Category Archives: d-women

English bulletin April 1, 2021

. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY . .

This year’s celebration of the International Women’s Day was especially strong in Latin America with millions marching in Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay.

In Mexico, it was the biggest March 8 protest in the country’s history. On March 9,  many women walked off the job for “A Day Without a Woman.” The primary motor for the protest was the indignation with femicides, which are all too common in Mexico. In 2019 alone, about 10 women were killed every day and thousands more have gone missing. 

In Argentina, where marchers demanded abortion rights, a new law to legalize abortion is in process.

Marking International Women’s Day across Europe and Asia, women shouted their demands for equality, respect and empowerment, with protesters in Spain launching a 24-hour strike and crowds of demonstrators filling the streets of Manila, Seoul and New Delhi.

In Australia, tens of thousands of women gathered outside the parliament and across the country calling for gender equality and justice for victims of sexual assault. The rallies were spurred by a recent wave of allegations of sexual abuse, discrimination and misconduct in some of Australia’s highest political offices.

The United Nations theme this year was “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world,” to celebrate the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to highlight the gaps that remain. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said “During the pandemic, we have seen increased violence against women and girls and lost learning for girls as school drop-out rates, care responsibilities and child marriages rise. We are seeing tens of millions more women plunge into extreme poverty,”

Mlambo-Ngcuka added, “There are breakthroughs to celebrate, where women have taken the helm of organizations such as the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank and we look forward to more such appointments that help to change the picture of what a leader looks like. Yet this is not the norm. In 2020, as a global average, women were 4.4 per cent of CEOs, occupied just 16.9 per cent of board seats, made up only 25 per cent of national parliamentarians, and just 13 per cent of peace negotiators. Only 22 countries currently have a woman as Head of State or Government.”

Women continue to take the lead in the struggle for peace and justice around the world.

In Belarus, women are at the forefront of the human rights struggle.

In Syria, women are seen as key to the struggle against violent extremism.

In Palestine, their leadership can be traced since the the first Arab Women’s Congress of Palestine in 1929.

The project “Weaving Alliances for Gender Equality” prepared by the Coordinator of NGOs in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, highlights examples of women’s leadership for peace and justice in Guatemala, Haiti, Colombia, Bolivia and the Mahgreb.

In Africa, Adja Kadije is highlighted for her work as a peace mediator in the Central African Republic and Quitéria Guirengane for her work as an organizer of women. She is based in Mozambique but her work extends to all of Africa.

Participants from 45 African countries took part in the formulation of the Africa Young Women’s Manifesto, marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The manifesto is reprinted by CPNN with its extensive demands for Generation Equality Forums.

Although the marches and demonstrations remain vital for the movement, there is also an increasing role for virtual meetings. The Africa Young Women’s Manifesto was formulated in a series of virtual meetings in five regions on the continent that were followed by CPNN. To celebrate March 8, CPNN readers could take part in virtual meetings held by the Pan American Health Organization, the International Labor Organization, UNFOLD ZERO, Youth Fusion and Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament. And in the weeks that followed there were four more virtual meetings for the 65th Commission on the Status of Women and six others about women’s equality and leadership.

WOMEN’S EQUALITY



International Women’s Day 2021

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION



Financial Press Fears Brazilians Will Be Allowed to Elect President of Their Choice

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT



In Central Africa, Villages Join an Experiment To Save the World’s Second-Largest Rainforest

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION



The Rotary Club of Pétion-Ville : promoting the culture of peace in Haiti

In addition to articles, we list virtual events for the culture of peace: Click here for upcoming events. Last month we registered 35 virtual events.

  

HUMAN RIGHTS




Belarus: Women at the forefront of human rights struggle

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY



Civil society in northeast Syria promotes women’s role to fight extremism

TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY


Danny Glover on Amazon Union Drive in USA, the Power of Organized Labor & Centuries of Resistance in Haiti

EDUCATION FOR PEACE



Mexico: Second Edition of the International Festival of Cinema for the Culture of Peace

Gender equality in education, Is it advancing?

Here are the CPNN articles on this subject:

Mexico: Curricular Strategy on Gender Equality to be implemented in public schools

Education for girls projects in Jamaica and Egypt win UNESCO prize

Canada and partners announce historic investment in education for women and girls in crisis and conflict situations

Day of the Girl Child — Writings by Afghan women

In education, girls deserve what works

Launch of World Atlas of Gender Equality in Education

What role should men play to stop violence against women?

Here are CPNN articles pertaining to this question:

The Nobel Prize for Peace 2018

Dominican Republic, San Francisco de Macorís: Men’s march to combat violence against women

Creating a new normal, students across Bangladesh say no more sexual harassment

PORTRAIT: Dr. Denis Mukwege, the man who repairs women in eastern DRC

UN ‘barbershop’ conference aims to dispel stereotypes, promote gender equality

Statement of V-Men Congo at the Launch of their Movement In Bukavu

Declaration des V-Men Congo à l’occasion du lancement de leur Mouvement à Bukavu

Mobilizing Men for Violence Prevention International Survey

Women and Men Fight Domestic Violence Together

A New Dad Asks, How Do I Raise a Kind Son?

