UNSCR 1960 and the need for focus on full implementation of UNSCR 1325 « Global Network of Women Peacebuilders

OPEN LETTER TO MEMBER STATES OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL Re: Res 1960

7 January 2011

Subject: UNSCR 1960 and the need for focus on full implementation of  UNSCR 1325

Excellency,

In October 2010 the world observed the 10th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 on Women and Peace and Security. An unprecedented number of member-states spoke in the Security Council, the majority declaring their commitment to ensuring the equal and effective participation of women in decision making for the prevention and resolution of wars and violence. Civil society also strongly reaffirmed its determination to realize in the coming years the enormous potential of that resolution in this regard.

We believe it is essential to ensure that regular consultations are undertaken with women’s civil society organizations. The implementation of UNSCR 1325 as well as of any subsequent resolutions relating to women and peace and security will only be effective through involvement of women and civil society organizations.

In that context, we are concerned that women’s right to full participation in all matters of peace and security is being overlooked as women are increasingly being seen and treated mostly as passive victims of violence and abuse. We call for women’s full equality and participation at all levels of decision making as envisaged in UNSCR 1325.

Also, as we enthusiastically welcome the establishment of UN Women, we call upon this new entity to include the full implementation of UNSCR 1325, including its financing and accountability mechanisms, as one of its top priorities. We also note with great satisfaction the appointment of SRSG Margot Wallström who has brought a passionate concern for the plight of women in times of conflict.

Rape is the worst crime that women or men can endure and survive. The trauma lasts a lifetime and has ripple consequences of ostracism from family and community as well as physical damage. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) calls rape during war a crime against humanity. It is at once a crime and a symbol of the continued objectification of women and the denial of the power and agency recognized in UNSCR 1325.

The process of the recent adoption of UNSCR 1960 sponsored by governments without consultation with women on the ground is a case in point. It speaks only of women as victims of sexual abuse during violent conflict and does not mention that if women were recognized as participants in decision making they would be less vulnerable to attack. If governments would involve more women and worked harder to prevent wars there would be less sexual abuse. If small arms were regulated and reduced by involving women in the decision making there would be less sexual violence. If the UN leadership and its member states involved women more systematically in conflict prevention and resolution – the real focus of 1325 – there would be a marked improvement in peace and security for everyone.

These issues of women’s participation, of prevention of violence and reduction of weapons cannot be left out of any resolution on women and peace and security. Reference to the full implementation of UNSCR 1325 must be substantively integral to any subsequent resolutions of the Security Council on women, not just a passing reference in preambular paragraphs to this foundational and fundamental document.

We cannot pluck rape out of war for our attention and let the war go on. We must be passionate about preventing and stopping wars, and about recognizing the equal right of women to seats at all tables where decisions are made. Rape will be reduced when violence is reduced and when women are taken more seriously and treated equally in all decisions on the fate of humanity.

If UN member states, particularly those represented in the Security Council, are serious about their commitments to women’s equality and to stopping rape and violence, they would individually and collectively ensure outreach to women and their full participation at all decision making levels in all arenas where issues of peace and security are being decided.

We thank you for your kind attention to these views with regard to your work on women and peace and security. We are willing to meet with you and discuss future course of action on this issue.

