http://womenpeacesecurity.org/ en kmader@womenpeacesecurity.org Copyright 2010 2010-07-28T22:02:29+00:00 http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_august_2010/ http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_august_2010/ The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has released the August 2010 version of our Monthly Action Points (MAP) on Women, Peace and Security for the UN Security Council. For August, the MAP provides recommendations on country situations such as Iraq, Guinea, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, and Liberia. In addition, the MAP highlights the need for improved country reporting on women, peace and security Conflict. Homepage, Rapid Response Updates 2010-07-28T22:02:29+00:00 http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_july_2010/ http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_july_2010/ The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has released the July 2010 version of our Monthly Action Points (MAP) on Women, Peace and Security for the UN Security Council. For July, in which Nigeria has the Security Council Presidency, the MAP provides recommendations on country situations such as Burundi, Darfur, Kyrgyzstan, and Somalia. In addition, the MAP highlights the need for improved country reporting on women, peace and security; and indicates key women, peace and security aspects of the upcoming discussions on Protection of Civilians and Conflict prevention and settlement of disputes. Download July 2010 MAP in Spanish [PDF] Homepage, Advocacy 2010-07-07T17:15:47+00:00 http://womenpeacesecurity.org/global_open_days_for_women_and_peace_are_a_first_step_in_responding_to_wome/ http://womenpeacesecurity.org/global_open_days_for_women_and_peace_are_a_first_step_in_responding_to_wome/ The Civil Society Advisory Group to the United Nations on Women, Peace and Security (CSAG) expressed support today for the “Global Open Days for Women and Peace,” organized by several UN agencies and departments, to hear directly from women in countries affected by past or ongoing conflict and substantively to incorporate women’s rights and concerns in their mission planning. The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security is on the Secretariat for the CSAG. Open Day events have been held in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Nepal, Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In the coming weeks, Open Days will be held in Afghanistan, Haiti, Pakistan, Iraq, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Burundi, and the Office of the UN in West Africa based in Senegal, among others. Homepage, News & Analysis 2010-06-15T16:25:13+00:00 http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_june_20101/ http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_june_20101/ The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has released the June 2010 version of our Monthly Action Points (MAP) on Women, Peace and Security for the UN Security Council. For June, the MAP provides recommendations on country situations such as Afghanistan, Burundi, Guinea and Sudan. In addition, the MAP highlights the need for improved country reporting on women, peace and security; supports the upcoming Global Open Day for Women and Peace; and indicates the importance of upcoming discussions on Children and Armed Conflict. Download June 2010 MAP in Spanish [PDF] Homepage, Advocacy 2010-06-01T16:45:41+00:00 http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_may_20103/ http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_may_20103/ The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has released the May 2010 version of our Monthly Action Points (MAP) on Women, Peace and Security for the UN Security Council. For May, the MAP provides recommendations on country situations, such as Afghanistan, Chad/Central African Republic; Cote d'Ivoire; Iraq; Democratic Republic of Congo; Nepal, and Somalia. In addition, we look forward to the Council’s continuing engagement on specific aspects of the women, peace and security agenda, including ongoing work on the 1325 indicators. Homepage, Advocacy 2010-04-28T21:37:49+00:00 http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_april_2010/ http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_april_2010/ The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has released the April 2010 version of our Monthly Action Points (MAP) on Women, Peace and Security for the UN Security Council..For April, in which Japan holds the Presidency, the MAP provides recommendations on country situations, such as the Security Council’s forthcoming mission to Africa, the expected Open Debate on Peacebuilding, and the country situations of Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Lebanon, Somalia, and Western Sahara. In addition, we look forward to the Council’s specific engagement on specific aspects of the women, peace and security agenda, which will be discussed in the Council as per