Can the women of Africa lead the continent to peace?

Judging by the many articles below, from Angola, Sudan, Nigeria, Mali, Tanzania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Cameroon, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, etc. the answer would seem to be positive !

Here are CPNN articles pertaining to this question:

Female resilience in traditional African oral literature (Sociotexte journal)

Conflict resolution and peacebuilding: The Union of Women of Cultural Communities for Peace in Mali (UFCPM) equips its members

ECOWAS enhances the capacity of its Regional Women, Peace And Security Steering Group

Angola Debates The Women’s Role In Building Peace And Democracy

Women must play a larger role in peace building and resolving conflicts –African Development Bank chief

Nigeria: IWD2023 Group Supports Women In Peace Building

UN Security Council: ‘Radical change of direction’ needed in women, peace and security agenda

Gabon Candidate for International Peace Ambassador

Conakry: former deputies launch a new coalition for peace, rights and development, COFEPAD-Guinea

Cameroon: Peace action: tribute to Mirabelle Lingom and Confort Tamasang

Fatima Al-Ansar Describes Her Vision While Launching a “Urgent Appeal” to All Malian Organizations Working in the Field of Conflict Resolution, Mediation and the Prevention of Violent Extremism to “Unite Their Efforts”

African Union: Interview with Special Envoy for Women Peace & Security

A reflection contributions by African women to peace and security agenda in the continent

Women from several African countries trained in the culture of peace

Mentoring: around fifty women at the WANEP-GUINEA school

Nigeria: Osun, Kaduna First Ladies emerge leaders of governors’ wives forum

African women propose a 10-year plan for gender equality in Africa at the Generation Equality Forum in Paris

Think African Podcast Episode 1: Planting Seeds

Senegal: “Ethnic remarks”: the Platform of Women for Peace in Casamance calls for “serenity”

In Malawi, Chief Theresa Kachindamoto Fights against Child Marriage

The Africa Young Women’s Manifesto

Africa Beijing+25 Youth Baraza: Fem-Foster, Enable, Mobilize

Mairo Al-Makura African First Ladies Peace Mission is Serious Business

Côte d’Ivoire. Association and community leaders make their contribution to peace

Diffa, Niger: Launch of an awareness campaign to strengthen the participation of women and young people in intercommunity dialogue

International Alert Programme on Women, Peace and Security in Nigeria

Angola promotes the role of African women in government

Emerging Feminist Leaders Are Claiming Their Space: Follow Us to Liberia!

UN Women’s Org. hosts North Darfur peacebuilding workshop

Sierra Leone News: Women’s Movement reinforces

Women in school to promote a sustainable peace in Cameroon

Panafrican Women’s Network for Culture of Peace and Sustainable Development

16 Days of Activism 2017: Meet Mariama Sonko, Senegal

16 Days of Activism 2017: Meet Ketty Nivyabandi, Burundi

Agents of Peace: Hakamat Women in North Darfur Promote Peaceful Coexistence in the State

Kenya’s pastoralists look beyond patriarchy to property rights for women

Togo: Les groupements de femmes de la region des Plateaux sensibilisees sur la cohesion sociale et la culture de la paix à Atakpamé

Togo: Women’s groups in the Plateaux region sensitized on social cohesion and the culture of peace in Atakpamé

The Senegalese feminist Bineta Diop: United against war in Africa

La féministe Sénégalaise Bineta Diop: Unies contre la guerre en Afrique

African women organize to reclaim agriculture against corporate takeover

African Women’s Journal: African Women in Power/Politics

Esther Abimiku Ibanga, Founder and president of The Women Without Walls Initiative to receive the Niwano Peace Prize

Meet Carine Novi Safari, Democratic Republic of Congo

Towards the creation of a network of women for a culture of peace in Africa

Nobel Women wrap up delegation to eastern Congo

Samba-Panza’s election represents a bright future for African women in politics

Announcing: Women of Congo Speak Out!

International Women´s Day: Interview With Leymah Gbowee (Liberia)

Meet the Tanzanian Woman Who Said No to a Forced Marriage

The Women of Mali Engage for Peace

Les Femmes de Mali S’engagent pour la Paix

Women take ownership of Great Lakes peace efforts

South Sudanese women take the lead in local peace building

UN Resolution 1325, does it make a difference?

A study in 2012 by the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security criticizes the UN Security Council for its inconsistent implement of Resolution 1325 that calls for an increased role of women in peacekeeping and peacebuilding. The full report is available on the Internet on the website of womenpeacesecurity.org.

The working group members are an impressive group of active international NGOs: Amnesty International; Consortium on Gender, Security and Human Rights; Femmes Africa Solidarité; Global Action to Prevent War; Global Justice Center; Human Rights Watch; The Institute for Inclusive Security; International Action Network on Small Arms; International Alert; International Rescue Committee; Refugees International; International Women’s Program of the Open Society Foundations; Social Science Research Council; Women’s Refugee Commission; Women’s Action for New Directions; Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.

