By Jose de Vries, IFOR 2010

In recent years, there have been rapid developments in international laws that address women, peace and security issues. Following the adoption of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in 2000, UNSCR 1820, which addresses the issue of sexual violence in conflict was passed in 2008. In September 2009, UNSCR 1888 was adopted to further strengthen the ability of the UN to address the problem of sexual violence in conflict-affected situations – particularly its use as a weapon of war. Soon after, in October 2009 UNSCR 1889 was passed to further support women’s active involvement in peace negotiations, post-conflict peace building and reconstruction.

Despite this, there are only 18 national action plans on UNSCR 1325. UNSCR 1820 and the ensuing resolutions 1888 and 1889 are hardly known outside of the UN and international development circle. Women’s participation in formal peace negotiations is minimal. Women’s specific needs in refugee camps and in efforts around Demobilization, Disarmament, Reintegration, Reconstruction and Repatriation are still largely unmet. Overall, the progress in UNSCR 1325 implementation has been slow and inconsistent.

The 10th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 – October 2010 – presents a critical opportunity to review and reflect on achievements to date as well as persistent gaps in implementation. More importantly, it is an occasion to demand greater accountability and propose timely and relevant actions that Member States, the UN, civil society and other stakeholders should take to fully implement the resolution.

The GNWP contributes to the call for greater accountability by all actors particularly national governments through its in-country and global monitoring 1325 project. This project aims to build the capacity of women’s organizations in monitoring policy implementation; develop/identify a global set of indicators and benchmarks for monitoring progress and results of 1325 implementation; and conduct in-country monitoring from the perspectives of women’s groups and civil society. GNWP members from Afghanistan, Burundi, Colombia, Fiji, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nepal, Netherlands, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka and Uganda have committed to participate in the in-country and global monitoring of UNSCR 1325.

Late February 2010, the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) brought together these women activists to develop this global set of indicators. On behalf of IFOR’s Women Peacemakers Program (WPP), Information Officer José de Vries, participated in this meeting. The WPP is part of the Dutch 1325 Working Group on UNSCR 1325. Members of the Dutch 1325 Working Group will jointly participate in this in country monitoring project.

Please find the list of core Indicators for the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders’ 1325 In-country Monitoring below.

PARTICIPATION
1. Index of women’s participation in governance:
• percentage of women in senior positions in cabinet/council of ministers,
• percentage of women in senior positions in ministries/departments,
• percentage of women in senior positions in parliament,
• percentage of women in senior positions in local governance structures.

2. Percentage of women in peace negotiating teams.

3. Index of Women’s Participation in the Justice & Security Sector:
• percentage of women in military, disaggregated at all levels.
• percentage of women in police, disaggregated at all levels.
• percentage of women in judiciary, disaggregated at all levels.

4. Percentage of women in peacekeeping missions, disaggregated at all levels.

5. Number and percentage of women participating in each type of constitutional or legislative review (including Security Sector Review)

6. Percentage of CSOs in Task Forces on SCR 1325 and 1820 (out of total Task Force members).

PREVENTION AND PROTECTION
7. Number of SGBV cases reported;
• percentage investigated,
• percentage referred,
• percentage prosecuted,
• percentage penalized.

8. Number and quality of gender-responsive laws and policies (e.g. criminalizing SGBV and small arms control).

9. Number and nature of provisions/recommendations in the TRC and other transitional justice reports on women’s rights.

10. Extent to which gender and peace education are integrated in the curriculum of formal and informal education (including early warning).

11. Percentage of women (versus men) who receive economic packages in conflict resolution and reconstruction processes.

PROMOTION OF A GENDER PERSPECTIVE
12. Detailed breakdown of gender issues addressed in peace agreements (including e.g. DDR programs for female ex-combatants, support for survivors/victims of sexual violence).

13. Number and percentage of pre-deployment training and post-deployment programmes for military and police incorporating SCR 1325, SCR 1820, international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law.

14. Allocated and disbursed funding to CSOs (including women’s groups) marked for women, peace and security projects and programs.

15. Allocated and disbursed funding to governments marked for women, peace and security projects and programs.

16. Percentage of women’s representation as peace-builders and decision-makers in media content.

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