AIDS (APHAS), we conducted a 2-day Girls Leadership camp reaching out to 128 girls helping them to recognize and avert risks and improve their reproductive health. The girls were trained in understanding their bodies, HIV&AIDS, stigma & discrimination, positive living, knowing/understanding their menstrual cycle, menstrual hygiene and making Re-usable sanitary pads.
School-based sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education is one of the most important and widespread ways to help adolescents to recognize and avert risks and improve their reproductive health. Schools are the primary institutions able to reach a majority of adolescents, while also having an impact at the community level. They have the infrastructure, the tools and the staff trained to teach. In many developing countries teachers assume an important role in the community, while also serving as role models to many adolescents. By providing reproductive health programmes early, schools encourage the formation of healthy sexual attitudes and practices.
Suzan Nkinzi, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer handing over materials to the senior lady (Ms. Iraut Rebecca) and the Head teacher (Mr. Edeu Richard)
Women’s International Peace Centre hosted a side event on 15th March 2019 on Gender Responsive Social Protection in conflict affected settings focused on feminist peace and social protection for women affected by conflict the margins of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) speaking to the priority theme: Social Protection Systems, Access to Public Services and Sustainable Infrastructure for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls.
Women leaders from Liberia, Nepal and Uganda shared research findings, lived experiences of women and lessons from programming in post-conflict settings to shed light on the needs and expectations of women and girls affected by conflict in relation to recovering from shocks, building resilience, accessing inclusive gender-responsive public services and true social protection.
The discussion focused on the findings of the study by The Centre/Tilburg, Makerere and Mbarara Universities on the Cost-Benefit of Social Protection Schemes such as cash transfer programmes and post trauma services for the empowerment of women in post-conflict Northern Uganda. The findings were reflected on using the realities in post-conflict, post- Liberia Ebola crisis with specific cases demonstrating the scale of trauma and its impact on the success of cash programmes for women (shared by My Voice My Safety/Ministry of Gender, Liberia) and the challenges of women’s rights and peace building in Nepal, in the absence of knowledge on the centrality of holistic trauma relief (by National Association of Women Human Rights Defenders (NAWHRD) Nepal) with closing reflections from Cordaid Women Peace and Security Advisor.
Panel on improving social protection outcomes for conflict-affected and grassroots women at the AU in New York
We also organized a joint event on improving social protection outcomes for conflict-affected and grassroots women with Femmes Africa Solidarite (FAS), Action Aid and the Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security hosted by the AU Permanent Mission to the UN on 15th March 2019.
In February, Women’s International Peace Centre as the Peace and Security thematic lead of the Gender is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) cohosted the 33rd GIMAC Consultative Meeting on Mainstreaming Gender Equality in African which took place on the 3rd to 4th February,2019 at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme: “Towards Gender Responsive Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement”. The theme was aligned with the African Union (AU) dedication of the year 2019 as the year for “Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement”.
This year’s theme sought to tackle the issue of forced displacement in Africa which is largely due to conflict, natural disasters, human rights violations or political instability that has resulted in over 12 million internally displaced persons and an estimated 6.2 million refugees and asylum seekers across the continent. Women and girls who are forcibly displaced by conflict, natural disasters, economic reasons or other causes, face specific threats and diverse forms of gender-based discrimination, violence and human rights violations. Their access to legal protection, safety, gender-responsive assistance, a life of dignity and respect for their rights is often further undermined by factors such as age, disability, previous marginalized social position among others.
#GIMAC33 Press Conference
The panel discussions tackled Governance, Peace and Security; Early Warning and Early Response for Prevention of Crises and Forced Displacement, Integration and Return of Refugees and IDPs: registration and documentation processes, discriminatory laws, and inclusion in national development frameworks, Gender-responsive Humanitarian Response: addressing human security needs of IDPs and refugees including physical, psychosocial, legal, health etc, Displaced Women’s Contributions to Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement and Seeking Accountability for Non-implementation of Policy Commitments, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Education in emergency situations, Accountability for Implementation of Policy Commitments and the Solemn Declaration Index Monitoring Report.
Our partners from Mouvement des Femmes et des Filles pour la Paix et la Sécurité (MFFPS) (Photo Credit GIMAC)
The 33rd GIMAC brought together over 250 delegates from over 30 countries, including representatives of Diplomatic Missions, African Union and United Nations officials, leading Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on Gender in Africa and other interested groups in advancing women’s rights in Africa.
Drawing from the two-day discussions, participants recommended an increase in public investment in provisioning of gender-responsive services in IDP settlements, Invest in education technology to refugees, IDPs and returnee children, introduce Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Conflicts, engage men as partners in the fight against SGBV and GBV and also encourage judicial institutions to establish mechanisms that will eliminate and fast track sexual and gender-based violence cases especially the inclusion of forensic technology and post-incident trauma care.
