Institutional reform and security governance

Responding to conflict

Non-proliferation, Arms Control and Disarmament

Gender & Security and WIIS

2010-08-29 14:47:37

Gender & Security and WIIS

Gender

There continues to be a need for enhanced representation and participation of women at all levels of decision-making. Also, awareness and understanding of gender perspectives in security - how planning, policy and implementation can affect men, women, boys and girls differently. Addressing this gender imbalance is achieved through incorporating gender sensitivity into the policy process i.e. recognising that the knowledge, experience and skills of both women and men are essential for peace and security, and that women have been ignored and under-utilised in this role.

Gender, Conflict and Security

To consider gender perspectives at all stages of the conflict-management cycle, including early warning, conflict mediation, peacebuilding, post-conflict reconstruction, SSR and DDR, means that the particular contributions of both women and men must be fully exploited. One also needs to take into account that females are disproportionately and differentially affected by conflict.

Regular gender updates on documents relating to gender:

Gender peace and security documents resource.

A listing of relevant EU, EP, UN, NATO, OSCE and other documents on gender, peace and security. Also lists European 1325 National Action Plans. Last update - June 2010.

ISIS Europe, medica mondiale and Promotion et Appui aux Initiatives Féminines (PAIF) are undertaking a 3 year project funded by the European Commission on “Political Participation of Women and Girls in Afghanistan, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo”, through peacebuilding and advocacy skills to participate in security policy. See here: http://www.medicamondiale.org/en/themen/title51/

Gender & SSR
Gender and Civil Society Oversight of Security Sector Reform - Roundtable training with the Gender and SSR Toolkit.
Funded by the European Commission Peace-building Partnership, DCAF and ISIS Europe conducted three roundtables in 2009 to train on implementation and use of the Gender and SSR Toolkit.
The primary target groups were EU; CSDP mission and governemnt staff responsible for the development of SSR policy and programming/implementation. Ultimate beneficiaries are women, men, girls and boys living in countries and region requiring crisis prevention and post-conflict stabilisationprogrammes.
The roundtables/workshops:
- strengthened the dialogue with civil society experts on gender and SSR, an issue relevant to the implementation of the EU’s crisis response;
- increased the ability of the EU’s crisis response to involve civil society organisations, in particular women’s civil society
organisations, into SSR processes;
- increased the ability of the EU’s crisis response to integrate gender issues into SSR programming;
- created a platform for exchange and policy advice for gender and SSR experts and staff of the EU institutions working on conflict prevention, crisis management and peace-building.

Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit. Bastick, Megan & Valasek, Kristin (eds). Produced by DCAF, OSCE/ODIHR, UN-INSTRAW. www.dcaf.ch/gssrtoolkit

Gender and Security at the EU - Implementing Gender Perspectives

ISIS Europe is one of the few organisations in Brussels working on strengthening and cohering the EU institutions and member states on integrating gender and gender sensitivity into security policies and practices. We also work to ensure long-term consistency in the EU approach to gender sensitivity in responding to conflict; to review best practices; and to ensure that gender is not forgotten once it is “mainstream”. A main tool to do this is implementation at EU level of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), which through its 17 operational paragraphs, covers implementing gender perspectives, increasing representation of women and addressing women in conflict in inter alia planning, decision-making, local consultation, financial support, peacekeeping operations & operations training, peace negotiations (including conflict resolution, elections, police and judiciary), protection against SEA and GBV, DDR, rule-of-law, refugee camps, mine action, and peace-building. In addition, the EU has caught up internationally and is strategising on implementing UNSC resolutions 1820, 1888 and 1889.

