Gender approaches in conflict and post conflict situations

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Gender approaches in conflict and post conflict
situations

• Augusta Angelucci, Gender Advisor UNDP-BCPR

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Peace is linked to equality between women and
men ...Maintaining and promoting peace and
security requires womens equal participation in
decision-making...(and taking) their rightful and
equal place at the decision-making table in
questions concerning peace and security Kofi A.
Annan, Statement to Security Council, 24 October
2000

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While the traditional perception of women in
crisis and post-conflict situations is that of
victims of war, the active role women in fact
play in such situations is being increasingly
recongnized.
4
Crises can break down social barriers and
traditional patriarchal patterns, thus providing
windows of opportunity for the reconstruction of
a more just and equitable society where womens
rights will be protected and gender equality
becomes the norm in institutional and social
frameworks
5
Arising opportunities must be seized not only to
promote the social rehabilitation of a country,
but to encourage and support new institutional
structures, legislation and its enforcement for
the protection of womens political, economic,
social and cultural rights.
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The transitional recovery phase can thus prove to
be a particualrly critical period for positive
transformation of gender relations, providing
opportunities to increase womens skills and
income-earning opportunities, as well as their
overall empowerment
7
UNDPs mandate in crisis and post-conflict
situations offers the organisation a unique
opportunity to contribute to this positive
change.In countries undergoing a transition
phase, UNDP can foster the nascent dynamism for
social change, and engage national stakeholders
in the planning and execution of institutional
reforms to empower women and promote gender
equality.
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Changes in gender relations due to crisis
situations

• Demographic profile changes. Changing male/female
  population balance
• Changes in division of labour between men and
  women that can be long term or even permanent
• Increased political participation and
  organization women in particular learn to gain
  greater confidence and see benefits of working
  with other women.
• Women take on roles with political dimensions
• Women take over tasks previously carried out by
  men
• Women take up activities which are not only new,
  but may be socially unacceptable or unacceptable
  in normal conditions

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Promoting gender equality in post- crisis
situations

• Carry out gender analyses.
• Reconstruction initiatives must consider the
  gender impact of, and incoroporate women in,
  their polices and projects.
• Ensure special attention to womens needs during
  repatriation, reintegration.
• Facilitate the involvement of stakeholders and
  partners, such as national and international
  womens NGOs and advocacy groups, in public
  policy and governance processes.

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• Support local institutional reforms ensuring
  gender equality.
• Ensure gender approaches in DDR activities
• Ensure representation of women at peace
  negotiations.
• Promote womens participation at the political
  level and in electoral proceses.
• Ensure information at the local level about the
  rule of womens associations on peace-building
  activities.
• Promote projects ensuring womens empowerment
  within the political and economic sector.

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Security Council Resolution 1325 Reaffirming
the important role of women in the prevention and
resolution of conflicts and in peace-building,
and stressing the importance of their equal
participation and full involvement in all efforts
for the maintenance and promotion of peace and
security, and the need to increase their role in
decision-making with regard to conflict
prevention and resolution.
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• Security Council Resolution 1325
• Stresses the importance of
• The full involvement of women in all aspects of
  promoting and maintaining peace and security.
  
• The need to increase their role in
  decision-making.
• Specialized training for pecekeepers on the
  protection, special needs and human rights of
  women and children.
• Greater representation of women at all levels.

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In conclusion With each passing day, the world
is becoming more complex and interdependent. The
problems we are facing cannot be resolved by the
efforts of only half the population of the globe.
Both men and women must work together as equal
partners in order to ensure a sustainable future
for the generations to come. Perez de Cuellar,
UN Secretary-General, March 1990