The 34th GIMAC will take place from 29th to 30th June in Niamey, Niger under the theme “1st GIMAC Strategic Engagement with AU, RECs and Partners on the AU Summit Theme of the Year.”
On the margins of the 33rd Pre-summit Consultative Meeting on Gender Mainstreaming in the African Union, The Women’s International Peace Centre held a Regional Exchange from 31st January to 1st February 2019 at Azzeman Hotel, Addis Ababa. The Regional Exchange brought together 35 women peace builders from Burundi, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda sharing information on women’s experiences of conflict/post conflict, promoting women’s rights and capacities and attempts to claim spaces to influence the peace processes. The women reflected on their role in peace building and conflict resolution in each country and at regional level, define a common vision for peace as women of the region and identified, shared priorities and approaches to strengthen the role of women in peace building and conflict resolution, nationally and at regional level.
As we approach the 20th anniversary of resolution 1325 in 2020, documented evidence demonstrates that though peace is more long-lasting as a result of women’s meaningful participation in peace, security and humanitarian processes, that value does not consistently translate into women’s inclusion or participation in peace negotiations and implementation mechanisms. Isis-WICCE/The Centre under its new strategic plan has renewed its commitment to facilitate platforms for women to claim space and participate in national and regional peace processes with impact.
At regional level, the Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security has created a continental results framework for monitoring and reporting on the WPS in Africa and the African Union has designated 2019 as the year to work towards durable solutions to forced displacement in Africa, many of which are caused by conflict; this was a critical moment to further reflect on progress in advancing the women, peace and security agenda.
Agenda 2063 presents the vision of the African Union, to build an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in international arena. Aspiration 4 reflects the goal of a peaceful and secure Africa. This is mirrored by the AU’s decision to Silence the Guns by 2020 and in declaring 2010-2020 the African Women’s Decade. 2019 marks nine years into both and provides an opportunity for reflection on the needs, concerns and agency of women on the continent along with efforts to address and amplify the same in line with peace building.
18 years since the
adoption of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, implementation of the
Women, Peace and Security Agenda continues to falter. Despite eight resolutions
on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and a strong evidence base for action, women
continue to be side-lined. The numbers of women and young women engaging at the
highest levels of peace decision-making in their countries and in regional intergovernmental
processes continue to fall short; women, young women, and girls face
gender-related barriers as well as other obstacles such as (dis)ability,
ethnic, and sexual orientation, preventing their meaningful participation in
community level peace and security processes; funding for women’s organizations
remains dismal while funding for militarized security continues to increase.
2020 marks the 20th
Anniversary of UNSCR 1325, providing an important milestone to mobilize around
and demand accelerated action on the WPS agenda. In preparation for the 20th
anniversary of UNSCR 1325 in 2020, members from the coalition NGO Working Group
on Women, Peace and Security facilitated a forum during the October WPS Week
that brought together global feminist peace leaders to start the conversation
on how we can catalyze on moments ahead of the 2020 anniversary to ensure
holistic implementation of the WPS Agenda moving forward
The forum aimed to create the space for women from across the world to network
and share learning and experiences; identify key tensions and lessons
learned in navigating the challenges of implementing the women, peace and
security agenda; and identify key mobilizing
opportunities for 2019 and 2020, around which
to build collaborations
The annual United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate on
Women, Peace and Security reviewed the Secretary-General’s most recent report on Women, Peace and Security, and focused on “Promoting the
Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and Sustaining Peace
through Women’s Political and Economic Empowerment” organized by the Plurinational
State of Bolivia. This debate was an opportunity for representatives of Member
States, Observer States and regional organisations to assess their progress in
implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda as well as make new
commitments towards advancing WPS at local, national and regional levels.
In his intervention, the Secretary-General focused on the
importance of securing funding for women’s organisations and expertise, as well
as supporting women’s participation in peacebuilding at the local level. Civil
society speaker Randa Siniora Atallah, the first Palestinian woman to address
the UNSC in official public proceedings, Shared the experiences of women in the
Israeli occupation. The most prominent themes of the discussion included the
barriers that structural inequality poses to women, the effects of the lack of
resources on women’s meaningful participation, and the importance of civil
society in future implementation.
