Monthly Archive for November, 2009

UNiTE to End Violence against Women

Published on 25 November 2009 in Gender issues and Human Rigths. 1 Comment

According to some estimates, up to 70 per cent of women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. The United Nations General Assembly, which designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, has invited governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities designed to raise public awareness of the problem.

UNIFEM has taken a leading role in advocating for the elimination of violence against women in form of a world-wide campaign, Say NO to Violence Against Women. The first phase of this campaign, of which IFUW was a launch partner, generated over 5 million signatures in a global call to make this issue a top priority worldwide. Heads of States and Ministers from 69 Governments and more than 600 Parliamentarians have added their names to Say NO since then.

The second phase of the UNIFEM campaign, Say NO – UNiTE to End Violence against Women, is a global platform for advocacy and action. It aims to trigger and highlight actions by individuals, governments and civil society. Actions can range from adding your name to the Say NO petition, volunteering at local shelters or women’s organizations, advocating for legislation to reaching out to students at schools, spreading the message through blogs and tweets or donating funds that support local organizations on the ground. The initial goal is to reach 100,000 actions by March 2010. IFUW members are encouraged to add their actions taken on the Say NO website.

Every action is counted to showcase the global wave of engagement, urging governments to make ending violence against women and girls a top priority. People must engage at all levels, transform beliefs and attitudes, and ensure laws, programmes and services are implemented and well resourced.

What actions have you taken? Share your experience and inspire others.

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Women and peace-building

Published on 11 November 2009 in Gender issues, Human Rigths and Politics. 2 Comments
© UNESCO: Afghanistan, Kandahar

© UNESCO (Afghanistan, Kandahar)

Recently the United Nations Security Council voiced deep concern about the continuing under-representation of women at all stages of peace processes. Nearly nine years have passed since Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security was adopted, but to date only 16 countries* have developed national action plans.

The Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon urged all Member States to adopt national action plans before the 10th anniversary of the resolution next year. Having national plans is not enough however. Implementation is key to achieving the goals of the resolution. Member states were also encouraged to address such female needs as greater physical security, better socio-economic conditions through education, income generating activities, access to health services and access to justice.

The Secretary General pointed out that “a growing body of evidence suggests that bringing women to the peace table improves the quality of agreements reached, and increases the chances of successful implementation”. Yet, UNIFEM reports that women average less than 10 per cent of the members of official negotiating teams at peace talks.”

What steps have been taken in your country towards implementing resolution 1325? What are the barriers to promoting women’s role as peace builders?

Click here to read and write comments.

* Austria, Belgium, Chile, Côte d’Ivoire, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Liberia, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uganda and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

2009 Security Council report: Women and peace and security by the Secretary-General