Here is the report’s Summary of Findings

General trends in the Council over the last 12 years have shown significant development, including in the language and expertise on women, peace and security in resolutions, more expertise available to deploy in terms of gender advisors and women, peace and security, and a more sophisticated understanding of the key issues at the root of this agenda. There is a better understanding of, for example, what it takes to have disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration processes that are responsive to women; security sector reform that is responsive to women; and post-conflict elections that support women candidates and women voter. However, there is inconsistency in the Council’s deployment of that knowledge. There is still a significant disconnect between the content of reports received by the Council, meetings the Council holds, and resolutions it adopts.

There have been a number of positive developments in the Council’s use of women, peace and security-specific language in its policy over the last year. For the first time, for example, the Council used women, peace and security language in its resolution on Cyprus. However, there have also been inconsistencies. The Council’s initial lack of support for women in September 2011’s resolution on Libya was rectified by strong support in its March 2012 renewal. In contrast, initially strong support for women’s role in the Council’s initial resolution 2014 (2011) on Yemen was significantly weakened in its subsequent 2051 (2012) resolution on the country. This all points to the inconsistency with which the Council addresses these issues.

And not all resolutions note nor recognize the existence of the Council’s commitment to women, peace and security. Although there is relatively standard language that can be found in the preambular paragraphs of many country-specific resolutions noting resolution 1325 and subsequent resolutions, some – including those in which women’s participation in peace processes would seem to be of particular importance, like Israel / Palestine – have no mention whatsoever.

As to content, the Council still struggles with how to operationalize particular aspects of the women, peace and security agenda. There remains, particularly in immediate crisis situations, more emphasis on women’s protection issues, including sexual violence, than on ensuring support for women’s roles in ending those conflicts.

Country reports

An ongoing ngowg recommendation is: “In its regular work, the Council should ensure that all country reports and mandate renewals evaluate the level of protection and promotion of women’s human rights, as per Security Council resolutions 1325, 1820 (op 9), 1888 (op 11), 1889 (op 5) and 1960 (op 6, 13). Member States should inquire about any lack of such reporting.” Regrettably, this recommendation is still necessary.

Reports are inconsistent in their fulfillment of these obligations: of 82 country situation reports analyzed by the ngowg, 52, or 63%, address women, peace and security. Reports are often absent information, let alone assessments or recommendations, regarding women’s roles in peace processes or conflict transformation, judicial and security sector reform, or disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programs.

There are good practice examples, however. The reports from Timor Leste consistently include not only a broad spectrum of gender-disaggregated data, but reflected a concerted effort by the mission to provide support to a wide range of women, peace and security issues, and include integrated women, peace and security recommendations. dpko consistently collects gender disaggregated data on mission staff, while unfortunately not consistently providing such data on other relevant institutions, nor recommendations on redressing inequalities. Sanctions reports are also consistent in including information on relevant crimes of sexual violence, but only when mandates include this criteria.

Council meetings

The Council’s meetings are notable for their inconsistent discussion of women, peace and security issues. Of the 97 relevant debates or briefings, 52 meetings, or 54%, contained reference to women, peace and security issues. This is clearly an opportunity for Council members to highlight and discuss immediate concerns for women in conflict areas. This is of particular importance in crisis situations such as Mali and Syria, in which rapidly evolving situations on the ground require women, peace and security attention.

One area in which there seems to be better understanding of women, peace and security matters is on thematic matters, particularly in the Protection of Civilians agenda. In the 9 November 2011 open debate on this issue, for example, multiple speakers referenced women, peace and security concerns.

It is important to note that the Council holds a significant number of closed meetings, in which they receive briefings and discuss matters of key concern to women, peace and security. As there is no record of the content of these meetings and no access for civil society to these meetings, there is no way to determine whether these issues are raised.

Council action

The Council’s output, primarily in the form of its presidential statements and resolutions, are also still inconsistent in their addressing of women peace and security matters. The Council’s record on presidential statements is perhaps most startling. Of the 15 presidential statements on country situations, only 3, or 20% addressed women, peace and security issues. This is particularly notable given that presidential statements are often a means for the Council to respond rapidly to emerging crisis situations, situations in which women are most immediately at risk and simultaneously find it most difficult to make their voices heard.

30 out of 48, or 63%, of the relevant resolutions adopted by the Security Council during the reporting period referenced the women, peace and security agenda. In a positive development, Council members are increasingly including references to civil society in mandates for peacekeeping and special political missions. This support can be particularly important to women’s civil society in situations of conflict, where resourcing and capacity is difficult. Examples of this language for the period under review included Afghanistan, Cyprus, Libya, South Sudan, and drc. There are also examples of key areas of the Council’s core work in which there is good practice on women, peace and security, including support for elections, such as in the mandate for the mission in Timor-Leste and in the mandate renewal for the mission in Libya. There are examples as well for the Council’s language on justice and security sector reform, such as in the resolution on Burundi, which calls for training for security sector actors.

Unfortunately, these examples are not representative. One of the key areas of the Council’s work, and an area in which there has been development women, peace and security work, including in dpko, is in the gender components of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programs (ddr). However, there appears to have been a decrease in the Council’s willingness to support women’s engagement in these programs, despite the evidence of the necessity of such engagement. This is a shift from previous years, when the Council supported this work, such as in resolution 1858 (2008) on Burundi and 1739 (2007) on Cote d’Ivoire.