Many representatives used their statements to address structural
inequalities as an important theme to overcoming obstacles to women’s
meaningful participation and how they are linked. The representative of Bolivia
highlighted masculinities and patriarchal society as barriers to combating
violence and ensuring women’s participation. The representative of Albania
highlighted that masculinity was rooted in power. However, the discussion of
such inequalities went beyond tangible barriers; for example, the
representative of the International Organization of La Francophonie questioned
the usefulness of discussing empowerment altogether, suggesting that the
concept of women’s empowerment implied a stereotype that women required
capacity-building to perform duties, a question which was not mentioned when
discussing men’s capacity in peacebuilding. Therefore, the speakers agreed that
it is critical to dismantle stereotypes.
Given the increase in civil society speakers that were invited
to brief in the UNSC in the past three years, 6 (7%) of the 81 representatives
praised this inclusion as progress for women’s meaningful participation. In
particular, the representatives of Israel, Mexico, the Netherlands and the
United States highlighted the importance of increasing the number of civil
society speakers in future UNSC briefings.
Overall, the four pillars of the WPS Agenda, namely
participation, prevention, protection and relief & recovery, were generally
referenced by representatives. The theme of participation was addressed by 76
(94%) of the 81 representatives, primarily through general affirmations of the
importance of women’s participation as a necessary step to accessing economic
resources. Prevention and Relief & Recovery were both referenced frequently
by Member States, by 55 (68%) and 53 (65%) representatives, respectively. These
references were in the context of women’s participation as critical to ensuring
peace in pre- and post-conflict societies. Protection was referenced by 48
(59%) Member States, largely within the capacity of providing protection
services to women in relation to SGBV.
Being a woman, itself often confronts you with a long and difficult process of emancipation and empowerment. Women and girls living with HIV and AIDS are not only facing the feminist process but are moreover victims of stigma and exclusion, especially in rural areas.
The programme “Livelihood Enhancement for social transformation for women living with HIV&AIDS in Orungo Sub County, Amuria District” was designed to strengthen the livelihood capacity of women living with HIV&AIDS in Orungo Sub-County, Amuria district in Uganda, with special emphasis on the members of Akwenyutu People Living with HIV&AIDS (APHAS). The project has been in effect since in October 2015–June 2018 with the overall objective of the intervention to increase access to sustainable livelihood opportunities for women living with HIV&AIDS. In 2016, Uganda experienced a prolonged drought resulting into poor harvests and famine. Families had nothing to feed on, had to depend on handouts and became destitute. For people living with HIV/AIDS, lack of adequate food was a challenge in the uptake of medication.
The APHAS leadership was responsible
for reaching out to the identified households and ensuring that they reach the
food distribution venue on the 24th of August 2017. Ever since, APHAS has
organized awareness raising sessions through music, dance and drama to over 3000
women and men in different communities. Isis-WICCE has engaged in enterprise
development, entrepreneurship training and providing agricultural inputs that
included seeds and tools to APHAS members
In partnership with APHAS, Isis-WICCE also organized a Girls’ Leadership Camp at Orungo PrimarySchool under the theme ‘My Body My Power’ from 2nd to 3rd June 2018. The girls’ leadership camp was attended by fifty (50) school girls aged between 9 – 12years from five primary schools; Orungo Primary School, Moruinera Primary School, Ocakai Primary School, Ococia Primary School, and Otubet Primary School. The girls were skilled in leadership, understanding their bodies, discovering their dreams and setting goals.
This year’s Feminist
Leadership Institute under the theme “Socio-cultural
transformation through the transformative leadership” kicked off with 15 Deputy
Chair of the all 13 districts of province 3 and Women Human Rights Defenders in
Nepal. This was an opportunity to embed a feminist approach to
bring social and cultural transformation, clarify transformatory leadership, enhance the knowledge of bodily
integrity, value women work, and identity, develop an understanding on causes
and consequences of violence against women from women’s perspective and build agency for Socio cultural transformation.
Our partner, National
Alliance of the Women Human Rights Defenders (NAWHRD) recently organized the
Feminist Forum in the all 7 provinces of Nepal with the theme “Women’s
bodily integrity, labor and identity is a pre requisite of Federal Republic
democratic Nepal”. This forum has acted as a common ground where the local level women representatives, women human right defenders, social activists,
politicians, journalists and other stakeholders come together to discuss plan
and strategize to create enabling environment to ensure women’s rights for the
five years tenure at local bodies.
The forum enabled women leaders to understand
their role to create enabling environment for every single woman in the country
to enjoy their right to bodily integrity, work and identity curbed by the
century long patriarchal socialization process.
In all these forums, the major difficulty shared by women elected was
not receiving proper cooperation from Mayors on their work. It was realized
that a lot of women elected are not clear on their role and are having
difficulty to assert their rights that are ensured by the constitution. In this
regard, NAWHRD, in partnership with Isis-WICCE is working together to provide
support to strengthen leadership position of these women elected.