As such, ISIS Europe works towards:

Creating gender sensitivity through raising awareness within and across the EU institutions in order to further implement UNSCR 1325 (2000), UNSCR 1820 (2008), UNSCR 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009) and related documents such as: recent EP resolution on gender mainstreaming in EU external relations and peace-building/nation-building (2008/2198(INI)), for which ISIS Europe provided the background report Also the Council conclusions on promoting gender in crisis management (2006), the Council checklist on gender mainstreaming and implementation of 1325 in the planning and conduct of ESDP operations (July 2006 - this is being updated from 2009). The Council Conclusions on EU guidelines on violence against women and girls and combating all forms of discrimination against them (2008); the Implementation of UNSCR 1325 as reinforced by UNSCR 1820 in the context of ESDP (2008) and the joint Commission and Council document ‘Comprehensive approach to the EU implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 on women, peace and security’ (doc 15671/1/08REV 1).
Monitoring and critiquing this implementation by EU institutions (particularly in CSDP missions and EU roles in peace negotiations and post-conflict reconstruction) and by encouraging and advising creation of Member States' National Action Plans on 1325 and gender.
Working to ensure a higher profile of women’s role and women’s engagement in EU conflict prevention, crisis management activities and peace-building and the urgent need to include a focus on gender in conflict zones in all programmes and activities. Encouraging gender equilibrium in research, policy, dialogue, representation, participation, access and opportunity, negotiation, training and events.
Providing training on gender and security in the EU context (2007 - 2009 ISIS Europe has lectured on Human Security and Gender at the Baltic Defence College and the UK FCO.)

Council (of the EU) Handbook on Mainstreaming Human Rights and Gender into European Security and Defence Policy - Compilation of relevant documents (2008)

Gender Dialogue on International Security

The 1325 Cross Professional Platform is an informal linkage between EU institutions, governments, military, international institutions and agencies, academia and NGOs. It aims to provide a vehicle to enhance awareness, understanding and implementation of UNSCR 1325, particularly relating to EU missions and international peacekeeping. For more information contact Giji Gya.

You can subscribe to our 1325 Gender and Security watchlist here. Which provides updated on EU advances on gender and security.

Women in International Security, Brussels (WIIS)

ISIS Europe also hosts Women in International Security (WIIS Brussels) - an informal international network of women and men working in international security across all sectors that is dedicated to increase the influence of women in the field of foreign and defence policy by raising their numbers, visibility and enhancing dialogue on international security issues. WIIS members work on, and are interested in, diverse issues affecting international security, ranging across non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), terrorism, human rights, sustainable development, environmental security, and conflict resolution. More information www.wiis-brussels.org

Documents and Articles:

EU 1325 Gender List # 16- July 2010 2010-07-16

ISIS Europe's work on gender and security aims to ensure long-term consistency in the EU approach to gender sensitivity in responding to conflict; to review best practices; and to ensure that gender is not forgotten once it is ‘mainstreamed’. ISIS also produces a regular "Gender peace and security documents resource" update of gender and security in the EU.

Gender Peace and Security Documents Resource 2010-07-07

A listing of relevant EU, EP, UN, NATO, OSCE and other documents on gender, peace and security. Also lists European 1325 National Action Plans. Last update - June 2010

EU 1325 Gender List # 15- May 2010 2010-05-11

Conference Report: Women in the Peace Process. UNSC Resolution 1325: 10 Years On By Francisco Penalva 2010-05-04

EU 1325 Gender List # 14- March 2010 2010-03-12

Gender peace and security documents resource 2010-03-12

A listing of relevant EU, EP, UN, NATO, OSCE and other documents on gender, peace and security. Also lists European 1325 National Action Plans. Last update - March 2010.

Parliamentary Update (DROI Subcommittee) 4 March 2010 by Paul Sturm 2010-03-11

Following the meeting of the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) on 4 March 2010, this update includes the coverage of the exchange of views with experts on violence against women in armed conflict, with a particular focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

EU 1325 Gender List # 13- January 2010 2010-02-11

EU 1325 Gender List # 12 - December 2009 2009-12-17

ISIS Europe's work on gender and security aims to ensure long-term consistency in the EU approach to gender sensitivity in responding to conflict; to review best practices; and to ensure that gender is not forgotten once it is ‘mainstreamed’. ISIS Europe is one of the authoratitive organisations working on gender & security in the EU. This e-list gives a run-down of events, action and documents in the EU on gender & security.

Gender peace and security documents resource. 2009-11-25

A listing of relevant EU, EP, UN, NATO, OSCE and other documents on gender, peace and security. Also lists European 1325 National Action Plans. Last update - November 2009.