This question pertains to the following articles

Secretary-General Tells Security Council Open Debate ‘Standing with Women Is Good for the World’, Stresses Patriarchy ‘a Massive Obstacle’ to Culture of Peace

UN Security Council: ‘Radical change of direction’ needed in women, peace and security agenda

International Alert Programme on Women, Peace and Security in Nigeria

Women must be at ‘centre of peacekeeping decision-making’, UN chief tells Security Council

Jordanian National Action Plan for the Implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security 2018 – 2021

Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network meets in Berlin to promote women’s role in peace processes

Libyan activists design a peace campaign

As the UN Celebrates Empowerment of Women, a New Survey Shows Major Frustrations

At the UN: Women, Peace and Security Agenda Still Hitting Glass Ceiling

Security Council resolution 2122: women’s empowerment

In India, special trainings and all-women peacekeeper units tackle sexual violence

Why UN Peacekeeping Falls Far Short of Female Soldiers

Casamance (Senegal) : The UN Resolution on Women, Peace and Security should be taught in school

Casamance (Senegal) : Plaidoyer pour l’introduction à l’ école de la résolution de l’Onu sur les femmes, la paix et la sécurité

Le rôle des femmes dans la paix et la sécurité

Women’s Role in Peace and Security

El papel de las mujeres en la paz y la seguridad

New Film for the United Nations on Women, Peace and Security

The Implementation of UNSCR 1325 through Enhanced Responsiveness of the Security Sector

West African Women Leaders Train in Peacebuilding and Mediation

Does the UN advance equality for women?




A resume of actions for women’s equality by the UN was made for the March 2017 meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women by Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

This discussion question applies to the following articles:

Secretary-General Tells Security Council Open Debate ‘Standing with Women Is Good for the World’, Stresses Patriarchy ‘a Massive Obstacle’ to Culture of Peace

United Nations: CSW67 Opening statement: Digital rights are women’s rights

UN Security Council: ‘Radical change of direction’ needed in women, peace and security agenda

Call for Applications: Strengthening Young Women Peacebuilders’ Capacity in Complex Crises

One year driving action for gender equality. One year of Generation Equality

UN Women: International Women’s Day celebrates the contribution of women and girls as climate solution multipliers

United Nations : Commission on the Status of Women 2022

United Nations : UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women

United Nations: Landmark gender equality forum concludes with concrete commitments, plan to advance parity by 2026

Women must no longer be ‘squeezed into a small corner’, landmark Forum declares

United Nations Committee on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Holds General Discussion on Rights of Indigenous Women

Generation Equality Forum: Mexico City, 29-31 March 2021

Statement by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women Executive Director, on International Women’s Day 2021

International Women’s Day 2021

‘Women and girls belong in science’ declares UN chief

I am Generation Equality: Ixchel Lucas, youth advocate for girls’ leadership

International Women’s Day 2020

Devoted to discovery: seven women scientists who have shaped our world

UNWomen: In lead up to Generation Equality Forum, Action Coalition themes announced

The world went orange: Putting a spotlight on ending violence against women

UNCSW63’s positive outcomes for women’s human rights to social protection systems, quality public services, including education, and sustainable infrastructure

Bonita, a young change-maker inspires girls and women in Nepal through education

Executive Director remarks at the UN Security Council open debate on women, peace and security

An unprecedented upsurge of movements for women’s rights: UN Women annual report 2017-2018

What Is CSW and Why Are We in New York to Be Part of It?

UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW62)

Africa: UN deputy chief says ‘messages of women’ vital to sustainable peace, development

UN: New films on Global Goals spotlight women’s journeys of resilience

UN report lays out concrete actions for accelerating progress towards women’s full and equal economic participation

Opening statement by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women for the 61st session of the Commission on the Status of Women

CSW at UN: Supporting People’s Actions to Empower Women at the Margins

UN Commission on the Status of Women – 2017

USA: University of Wisconsin receives UN chair for global work on gender, well-being and peace

Education International and other Global Union Federation delegations begin their work at the 60th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

UN Commission on the Status of Women revamps working methods

U.N. Says Maternal Mortality Rate Has Nearly Halved since 1990

Gobiernos respaldan nuevas funciones para la Comisión de la Mujer

Les gouvernements approuvent de nouveaux rôles pour la Commission de la condition de la femme

UN Commission on Status of Women: Implementing the Beijing Platform for Action

Comisión de la Condición Jurídica y Social de la Mujer: Implementación de la Plataforma de Acción de Beijing

Commission de la condition de la femme: Application du Programme d'Action de Beijing

Investing in women peacebuilders is best value for money

Advancing Women at the United Nations

For discussion prior to 2015, click here.

Prospects for progress in women’s equality, what are the short and long term prospects?

