Burundi
The Council is expected to consider a report on the efforts of the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the United Nations Electoral Observation Mission in Burundi (MENUB). The Council should ensure that gender is a cross-cutting issue throughout MENUB’s work and enquire as to efforts to ensure women’s full participation as candidates, voters, and election monitors. Women’s civil society organizations should be engaged in any violence prevention efforts in the lead up to, during, and after the election.
Cyprus
The Security Council is expected to consider the report of the Secretary-General and renew the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). The Council should support efforts to ensure women’s full and meaningful participation in ongoing negotiations by including specific language in the UNFICYP mandate to this effect and by strengthening references to the participation of civil society in the peace process (S/RES/2114, OP 3(d)). Further, all relevant UN offices in Cyprus should support the inclusion of women as full participants in the peace processes and ensure the integration of a gender perspective throughout the process.
Iraq
As the Security Council renews the mandate of the UN Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), Council members should add language in the mandate that ensures gender is cross-cutting across all areas of responsibility and specifically calls for strong gender analysis and enhanced reporting by the Secretary-General. The Council should include provisions in the mandate that call for:
- The continued deployment of gender advisers in UNAMI and women’s full and meaningful participation in all efforts to counter and prevent violent extremism and terrorism.
- The application of a gender lens in humanitarian assistance efforts, and consultations with women and girls including those displaced and those with disabilities, by all humanitarian and protection actors; and in the provision of comprehensive and non-discriminatory medical care, including trauma support and ongoing psychosocial counselling for survivors, and the full range of sexual and reproductive health services as mandated by SCR 2122 (2013), including access to emergency contraception and safe abortion services. Further, the Council should call on the Government of Iraq to allow civil society to provide direct services as local organizations are in the best position to reach displaced families and to provide shelter and aid.
- The Council should also urge the Government of Iraq to enable displaced women and girls to obtain temporary Civil Status Identification Documents, in the absence of a male family member to verify their identity, in order to ensure their access to essential public services and to reduce their risk of statelessness, increased exposure to SGBV, and discrimination; fully implement and fund Iraq’s National Action Plan on SCR 1325 in consultation with civil society; and establish training programs on the stigma associated with SGBV and on treatment protocols on appropriate care for survivors, including in hospital emergency rooms.
As the Security Council renews the mandate of the UN Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), Council members should add language in the mandate that ensures gender is cross-cutting across all areas of responsibility and specifically calls for strong gender analysis and enhanced reporting by the Secretary-General. The Council should include provisions in the mandate that call for:
- The continued deployment of gender advisers in UNAMI and women’s full and meaningful participation in all efforts to counter and prevent violent extremism and terrorism.
- The application of a gender lens in humanitarian assistance efforts, and consultations with women and girls including those displaced and those with disabilities, by all humanitarian and protection actors; and in the provision of comprehensive and non-discriminatory medical care, including trauma support and ongoing psychosocial counselling for survivors, and the full range of sexual and reproductive health services as mandated by SCR 2122 (2013), including access to emergency contraception and safe abortion services. Further, the Council should call on the Government of Iraq to allow civil society to provide direct services as local organizations are in the best position to reach displaced families and to provide shelter and aid.
- The Council should also urge the Government of Iraq to enable displaced women and girls to obtain temporary Civil Status Identification Documents, in the absence of a male family member to verify their identity, in order to ensure their access to essential public services and to reduce their risk of statelessness, increased exposure to SGBV, and discrimination; fully implement and fund Iraq’s National Action Plan on SCR 1325 in consultation with civil society; and establish training programs on the stigma associated with SGBV and on treatment protocols on appropriate care for survivors, including in hospital emergency rooms.
Small Island Developing States
In July, the Council will hold an open debate focused on the specific security challenges facing small islands and developing states (SIDS). In this context, statements should discuss the importance of addressing the interconnected security challenges of climate change, the illicit flow of SALW, and transnational crime through inclusive peacebuilding and development. A gender perspective should be mainstreamed throughout any policy initiatives, and furthering women’s participation and consultation with civil society organizations should be seen as fundamental. Particularly in the context of SALW, participants should ratify the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and, furthermore, ensure the effective implementation of the ATT’s provision on preventing GBV.