EU 1325 Gender List # 11- November 2009 2009-11-03

Gender peace and security documents resource 2009-10-27

A listing of relevant EU, EP, UN, NATO, OSCE and other documents on gender, peace and security. Also lists European 1325 National Action Plans. Last update - October 2009

Beyond Implementation – making EU SSR effective. ESR no. 46. by Giji Gya and Vibeke Brask Thomsen 2009-10-07

EU discourse and practice strives towards the effectiveness and efficiency in efforts towards crisis management and civilian missions. The majority of European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) missions are on Security Sector Reform (SSR), particularly dealing with police and defence reform. This article discusses the practicality from experiences and lessons learnt by looking at the perspectives that make SSR work.

EU 1325 Gender List # 10 - October 2009 2009-10-05

EU 1325 Gender List #9 - September 2009 2009-09-02

EU 1325 Gender List # 8 - July 2009 2009-07-17

European Parliament Study: Gender Mainstreaming and Empowerment of Women in the EU's External Relations Instruments By Giji Gya 2009-06-30

This study provides a survey of gender mainstreaming across all relevant EU external relations policy areas to give an overall picture of where the EU stands. While the study identifies a number of problems that need to be taken seriously, the general assessment is that the European Union has developed a relatively comprehensive array of policy documents and instruments now integrating gender mainstreaming and empowerment of women to its external policies. The author's main critique is that the EU approach to gender is fragmented across institutions and across pillars. Hence when recent developments and policies on peacebuilding, crisis management, prevention of violence and security-development nexus emerged, it was difficult to integrate gender comprehensively.

EU 1325 Gender List # 7 - June 2009 2009-06-10

Report on ESDP missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 2009-01-31

Background paper for the conference "From Commitment to Action - The EU Delivering to Women in Conflict and Post-Conflict - Implementing SCR 1325 and 1820 in EU missions: Improving immediate and long-term security for women", co-organised by the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union and UNIFEM, in cooperation with the European Commission. Authors: Giji Gya, Charlotte Isaksson and Marta Martinelli.

Executive summary for the Report on ESDP missions in the DR Congo, commissioned by UNIFEM 2008-11-06

Executive summary for the Report on ESDP missions in the DR Congo, commissioned by UNIFEM for the event

FROM COMMITMENT TO ACTION - THE EU DELIVERING TO WOMEN IN CONFLICT AND POST-CONFLICT

Implementing SCR 1325 and 1820 in EU missions: Improving immediate and long-term security for women

co-organised by the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union and UNIFEM with the Commission

September 2008

By Giji Gya, Charlotte Isaksson and Marta Martinelli

This study on mainstreaming gender into ESDP missions in the DRC, commissioned by UNIFEM in preparation for the conference on 10 December 2008 "Implementing SCR 1325 and 1820 in European Union (EU) missions" has been undertaken jointly by three researchers focusing on three aspects of gender and gender mainstreaming: in EU policy and institutions; internally in the mission; and mission interaction with the local DRC population and actors on the ground.

The study found that amongst some innovative best practices by Gender Advisors in the missions, there still remain challenges and a huge lack of dedication and resources for working on gender integration so that it becomes fully mainstreamed in ESDP. There remains also a problem of resistance and scepticism on the "value" of integrating a gender dimension in missions and Gender Advisors to date have received little political support from Brussels.

Full background reports, information and report from the conference available here:

http://www.unifem.sk/index.cfm?Module=articles&Page=ArticleShow&ArticleID=93

Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 in Kosovo - Lessons learned to inform EULEX Kosovo. By Sarah Macguire 2008-11-05

This summary is of a UNFIEM background report for the conference on 10 October 2008 in Brussels on "Implementing SCR 1325 and 1820 in EU missions: Improving immediate and long-term security for women" co-organised by the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union and UNIFEM with the Commission. It examines the unique case of Kosovo, where the ESDP mission is the first to have a full unit concentrating on gender and human rights in the mission. The foundations have been laid at institutional, legislative and policy levels for real progress in realising gender equality in Kosovo.