Women’s equality is essential to the culture of peace; When we sent the draft Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace from UNESCO to the UN General Assembly in 1998, we made it clear that the linkage is essential between women’s equality, development and peace: “Only this can replace the historical inequality between men and women that has always characterized the culture of war and violence.” In fact, at the dawn of humanity the monopolization of war and violence by men led to the historical exclusion of women from political and economic power (see my study Why There Are So Few Women Warriors for a scientific explanation). In order to achieve a culture of peace, the inequality must be reversed

This discussion question applies to the following articles:

International Women’s Day: The Americas

International Women’s Day: Africa and Middle East

International Women’s Day: Asia/Pacific

International Women’s Day: Europe

International Women’s Day 2024: ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress’

Sri Lanka adopts first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security

New report of Inter-Parliamentary Union shows that women MPs have never been so diverse

How the Islamic Revolution Gave Rise to a Massive Women’s Movement in Iran

Kazakhstan: Congress of World and Traditional Religious Leaders to Address Social Status of Women

Mexico: First “Festival of the Heroines of Independence”

Gabon: Women’s Commitment to Health and Sanitation in the Province Woleu-Ntem

Chile – Interview with Alondra Carrillo: “The feminist transformation of the State is unavoidable, it is a fact”

United Nations: Landmark gender equality forum concludes with concrete commitments, plan to advance parity by 2026

Women must no longer be ‘squeezed into a small corner’, landmark Forum declares

United Nations Committee on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Holds General Discussion on Rights of Indigenous Women

Generation Equality Forum: Mexico City, 29-31 March 2021

Black-clad women rally in Australia to demand gender violence justice

Spain: First-person testimonies: this is how we fight for gender equality by activism and participation

Over a Million Mobilize for International Women’s Day in Latin America

International Women’s Day : Images from Europe and Asia

Statement by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women Executive Director, on International Women’s Day 2021

International Women’s Day 2021

‘Women and girls belong in science’ declares UN chief

Sinaloa, Mexico: III International Congress on women and the culture of peace

I am Generation Equality: Ixchel Lucas, youth advocate for girls’ leadership

Chile changing: transgender student leader lends voice to renewed protests

A crucial moment for women’s rights in Afghanistan

Thousands of women march in Chile again

International Women’s Day 2020

Devoted to discovery: seven women scientists who have shaped our world

UNWomen: In lead up to Generation Equality Forum, Action Coalition themes announced

Meet the Trailblazing Maasai Women Protecting Amboseli’s Wildlife

UNCSW63’s positive outcomes for women’s human rights to social protection systems, quality public services, including education, and sustainable infrastructure

Photos: International Women’s Day marked by strikes, protests and celebrations

Work-related gender gaps persist but solutions are clear – new ILO report

India Forms World’s Largest Women’s Wall for Gender Equality

Women in Iceland have walked out of work to dispute the gender pay gap

Adobe boasts gender equality in terms of salary across 40 countries

Executive Director remarks at the UN Security Council open debate on women, peace and security

Schoolgirls become world leaders for the day in equal rights campaign

Historic leap in Tunisia: Women make up 47 per cent of local government

UN Commission on the Status of Women: Participant Voices

Iceland will Be First to Require Proof of Equal Pay

Tunisia moves closer to achieving gender equality in politics

Eight ways 2015 was a momentous year for girls

UN Asia-Pacific forum opens meeting to advance gender equality

Indian women rally to back demand for more seats in parliament

Equality between Women and Men in Audiovisual Media: Call for a project and publication of a manual

Égalité hommes-femmes dans les médias audiovisuels: appel a projet et publication d'un vade mecum

Bhutan’s first woman Gup leads the way for a new generation of women leaders

El progreso de las mujeres en el mundo: En busca de la justicia

Progrès des Femmes dans le Monde: en Quête de Justice

Progress of the World’s Women: In Pursuit of Justice

Cine: Una metáfora del amor

Film: A metaphor for love

Empowerment of Women Lauded

Cuba's Achievements in the Area of Gender Acknowledged

Workshop “Women & Work: Improve Your Skills”

Women vote in Kuwait for the first time

Did You Celebrate Women's Equality Day, August 26?

Click here for earlier discussion.

Do women have a special role to play in the peace movement?


The original draft of the UN Culture of Peace resolution addressed the linkage between women’s equality and the culture of peace:

“As recognized by the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing 1995), there is an inextricable linkage of peace with equality between women and men. Only this linkage of equality, development and peace can replace the historical inequality between men and women that has always characterized the culture of war and violence. As pointed out at the Conference, it is necessary to promote women’s political and economic empowerment and equal representation at every level of decision-making so that women’s experience, talents, visions and potential can make their full contribution to a culture of peace.

