Archive for the 'Politics' Category

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?

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* 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

Women’s parliamentary representation: a long way to go

Published on 18 August 2009 in Gender issues and Politics. 5 Comments

The number of seats held by women in the European Parliament increased from 31% to 35% this year. The world-wide average of women’s representation in parliamentary seats is, however, only 18%, a number far from the United Nations target of 30%.

According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, women’s access is affected by different factors. The attitudes about the role of women in society and bias among the voters are two reasons; but, electorate arrangements (such as the party systems) together with political will are the most important factors. It has been proven that women are elected in greater numbers in systems of proportional representation than they are in majority electoral systems.

Electoral law with quotas can direct political parties to ensure that a certain proportion of their candidates are women. Some states have achieved positive results through a combination of strategies, such as providing skills-training for women or assistance in running electoral campaigns.

What is the situation in your country? What are the most important factors? What strategies are being used? What else could be done to increase women’s participation?

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