requests in resolutions 1888 and 1889. Homepage, Advocacy 2010-03-26T14:14:06+00:00 http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_march_2010/ http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_march_2010/ The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has released the March 2010 version of our Monthly Action Points (MAP) on Women, Peace and Security for the UN Security Council. For March, in which Gabon holds the Security Council Presidency, the MAP provides recommendations on country situations, such as the mandate renewals and reports for Afghanistan and Chad/Central African Republic; and the reporting on Sierra Leone, Haiti, and the situation in Guinea. The MAP also recommends ongoing Security Council and Member State support for the recommendations in SCRs 1888 and 1889. Small arms trafficking will also be an area of discussion for the Security Council this month, and we look forward to the Council's specific engagement on the substantial women, peace and security aspects of this issue. Download March 2010 MAP in French [PDF] Homepage, Advocacy 2010-02-23T23:14:25+00:00 http://womenpeacesecurity.org/ips_article_on_new_u.n._envoy_to_crack_down_on_sexual_violence/ http://womenpeacesecurity.org/ips_article_on_new_u.n._envoy_to_crack_down_on_sexual_violence/ February 2, 2010 - (IPS) When the Security Council adopted resolution 1325 back in October 2000, it was a historic event: for the first time the U.N.'s most powerful political body dealt with a gender-related issue, explicitly linking women to peace and security. Last week, that resolution completed a full political circle when Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Margot Wallstrom of Sweden as his Special Representative (SRSG) to tackle violence against women and children in the world's battle zones. "We are looking forward to Ms. Wallstrom getting the U.N.'s house in order, particularly in this tenth anniversary year of resolution 1325," said Sarah Taylor, executive coordinator of the Non-Governmental Organisations' Working Group on Women Peace and Security (NGOWG). View the full article [External Link] Homepage, News & Analysis 2010-02-09T15:01:33+00:00 http://womenpeacesecurity.org/new_un_champion_for_women_in_conflict/ http://womenpeacesecurity.org/new_un_champion_for_women_in_conflict/ The UN Secretary-General has announced his intention to appoint Margot Wallström as his new Special Representative for sexual violence in conflict. This could finally focus international action against these crimes, said the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security (NGOWG). “The UN has for too long lacked crucial leadership for its day-to-day work against rape in war,” said Sarah Taylor, Executive Coordinator of the NGOWG. “The new representative has the potential to ensure the UN is more effective in preventing and responding to such crimes; helping to empower women and bring perpetrators to justice.” Please read more in the full press release. Download the Press Release [PDF] Homepage, News & Analysis 2010-02-02T00:29:09+00:00 http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_february_2010/ http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_february_2010/ The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has released the February 2010 version of our Monthly Action Points (MAP) on Women, Peace and Security for the UN Security Council. For February, in which France holds the Security Council Presidency, the MAP provides recommendations on country situations, such as reporting on Central African Republic/Chad, Darfur, Iraq, and Liberia; the mandate renewal and reporting on Timor-Leste; and the ongoing situation in Guinea. The MAP also recommends ongoing Security Council and Member State support for the recommendations in SCRs 1888 and 1889, particularly the forthcoming appointment of an SRSG; development of the Team of Experts; and the proposals to strengthen the UN response to sexual violence in conflict. The February MAP is currently available in English, and will be available in French shortly. Download February 2010 MAP in English [PDF] Download February 2010 MAP in French [PDF] Homepage, Advocacy 2010-01-25T23:48:16+00:00 http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_january_2010/ http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_january_2010/ The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has released the January 2010 version of our Monthly Action Points (MAP) on Women, Peace and Security for the UN Security Council. For January, in which China holds the Security Council Presidency, the MAP provides recommendations on country situations, such as reporting on Somalia, Sudan & Darfur, the mandate renewal of Chad, Cote'Ivoire, Nepal, and the ongoing situation in Guinea. The MAP also calls for Security Council Members and Member States to follow up on the recommendations in SCRs 1888 and 1889, particularly the forthcoming appointment of an SRSG. Download January 2010 MAP in English [PDF] Homepage, Advocacy 2009-12-18T23:20:23+00:00 http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_december_20091/ http://womenpeacesecurity.org/monthly_action_points_map_for_the_security_council_december_20091/ The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has released the December version of our Monthly Action Points (MAP) on Women, Peace and Security for the UN Security Council. For December, in which Burkina Faso holds the Security Council Presidency, the MAP provides recommendations on country situations, such as reporting on Afghanistan, the mandate renewal of MONUC in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the ongoing situation in Guinea, and considerations for the Golan Heights and Cyprus. The MAP also calls for Security Council Members and Member States to follow up on the recommendations in SCRs 1888 and 1889, particularly the forthcoming appointment of an SRSG. Download December 2009 MAP in English [PDF] Download December 2009 MAP in French [PDF] Homepage, Advocacy 2009-11-23T22:01:30+00:00 http://womenpeacesecurity.org/ngowg_criteria_for_the_new_srsg_on_women_paece_and_security/ http://womenpeacesecurity.org/ngowg_criteria_for_the_new_srsg_on_women_paece_and_security/ Considerations are underway for the appointment of the Secretary-General’s new Special Representative on women, peace and security, as requested in Security Council Resolution 1888 (OP 4).  As it is not realistic to think one person will embody all necessary criteria for this important post, UN system and Member States must work to support this new SRSG, and there must be a concerted effort to give the SRSG a staff who can build the post’s legitimacy and effectiveness. It is essential the SRSG’s office have the knowledge and legitimacy to speak to and act on the content of its mandate: this goes beyond addressing impunity for sexual violence, and includes participation, prevention, protection, and access to services for survivors of sexual violence. The NGOWG believes a qualified man can be an equally effective SRSG, though he may have to work harder to build trust with women’s groups in conflict-affected countries: this is where the support of the system and staffing of the SRSG’s office are key.  With this in mind, the new SRSG should: Have substantial operational knowledge of the UN system, and potentially of a military operation; Have the authority to address gaps in UN system. It is vital that this person be taken seriously by all operational UN branches; Have legitimacy with the women’s groups this person will have to coordinate with and learn from in order to do the work properly; and have the sensitivity necessary to work with the survivors of sexual violence; Ensure women, peace and security matters continue to be addressed in the security arena, and understands the importance of human rights in this context; and Have political access, and be able to open doors for funding; political strategizing; and getting governments and other stakeholders to support the mandate. This may be regarding troops contributions and other resources, and mobilizing the justice and health systems in conflict situations. Download Security Council Resolution 1888 [PDF] Download the NGOWG Criteria [PDF] Homepage, News & Analysis 2009-11-09T16:22:43+00:00 http://womenpeacesecurity.org/map_-_november_2009/ http://womenpeacesecurity.org/map_-_november_2009/ In October, 2010, the international community will mark the 10th Anniversary of the adoption of 1325, the first Security Council Resolution on women, peace and security. Throughout the year leading up to this anniversary, the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security is producing Monthly Action Points, or MAPs, a series of recommendations that show how each United Nations Security Council President can provide leadership on, and how the Security Council as a whole can systematically meet its obligations to women in conflict. For November, in which Austria holds the Security Council Presidency, our MAP provides recommendations on Protection of Civilians, Counter-Terrorism, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, and Somalia. Download November 2009 MAP in English [PDF] Homepage, Advocacy 2009-10-29T19:44:56+00:00 http://womenpeacesecurity.org/open_letter_to_security_council_members_regarding_the_situation_in_guinea/ http://womenpeacesecurity.org/open_letter_to_security_council_members_regarding_the_situation_in_guinea/ In response to recent sexual violence which was aimed at women in Guinea by members of the Guinean armed forces in the aftermath of political violence on 28 September 2009, the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security sent a letter to all Members of the Security Council urging them to support an international investigation with special attention paid to sexual violence, as well as other measures in line with the recently adopted Security Council resolution 1888. Download the Letter [PDF] Homepage, Advocacy 2009-10-13T21:53:16+00:00