CPNN has carried many articles on the special role of women in the peace movement. Articles since 2015 include:

International Women’s Day: Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom

Proposal to the UN Summit of the Future from the International Alliance of Women

The women leading the fight for peace in Palestine: Women in Black

Graça Machel: Enhancing women’s participation in peacebuilding is key to building a peaceful world

Women peace-makers call for a holistic and sustainable peace

Int’l Peace and Humanity Conference commences in Amman

Women’s Peace Leadership Programme: Bojana Mumin, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Morocco: Launch from Essaouira of the Women’s World Forum for Peace

Vatican: Women raise their voices for peace

World Radio Day: Celebrating radio as a tool for feminist peace

Russian mothers oppose the war

Women from Chile and Bolivia meet in La Paz to build a “neighbor friendship

The Search for the Exceptional Women of Peace Award: A Reflection

Call for Applications: Strengthening Young Women Peacebuilders’ Capacity in Complex Crises

UN Women : Five young women on the forefront of climate action across Europe and Central Asia

Phyllis Kotite has passed away

Mexico: Women who weave communities of peace in Chihuahua

Mexico City successfully holds the World Forum of Cities and Territories of Peace

Israeli and Arab women demand peace between Israelis and Palestinians

Breizh, France: Women of Peace

Belarus: Women at the forefront of human rights struggle

Spain: First-person testimonies: this is how we fight for gender equality by activism and participation

Civil society in northeast Syria promotes women’s role to fight extremism

Women’s leadership in the struggle for Palestinian freedom

Female victims and ex-combatants graduated as peace activists in Antioquia, Colombia

Mexico: SSPC meets with 217 Networks of Women Peacebuilders

Sinaloa, Mexico: III International Congress on women and the culture of peace

The International Network of Latin American and Caribbean Women is inaugurated

United Nations: ‘Women Rise for All’ to shape leadership in pandemic response and recovery

Philippines: Women’s leadership in the time of pandemic

Webinar and Video: Young Women Fighting for Our Planet

From Nazra for Feminist Studies (Egypt): A Letter of Solidarity; Together, We Stand in Solidarity..To Build

Chile changing: transgender student leader lends voice to renewed protests

Thousands of women march in Chile again

Nobel Women’s Initiative: A strategic approach to climate action

ASEAN insists on women’s role in peacekeeping

Voices of Afghan women ‘must be heard at the table in the peace process and beyond’ UN deputy chief tells Security Council

Women Are Critical to Building a Lasting Peace in Afghanistan

Venezuela. The construction of peace must have the quality of feminism

Colombia: Scars that build peace

Emerging Feminist Leaders Are Claiming Their Space: Follow Us to Liberia!

The women who helped bring down Sudan’s president

World animal protection: Five amazing Sea Warrior women tackling ghost gear on a global scale

Over 250 prominent women leaders call on President Trump and Chairman Kim to end the Korean War

Ocasio-Cortez Delivers Powerful Call for Justice as Third Women’s March Kicks Off in New York

Ethiopian President Calls to Work for Peace and Security

Women for Yemen Network: Joint Statement in Advance of the Yemeni Peace Talks in Sweden

Claudia Sheinbaum, the first woman elected by popular vote to govern Mexico City

Madrid: Women close the Anti-Violence Forum with a message of peace

Voices from 62nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW62)

What Women Bring to the Constitution-Writing Table

Women take to the streets as the world marks International Women’s Day

India: ’Life: A Mystical Journey’- A Gathering of 500 Women Leaders To Explore Spirituality as Tool For Peace And Empowerment

Women’s March protests across America against President Trump

16 Days of Activism: Meet Felicity Ruby, Australia

16 Days of Activism: Meet Rasha Jarhum, Yemen

16 Days of Activism: Meet Bertha Zúñiga Cáceres, Honduras

16 Days of Activism: Meet Anne Marie Sam, Canada

16 Days of Activism 2017: Meet Dina Meza, Honduras

16 Days of Activism 2017: Meet Marcela Fernandez, Colombia

16 Days of Activism 2017: Meet Amanda Ghahremani, Canada

16 Days of Activism 2017: Meet Ketty Nivyabandi, Burundi

16 Days of Activism 2017: Meet Mariama Sonko, Senegal

Egypt: Women’s Conference in Gharbia organizes “Women’s Peacemaker” conference

Photos: A look at International Women’s Day marches around the world

Nonviolent Peaceforce in South Sudan: The extremes of the human spirit

A Tribute to Woman Peacemaker Joan Bernstein

USA: “Day without a woman”

Amnesty: 8 women show us why International Women’s Day is the day to declare: We won’t wait for our rights!

Ocho mujeres nos muestran por qué el Día Internacional de la Mujer es el día para proclamar: ¡No vamos a esperar más por nuestros derechos!

Amnesty: Huit portraits de femmes montrent qu’il faut profiter de la Journée internationale des droits des femmes pour affirmer : «Nous n’attendrons pas le respect de nos droits!»

ICC: Meet the justice activists breaking the mold

Women Unite for Global Action on Peacebuilding: The Women’s International “Peace Meet” (Jalgaon, India)

USA: To Counter Trump, Women Are Mobilizing for Massive March on Washington

Beirut Int’l Conference Highlights Women’s Participation in Peace, Security Initiatives

Colombia Includes Gender Focus for a Stable, Lasting Peace

Peace in Colombia Is Impossible Without Us, Women Declare

Bahrain Women Association conducted a workshop on peace for Sitra Alahleya Society – Women club

Book review: Hilary Klein’s Compañeras: Zapatista Women’s Stories

Women in Israel Fasting to Mark Gaza Anniversary

10 More Ways Syrian Women Are Building Peace and Democracy

A century of women working for peace

ICC/Judges – Women at the top at the International Criminal Court

Una argentina presidirá la Corte Penal Internacional

Women Leaders Call for Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Post-2015 Agenda

ONU Mujer: Bachelet destacó participación de mujeres en puestos de poder

Mobile Technology a Lever for Women’s Empowerment

For discussion and articles prior to 2015, click here

Readers are encouraged to add their comments below.