Abyei / South Sudan / Sudan
The Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN mission in Abyei (UNISFA). The Council must ensure effective implementation of the human rights monitoring mandate by expanding upon language in SCR 2179 (2014) on human rights monitoring in regards to sexual and gender-based violence by requesting specific reporting on women to help make such monitoring operational in Abyei. There should also be continued follow-up regarding gender training for security forces, the status of senior gender expertise for UNISFA, and implementation of the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse in accordance with SCR 1990 (2011). Further, the Council should include women in the key negotiations between the Ngok Dinka and the Misseriya, as well as in the resumption of the Cooperation Agreements between Sudan and South Sudan. In any engagement with local organizations, UNISFA should engage with women and women’s organizations and fully ensure a gender perspective is adopted across its work.
Syria
The Council is expected to consider the situation in Syria, with a particular focus on the current humanitarian situation. In many cases, parties to the conflict are preventing necessary humanitarian services from reaching critical areas in need. In the context of reporting and documenting human rights violations, in accordance with SCR 2139 (2014) and SCR 2165 (2014), the Council should ensure there is information provided on or questions asked relating to:
- The implementation of SCR 2122 (2013) to ensure women’s participation in all political efforts to resolve the conflict, the assignment of capable gender advisers to the UN Special Envoy and negotiating teams, and the need for future rounds of negotiations to include formal consultations with women’s civil society organizations.
- Gender-sensitive reports and briefings which provide information on the scope of the situation for women, men, girls, and boys and the inclusion of particularly marginalized groups, such as women and adolescent girls who head households, and/or women who have disabilities or are care-givers of persons with disabilities.
- The need for OCHA to hold ongoing consultations with local and international civil society organizations, to devise localized relief efforts as part of the Syria Response Plan. All actors should also increase support to women’s civil society leaders, through the provision of financial assistance, technical support, and training on working under extreme conditions while also restricted by limited access to funding and within a shrinking operational space. Any efforts to prevent violent extremism in Syria should be developed in consultation with Syrian women-led civil society groups and give due recognition to the critical roles women are playing to combat violent extremism and radicalization in the country.
- Gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms committed in Syria against civilians being referred to the International Criminal Court, as well as other mechanisms that would promote truth and reconciliation, social recovery, and the reintegration of refugees.
- Investigations into the sexual exploitation of Syrian women and girls by aid workers, including those serving in refugee camps outside of Syria, in exchange for goods and services; the need to provide shelters and services for women and girls displaced by the conflict; and universal access to a full range of affordable healthcare.
The Council is expected to consider the situation in Syria, with a particular focus on the current humanitarian situation. In many cases, parties to the conflict are preventing necessary humanitarian services from reaching critical areas in need. In the context of reporting and documenting human rights violations, in accordance with SCR 2139 (2014) and SCR 2165 (2014), the Council should ensure there is information provided on or questions asked relating to:
- The implementation of SCR 2122 (2013) to ensure women’s participation in all political efforts to resolve the conflict, the assignment of capable gender advisers to the UN Special Envoy and negotiating teams, and the need for future rounds of negotiations to include formal consultations with women’s civil society organizations.
- Gender-sensitive reports and briefings which provide information on the scope of the situation for women, men, girls, and boys and the inclusion of particularly marginalized groups, such as women and adolescent girls who head households, and/or women who have disabilities or are care-givers of persons with disabilities.
- The need for OCHA to hold ongoing consultations with local and international civil society organizations, to devise localized relief efforts as part of the Syria Response Plan. All actors should also increase support to women’s civil society leaders, through the provision of financial assistance, technical support, and training on working under extreme conditions while also restricted by limited access to funding and within a shrinking operational space. Any efforts to prevent violent extremism in Syria should be developed in consultation with Syrian women-led civil society groups and give due recognition to the critical roles women are playing to combat violent extremism and radicalization in the country.
- Gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms committed in Syria against civilians being referred to the International Criminal Court, as well as other mechanisms that would promote truth and reconciliation, social recovery, and the reintegration of refugees.
- Investigations into the sexual exploitation of Syrian women and girls by aid workers, including those serving in refugee camps outside of Syria, in exchange for goods and services; the need to provide shelters and services for women and girls displaced by the conflict; and universal access to a full range of affordable healthcare.
In its regular work across all agenda items, the Security Council should ensure that all country reports and mandate renewals evaluate the level of protection and promotion of women’s human rights, as per SCRs 1325, 1820 (OP 9), 1888 (OP 11), 1889 (OP 5), 1960 (OPs 6, 13), 2106 (OPs 5, 6), and 2122 (OP 2(d)). Member States should inquire about any lack of such reporting.