By Fatima Al Ansar, Diplomat and Analyst
Although women often represent the majority of
those affected by conflict, they have historically been excluded from formal
processes dealing with war and peace. In times of conflict, the risk of
experiencing extreme violence when leaving one’s home or community to perform daily
activities is very high, preventing women from moving around safely and living
their lives with dignity.
Currently, young girls are used as weapons of war and
conflict in many countries. Women are raped, sexually abused, sexually
enslaved, and even sold in exchange for power during negotiation processes.
Despite the disproportionate impact of conflict on women, they are still
largely excluded from peace negotiations and peacebuilding processes.  |
| Fatima Al Ansar |
Women’s participation in peacebuilding processes has
not increased significantly in recent years. According to UN data, between 1992
and 2019 women constituted just 13 percent of negotiators, 3 percent of
mediators and only 4 percent of signatories in major peace processes. Currently,
women’s participation in state power structures remains limited, though there
has been positive progress in this regard. For example, despite the accession
of Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as President of Liberia, women represent only one
quarter of members of parliaments or governments West Africa.
Once women are
members, they are often directed to work on sectors related to social
development. At the legislative level, women are rarely Presidents of
Parliaments, few are in public administration, and the number of female mayors
or regional council members remains very low. In Mali, women’s inclusion in the
ongoing peace process has not yet become a priority, in spite of various
efforts by women activists, who organized themselves and lobbied key actors to
enter the negotiations, and were supported by UN Women and MINUSMA.
The world needs to pay closer attention to women’s
participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Peace will not be
sustainable until it is fully inclusive. The voices of all those who are
affected need to be sought out, heard and considered. Reform is needed at all
levels and sectors, and must encompass the political, cultural, social and
economic realms. For instance, political reform can serve to e advance women’s
integration in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, such as UN Resolution1325
(adopted October 31, 2000) which recognizes the essential role women play in
peace, security, development and human rights. This Resolution has been
accompanied by eight subsequent resolutions on women, peace and security,
namely: 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009), 1960 (2010), 2106 (2013), 2122
(2013), 2242 (2015), 2467 (2019); as well as the related Resolutions 2250
(2015) and 2419 (2108) on youth, peace and security.
While solutions are a key step, the
implementation of those resolutions is essential. Stakeholders must be made
accountable, as well as provided with strategies to implement those resolutions
already passed related to women, peace, and security. For instance, women’s
participation in peace negotiations in Mali is still extremely low, despite all
of the existing programs to support UN Resolution 1325. As of today, women
in Mali have been underrepresented, if involved at all, in the mechanisms for
implementing and monitoring the peace agreement. Many women have expressed
frustration about their continued exclusion from the peace process.
Implementation mechanisms include the Agreement Monitoring Committee (CSA), the
Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Commission, the National
Council on Security Sector Reform (SSR), and the Truth, Justice and
Reconciliation Commission (CVJR). On average, women’s participation in these
mechanisms rests at approximately 3% On January 22 and 23, 2020 the
Ministry of Cohesion, Reconciliation and National Peace organized an intensive
workshop with women leaders to discuss the concrete steps to include women in
the monitoring of peace agreements and peacebuilding in general. In achieving
this, Mali will be taking a big step towards sustainable peace.
We must create a culture of women peacebuilders by
changing mindsets and expectations around women’s role in peacebuilding. This
can be done by actively communicating with people living in areas affected by
conflict about the crucial role of women peacebuilders, as well as including
them in different local dialogues and peacebuilding activities. Additionally,
an emphasis on the economic empowerment of women is a crucial aspect of
peacebuilding efforts and challenges. The UN Secretary General pointed out in
his report on women’s participation in peacebuilding that women’s economic
activity not only contributes to durable peace, but greater female
participation in the workforce is also a guarantee for their insertion into,
and long-term participation in, the public and political sphere.
In conclusion, one of the world’s biggest issues today
is how to restore peace after years of conflict and war. The response to this
must include our women and girls. It is crucial to try new strategies of
addressing peace in our communities, and to make sure that women are leaders of
peacemaking processes and a core part of the decisions regarding women in areas
of conflict. Peace depends on how we treat and integrate women and girls in our
societies. We should immediately provide women and girls with the
space and opportunities to participate fully in peacemaking from beginning to
the end. When we empower women, we empower our nation and build lasting peace in
our societies.
- Fatima Al Ansar,
Diplomat and Analyst, Head of Mission at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation at the Center for Strategic Studies Mali.
Culled from: Horasis, the Global Visions Community
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