Sources and Resources for Resolution 1325

“Sources and Resources for Resolution 1325: A day-long dialogue on peace initiatives”

Sovaida Ma’ani Ewing, author of Collective Security Within Reach (George Ronald, Ltd.), was one of the invited speakers at a seminar held during the 52^nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women sponsored by the International Women’s Tribune Center and Isis Women’s International Cross Cultural Exchange (Isis-WICCE Uganda) and hosted at the Bahá'í International Community offices. At issue was women’s participation in the peace-building process and Security Council Resolution 1325 which was passed unanimously on 31 October 2000. This resolution is the first resolution ever passed by the Security Council that specifically addresses the impact of war on women, and women's contributions to conflict resolution and sustainable peace.

Ms Ewing, an international lawyer now in private practice, holds a degree in International Law and European Union law from Cambridge University, spoke about the need to reform the Security Council, which, she said, lacks a clear mandate to act in urgent situations.

“In times of crisis, they must be able to act quickly and decisively and nip problems in the bud,” said Ms Ewing.  “It is time to move from a fuzzy base to a more rule-based approach” to peace-keeping.  In cases of genocide and ethnic cleansing, human rights violations, state-supported terrorism, civil unrest and infiltration of the state by organized crime, the Security Council should be able to step in and act, she said.

A rule-based approach puts the nations of the world on notice that there are consequences to their actions, she said, “…exactly as you would train a child; if you do this, then that will happen.” When the mandate is clear and specific, she said, they can be held accountable for how they respond.

Monica Nantege, national program officer for ISIS Uganda, spoke about a program of psycho-social support for formerly abducted children, the impact of art and drama as a means of raising consciousness, and peace clubs for youth which teach how to address conflict non-violently.

Harriet Musoka of ISIS spoke about Rural Women Peace Link (RWPL), a group of more than 100 grassroots organizations which began in Kenya in response to ethnic tensions.  They provide protection and access to legal redress for women who have been exposed to rape and domestic violence, and lobby policy makers about women’s rights. They also promote the participation of women in peace-building and conflict management.

Sidsel Aas and Lene Nilsen of Norway presented an example of linking national instruments to SCR-1325 with the successful effort to push for a national action plan in their country and intensify Norwegian efforts to protect women in conflict situations.