Protecting women and girls against violence, Is progress being made?


Violence against women is an intrinsic aspect of the culture of war. As stated by Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, women are not just victims of war – they must play an essential part in building peace. Here are a few excerpts from an article she published in the New York Times and which is now available on the website of The Elders.

“In war zones, rape is a weapon. We cannot claim to be serious about stopping war crimes if we do nothing to prevent and punish these heinous acts – and if women are not part of the solution every step of the way. . . . women – and men, too – are at risk of sexual abuse wherever gunfire rattles and militias roam. Like other forms of violence, sexual violence shatters people, families, and livelihoods. It leaves behind a legacy of trauma, making it more likely that the next generation will continue fighting, killing, and allow sexual violence to fester.

A history of modern warfare reveals sexual abuse at almost every turn: according to the United Nations, up to 250,000 Rwandan women were sexually assaulted in three months of genocide in 1994. In Yugoslavia, 60,000 women were abused between 1992 and 1995. Sierra Leone and Liberia jointly witnessed up to a hundred thousand cases over the course of a decade in the 1990s. . . .

Mindsets are evolving. The United Nations Security Council has passed several resolutions recognising the need to include women in peace processes. We need to push the agenda further at every opportunity. . .

The greater aspiration is that societies in conflict will know that war crimes will not go unpunished and that transitional justice can be made available to deal with these abuses swiftly. The stigma will shift from the victims to the criminals. If rape is no longer deemed a warrior’s accepted privilege, we will be one step closer to peace.”

CPNN has carried many articles on progress being made to stop violence against women, especially related to the culture of war. Articles since 2015 are listed here.

A global analysis of violence against women defenders in environmental conflicts

Mexico: Tlaxcala has first place in the list of Women Builders of Peace

Hidalgo, Mexico: Networks of Women Peace-Builders created in Apan, Tula and Pachuca

Bolivia Enacts Law on Femicide, Infanticide & Rape

Mexico: The Alamo City Council promotes a culture of peace among women

Thousands demonstrate in France to stop violence against women

United Nations : UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women

Black-clad women rally in Australia to demand gender violence justice

Over a Million Mobilize for International Women’s Day in Latin America

In Malawi, Chief Theresa Kachindamoto Fights against Child Marriage

Dominican Republic: Government takes action to eliminate violence against women and girls

San Luis Potosi, Mexico: Teachers of the Municipal Educational System Trained against Gender Violence

PAYNCoP Gabon Works with UNESCO to Combat Covid19 Fake News and Violence Against Women

A day without us’: What was the National Women’s Strike in Mexico and why did it take place?

The world went orange: Putting a spotlight on ending violence against women

Honouring the Me Too Movement with the 2019 Sydney Peace Prize

Nicaragua: Peace Commissions contribute to the prevention of violence against women

Dominican Republic: Youth and the United Nations promote a culture of peace

Bolivia: #NiUnaMenos demands prevention to stop violence against women

Argentina: Thousands of women march to the Plaza de Mayo to demand justice for Lucía Pérez

Israeli woman hold mass rallies to protest rising violence against women

France: More people marched in the demonstration #NousToutes than in the demonstration of the “Yellow Jackets”

Google’s ‘#metoo’ moment: Workers walk out over women’s rights

The Nobel Prize for Peace 2018

Morocco and Senegal promote gender equality through media

Mexico: Tlalnepantla Continues Work to Eradicate Gender Violence

Education unions join in the global call to end school-related gender-based violence

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women marked around the world

Latin America: What are other countries doing to combat femicide?

Dominican Republic, San Francisco de Macorís: Men’s march to combat violence against women

Ecuador: International Conference on Gender Violence

USA: The ‘Me Too’ Campaign Was Created By A Black Woman 10 Years Ago

Making Waves: Local radio transforming perceptions of gender-based violence in Africa

Creating a new normal, students across Bangladesh say no more sexual harassment

Brazil: Government of Espirito Santo launches movement to stop violence against women

Feminist icons join bid to upend Congo’s rape capital reputation

Mexico: Authorities agree on actions to prevent violence against women

Gravatá, Pernambuco, Brazil: Combating violence against women now in the classroom

Eliminating sexual violence in conflict through the International Criminal Court

Mozambique: Taking steps on the long road to ending violence against women

UN Women: 16 days of activism against gender violence

Mexico: Need to promote a culture of peace, to end violence against women: CEAMEG

México: Necesario promover una cultura de paz, para terminar con violencia contra las mujeres: CEAMEG

Enough is enough: Oxfam seeks to end violence against women and girls once and for all

Guatemala: 28 years of struggle for the life, dignity and rights of women survivors of genocide

India: Buddhist nuns bike Himalayas to oppose human trafficking

Hundreds of Thousands Join Saudi Women-Led Campaign to End Male Guardianship in the Kingdom

Peru: #NiUnaMenos: 50,000 protest violence against women in Lima

No Means No Kenya

Amnesty International: 10 ways we’ve defended women’s rights in the past year

PORTRAIT: Dr. Denis Mukwege, the man who repairs women in eastern DRC

“A Girl in the River-The Price Of Forgiveness”: A Pakistani Film shedding light on the Taboo of our society

Battered women support services commemorates Prevention of Violence Against Women Week

For discussion and articles prior to 2015, click here

Bulletin English April 1, 2015

. WOMEN, EQUALITY AND PEACE .

