FemLINKPacific PR: Bravo to the Nobel Committee!

08 October 2011

FemLINKPacific PR: Bravo to the Nobel Committee!

It is the month of the 11th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women, Peace and Security) and member organisations of the Pacific Regional Media and Policy Network on UNSCR1325 - FemLINKPacific, Catholic Women's League - Fiji, Ma'afafine moe Famili - Tonga, Leitana Nehan Women's Development Agency - Bougainville (PNG) and Vois Blong Mere Solomons congratulate the recipients of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize which will be shared by Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Roberta Gwobee of Liberia and Yemeni woman’s rights activist Tawakkul Karman.

"The three women have been awarded Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of their work relating to the objectives of 1325 and the announcement augurs well also as an acknowledgment for the women's peace and human rights activists everywhere and serves as a reminder of women's vital contribution not only as peacebuilders in our homes and communities but also as nation builders, as equal partners in defining peace and human security,' said network convenor, Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, Executive Director of FemLINKPacific, and this is a timely announcement to also catalyse Pacific Leaders to enhance current support for the development and implementation of a Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security:

"There are many examples of the roles played by women in peace building processes across the Pacific. For example, in Fiji women have organized peace vigils, dialogue and provided technical inputs into defence reviews and national security policy development; negotiations across crocodile infested rivers with armed combatants and developing education methods for peacebuilding in the Solomon Islands; actions to bring about the laying down of arms in Bougainville; advocacy, research and education to encourage voting in Marshall Islands; efforts in Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and across the region to end violence against women. These are only a few examples of responses to conflict or perceived threats to human security that women’s organizations have developed and sustained over the years. Despite women’s productive efforts their participation in peacebuilding, post-conflict recovery and efforts to enhance the oversight and accountability of the security sector is still a matter for debate. Women still struggle to be heard at the negotiating table in leadership roles and are not given sufficient recognition and resources to do their work."

The network also acknowledges the legacy of other peace activists who have paved the way for the work which continues today for peace with justice including the late Amelia Rokotuivuna of Fiji and the late Professor Dr Wangari Maathai of Kenya:

"Especially at a time when women and families in our Pacific region struggle to address the impact of climate change and associated environmental insecurities including the loss of mangroves and other food sources, the loss of access to clean water, as well as growing economic insecurities. Women must be front and centre in decision making for peace and human security."

Background:
On 31st October 2000, the UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1325 (S/RES/1325). It was the first resolution ever passed by the Security Council that specifically addresses the impact of war on women, and women's contributions to conflict prevention and sustainable peace. It was a watershed, because it demonstrated what is possible when the UN, member states and women's civil society collaborate.

The resolution signalled a shift in the role of women from victimhood to critical change agents in conflict prevention and management and peace building. This happened because it not only focused on the protection of women in crisis situations, but also called for the effective participation of women in conflict prevention, resolution and peace building; the mainstreaming of gender equality in peacekeeping missions; and called for the UN to appoint women into strategic positions related to peace and security. The focus of the resolution is on three pillars:
Participation – the important role of women in prevention and resolution of conflict and in peace-building and post-conflict recovery and the need to increase their role in decision-making.

Peacekeeping – the urgent need to mainstream a gender perspective into peacekeeping operations (PKOs) and provide specialised training to military, police and civilians as part of PKOs on the protection and human rights needs of women and children in conflict situations;

Protection - women and children, account for the vast majority of those adversely affected by armed conflict, including high level of sexual violence. This has a consequent impact on durable peace and reconciliation.

ENDS

© Scoop Media