Sincerely,

1. Cabrera-Balleza, Mavic; Global Network of Women Peacebuilders
2. Naraghi Anderlni, Sanam; International Civil society Action Network
3. Aas, Sidsel; Women, Peace and Security consultant/researcher – Norway
4. Action Network for Migrant Workers – Sri Lanka
5. Adamson, Lyn; Canadian Voice of Women for Peace
6. Adda-Dontoh, Becky; Mothers for Active Non-Violence – Ghana
7. Alkhafaji, Layla; Al-Hakim Foundation – Iraq
8. Alzira, Reis; Fundasaun Alola – Timor Leste
9. Anglican Women’s Empowerment – USA
10. Akibayashi, Kozue; Feminist Scholar/Activist Network on Demilitarization
11. Alton, Janis; Canadian Voice of Women for Peace
12. All Women Advancement and Resource Development – Pakistan
13. Basnet, Babita; Sancharika Samuha – Nepal
14. Bitsure, Jeanne; Women Peacemakers Programme, Women and Allies  Peacebuilders Network – Burundi
15. Bhagwan Rolls, Sharon; femLINKPACIFIC – Fiji/Pacific; International Steering Group, Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict
16. Breyer, Chloe; Rev. Interfaith Center of New York
17. Busran-Lao, Yasmin; Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro – the Philippines
18. Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation – Malawi
19. Chishti, Maliha Prof.; Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada
20. Dharmadasa, Visaka; Association of War Affected Women – Sri Lanka
21. van Doggenaar, Jan; ICCO and Kerk in Actie – the Netherlands
22. van Lookeren, Annick; Campagne/Oxfam Novib – the Netherlands
23. Dwyer, Tatiana; Global Justice Office, Women’s Division, General Board of Global Ministries, United    Methodist Church
24. Dzathor, Euphemia Akos; Women Peacemakers Program-Africa
25. Edgren-Schori, Maud; Former Gender Advisor in Côte d´Ivoire
26. Feminist International Radio Endeavour  (FIRE) – Costa Rica
27. Fountain-ISOKO for Good Governance and the Integrated Development – Burundi
28. Fone, Wenche; Norwegian Church Aid
29. Friends of the Ghandi Museum; India
30. Garlo, Cerue Konah, Liberia
31. Gautam, Shobha; Institute of Human Rights Communication and National Women Security Watch Group – Nepal
32. Guerrero, Patricia; Liga de Mujeres Desplazadas – Colombia
33. Grönberg, Helena; Global Network of Women Peacebuilders
34. Hans, Asha; Sansristi Center for Gender Development – India
35. Hara, Hiroko; Japan Women’s Watch, Asia Pacific Women’s Watch
36. Holter, Thora; Norwegian Church Aid
37. IFOR Women Peacemakers Program – the Netherlands
38. International Action Network on Small Arms
39. International Peace Bureau
40. Kanyange, Perpetue; Centre Des Femmes Pour La Paix – Burundi
41. Korir, Selline; Rural Women Peace Link – Kenya
42. Kottegoda, Sepali; Asia Pacific Women’s Watch
43. Jenkins Tony; International Institute of Peace Education
44. Lauzon-Gatmaytan, Carmen; Asian Circle 1325 – Philippines
45. Lewis, Adjo; Mothers for Active Non-Violence (MOFAN-V) – Ghana
46. Lira Rural Women & Children Development Initiative Transit Shelter (LIRWOCDI) – Uganda
47. Llarinas-Angeles, Merci; Peace Women Partners – the Philippines
48. Lynch Jake; International Peace Research Association
49. MacNichol, Sally N. Rev. Dr.; CONNECT, New York City
50. Matriano, Estela; World Council for Curriculum and Instruction
51. Mazali, Rela; Activist and Feminist Writer – Israel
52. McPhedran, Marilou; Institute for International Women’s Rights
53. Mertin-Ryan, Mary; CEO, and Australian Reproductive Health Alliance
54. Mesa, Manuela; centro de education e investigacion para la paz – Spain
55. Melkonian, Margaret; LI Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives – USA
56. Milner, Michele; University of Central Lancaster – UK/China
57. Mwakasungula, Undule; Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation – Malawi
58. Nakamura, Mitchiko; Japan Women’s Watch, Asia Pacific Women’s Watch
59. Nario–Galace, Jasmin; Center for Peace Education, Miriam College – Philippines
60. National Ethical Service of the American Ethical Union – USA
61. Nazim, Afifa; Afghan Women’s Network
62. Nduwayo, Gerard; International Consultant on UNSCR 1325 – Burundi and Great Lakes Region
63. Nkuuhe, Jessica B.; Urgent Action Fund – Africa
64. Nyanzobe, Seconde; Fountain ISOKO for Good Governance and Integrated Development – Burundi
65. Observatorio Género Democracia y Derechos Humanos – Colombia
66. O’Dwyer, Barbara; WILPF – Australia
67. Okioma, Mary; Women for Justice in Africa – Kenya
68. Peace Women Across the Globe
69. Perera, Viola; Women’s Media Collective – Sri Lanka
70. Pratt, Nana; National Organization of Women, Mano River Women’s Peace Network – Sierra Leone
71. Price, Lisa S; Independent researcher/writer
72. Rana, Bandana; Saathi – Nepal
73. Randell, Shirley; Centre for Gender, Culture and Development – Rwanda
74. Rasul, Amina; Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy
75. Reardon, Betty; International Institute of Peace Education
76. Red Latino Americana y del Caribe para la Democracia – Colombia
77. Reyes, Joeven; Sulong CARHRIHL – the Philippines
78. Rev’d Rose; Mission of the Episcopal Church – United States
79. Rubimbwa, Robinah; Center for Women in Governance – Uganda
80. Rwanda Association of University Women
81. Salamanca, Rosa Emilia; Corporación de Investigación y Acción Social y Económica  – Colombia
82. Samuel, Kumudini; Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era
83. Sharpe, Albie; Feminist Scholar/Activist Network on Demilitarization
84. Schori, Pierre; Former Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UNOCI
85. Shieh, Vincent; World Council for Curriculum and Instruction
86. Sister Arnold Maria Noel; SSpS – the Philippines
87. Sri Lanka Women’s NGO Forum
88. Suralaga, Dewi; Cordaid – the Netherlands
89. Tanada, Karen; Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute – the Philippines
90. Teso Women Peace Activists – Uganda
91. Toupin, Sophie; Center for Peace Missions and Humanitarian Studies at the Raoul Dandurand Chair of Strategic and Diplomatic Studies at the University of Quebec at Montreal
92. Urgent Action Fund – Africa
93. Voice of the Voiceless – Liberia
94. Wenden, Anita; International Peace Research Association
95. Weiss, Cora; Hague Appeal for Peace
96. Women in Peacebuilding Network (WIPNET) – Nigeria
97. Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL)
98. Yiping, Cai; Isis International – Philippines
99. Zawilski, Valerie; University of Western Ontario, Canada
100. Zedriga, Lina; Women and Peace and Security Advocate; International Consultant for Kenya NAP on UNSCR 1325
101. Chowdhury, Anwarul; Ambassador, Former UN Under-Secretary-General and President of the Security Council (March 2000 & June 2001)

(Organizations listed for identification only)

Copy to:

H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations

Dr. Michelle Bachelet, Under Secretary-General, UN Women

Ms. Margot Wallström, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence

Mr. B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General, UN Department of Political Affairs

H.E. Mr. John McNee, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada in his capacity as the coordinator of the Friends of 1325 with the request to circulate the letter to all members of the group

via gnwp.org