Women, equality and peace

March is the month for women, beginning with the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8. This year the international advocacy organisation Women Deliver marked the day by celebrating 15 journalists who have dedicated their work to gender issues. Besides India and Liberia, other honorees hailed from Argentina, Cameroon, Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan, the Philippines, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United States.

Each year in March the United Nations convenes the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). This year it was dedicated to analyzing progress and following up the Declaration and Platform of Action adopted by the World Conference on Women in Beijing twenty years ago. Setting a new record, more than 1,100 NGOs and a total of 8,600 representatives registered to participate in the Commission’s work this year. With regard to peace building, their discussions showed that there is a great potential for progress, although it remains to be realized, since the latest available statistics show that women made up only 9 per cent of negotiators at peace tables between 1992 and 2011.

Inher closing speech at the CSW, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said, “We are all aware that there are no shortcuts to realizing gender equality, the empowerment of women and the human rights of women and girls. Based on the road we have travelled, we know that there are more challenges ahead of us. We know we must continue to work, systematically and relentlessly, to bring about transformation in our families, societies, economies, and political and public spaces.”

In preparation for the CSW, a high-level international event was hosted by Michele Bachelet, the President of Chile, to assess the advances made towards gender equality in the last 20 years and what still needs to be done.

As the world celebrated International Women’s Day, the International Criminal Court got its first female presidency, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi of Argentina ,along with two other female judges as her Vice- Presidents. This is the first time the Court has had an all-female leadership

In some areas there has been great progress. For example, the global rate of maternal deaths is reducing faster than any time in history, according to a new report presented to the United Nations entitled “Saving Lives, Protecting Futures.” Maternal mortality has been nearly halved since 1990, and in 2013, 6.4 million fewer children under age five died compared to 1990. Compared to then 11 million more women have given birth in a health facility, 8.4 million more women and girls use modern contraception, and post-natal care for women increased 25 percent.

To give some idea of the number of organizations working for women and peace, in South Asia, a directory has been launched and already it provides extensive information on 175 organizations in Afghanistan (20), Bangladesh (32), Bhutan (3), India (38), Maldives (2), Nepal (29), Pakistan (28) and Sri Lanka (25).

Also in South Asia, the Self-Employed Women’s Association, founded by Ela Bhatt, has been working since 2009 to promote its “Green Livelihoods Campaign” – known as “Hariyali” in the local language – to provide cheap access to sustainable energy across India. Access to energy is vital in emancipating women who are otherwise marginalised both economically and politically.

The African Women’s Journal has just devoted a special issue to African Women in Power/Politics. In the words of the editor, “we continue to wrestle with power, make our voices heard and bring about lasting change which can be felt by the coming generations. ”

Also from Africa Mrs. Esther Abimiku Ibanga, the founder of “Women Without Walls Initiative” in Nigeria, has been awarded the 32nd Niwano Peace Prize: “Since inception, the organization has become a strong coalition of women groups across religious and ethnic divides. From this platform, women have been placed at an advantageous position of raising their voices in the calls for peace in the troubled regions of Nigeria.”

In South Sudan The formation of Women’s Peacekeeping Teams is an important part of the programming of the Nonviolent Peaceforce. They support the development of teams of roughly 10 women who work to support each other and their community on protection issues that target women.

Finally, in South America, The 2015 Pax Christi International Peace Award has been granted to the Women, Peace and Security Collective for Reflection and Action (Colectivo de Pensamiento y Acción Mujeres, Paz y Seguridad) in Colombia for making visible and encouraging the essential contribution of women to peacebuilding in their country and for their work to promote an ethical transformation of Colombian society as the path towards sustainable peace.

The Pax Christi International award reminds us of the important role that women play worldwide in conflict transformation and peacebuilding at the local, national and international level.

      
WOMEN’S EQUALITY

Beijing

UN Commission on Status of Women: Implementing the Beijing Platform for Action

HUMAN RIGHTS



Amnesty International: A Devastating Year

DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY



Beirut, Lebanon: Citizenship, Gender and Democracy Building International Roundtable

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT



Move the Money! The Global Campaign on Military Spending

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION



The 15 Journalists Putting Women’s Rights on the Front Page

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION



Nigeria: Why we facilitated Abuja peace accord —Ben Obi

TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY



A Year-long Project for “Living Together – REVE” in Niger

EDUCATION FOR PEACE

2045 jazz
US and Iran: Track II diplomacy through jazz