Council Handbook on Mainstreaming Human Rights and Gender into ESDP 2008-06-27

The Slovene EU Presidency and ISIS Europe are pleased to announce the launch to NGOs and civil society of the: Council of the EU 'Handbook on Mainstreaming Human Rights and Gender into European Security and Defence Policy' - a compilation of relevant documents (some recently declassified), guidelines and examples from CONOPS, OPLANS, MoUs, job descriptions and lessons learnt across ESDP and EU operations. Click on the link to view the handbook.

Launch of the 1325 EU Partnership - inaugural meeting report. By Giji Gya 2007-10-31

October 2007 saw the launch in Brussels of the 1325 EU Partnership, which is a broad network of people and organisations (across the EU, national and international institutions (in the EU), governments, agencies, military, academia and field- and EU-based NGOs) that provides a regular meeting forum for policy makers and actors to enhance discussion and understanding of gender perspectives and implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 [31 October 2000] on women, peace and security (UNSCR 1325), within the EU. On the anniversary of UNSCR 1325 - 31st October 2000 - this is the report on the first meeting topic: A briefing on operational strategy in ESDP operations - 1325 in action.
Summaries of speaker presentations by Lt General Vierecke, former Commander EUFOR RD Congo; Charlotte Isaksson, former gender advisor, EUFOR RD Congo; Nicole Reckinger, Human Rights Unit, Council of the EU; Anja Ebnother, Assistant Director, DCAF and Giji Gya, Programme Director, ISIS Europe.

Presentation on 1325 EU Partnership at the inaugural meeting. By Giji Gya 2007-10-11

The 1325 EU Partnership is a forum for policy makers, implementers and actors. The Partnership aims to provide discussion and understanding on gender perspectives and implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 [2000] on women, peace and security (UNSCR 1325) within the EU.

Introduction to UNSCR 1325. By Giji Gya. 2007-10-11

Presentation from the inaugural meeting of the 1325 EU Partnerhsip on 11 October 2007, to introduce the preambular and 17 operational paragraphs of UN Security Council resolution 1325 on Women Peace and Security, adopted in October 2000.

Briefing on gender in EUFOR RD Congo. By Charlotte Isaksson 2007-10-11

Presentation to the inaugural meeting of the 1325 EU Partnership
Gender advisor to the EUFOR RD Congo mission in 2006 presents a briefing on gender perspectives in operations. Presented at the inaugural meeting of the 1325 EU Partnership in Brussels, 11 October 2007.

Introduction to gender perspectives - SSR. By Anja Ebnother 2007-10-11

Presentation to the inaugural meeting of the 1325 EU Partnership
Looking at the integration of gender perspectives and issues in SSR, Anja explains that women are highly underrepresented in security sector institutions, within Western Europe as well as post-conflict or transitional countries. Also that mainstreaming means ensuring that security and justice services are equally provided to men, women, girls and boys (for instance through increased capacity-building to address gender-based violence) and that the policies, mechanisms and capacity is in place to prevent the perpetration of human rights violations by security sector personnel (for instance through a code of conduct).

1325 EU Partnership - inaugural meeting. Speaker biographies. 2007-10-11

The importance of Gender in ESDP By Giji Gya 2007-07-03

Nearly seven years after the first internationally binding agreement relating to women and security, and gender perspectives - UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) - how much has changed? This article examines implementing gender mainstreaming in the EU context of European Security and Defence Policy and explains why it is important at both strategic and operational level.

Gender and Security . By Aline Dewaele. 2006-09-01

Women and men are affected differently by conflict and, therefore, do have gender-specific needs during and after conflict. But until now the interests and rights of women have been largely overlooked and they still remain largely outside the power structures that make decisions and participate in peace processes.
Although, nearly six years after the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on "Women, Peace and Security" (October 2000), some progress towards its implementation has been achieved, a lot of work still needs to be done. This article examines war's impact on women, their role in the
peacebuilding process, seeks to identify what further progress is still needed and makes recommendations for further implementation of UNSCR 1325.