The role of women in the process of sustainable peace; one step forward, two steps back.

On October 27, 2017, the annual meeting of the United Nations Security Council on “Women, Peace, and Security” was held under the chairmanship of the French representative at the United Nations. These negotiations took place on the eve of the seventeenth anniversary of the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000 and subsequent resolutions on the role of women in preventing international conflicts and the importance of women’s participation in peace negotiations and post-war reconstruction.

A summary of the objectives of these negotiations, which were attended by civil society and representatives of women’s organizations – especially from countries involved in conflicts and wars – was presented to the members of the Security Council by the representative of France. An important point that was addressed in these negotiations was the huge gap between these resolutions and resolutions and the track record of governments in implementing their international commitments, which they have signed.

While public and collective awareness at the global level regarding the importance of women’s presence and their special role in promoting sustainable peace has increased, there are still serious obstacles in various areas such as women’s participation, protection and responsibility in terms of women’s security, and addressing gender-based violence and managing inclusive processes in the context of war. These obstacles pose a threat to women in terms of military occupation, military intervention, and other aspects of international conflicts.

In these negotiations, it has been repeatedly mentioned that under the banner of policies against terrorism and war, civil society and women’s organizations have been weakened and the “civil society space” has become increasingly limited. The Executive Director of the Women Peacemaker Program pointed out that although significant progress has been made in the past 17 years, the potential role of women in global peace and security has not been able to become a reality; because feminist movements and peace activists are constantly faced with systematic attacks and various threats, and civil society has a weak presence in the discourse of global peace and security. Furthermore, while large military budgets gradually push human society towards the brink of armed conflicts, the security of civil society has decreased and women’s rights defenders and peace activists are being harassed, oppressed, imprisoned, and even targeted.

In these negotiations, reference was also made to the rich literature on the role of women in global peace and security. Social research shows that when women are present in peace negotiations, peace agreements have a 35% higher chance of lasting for at least 15 years. Studies also suggest that women are more successful in bridging religious, ethnic, and political divides and as a group that has been subjected to various forms of oppression, they are quicker to identify and address manifestations of violence and conflicts compared to other social groups. Additionally, due to the limitations placed on women in the public sphere, they have been more successful in finding solutions beneath the surface of the public space. International institutions’ research also emphasizes that in matters of development, peacebuilding, and post-conflict reconstruction, women are more effective in utilizing humanitarian aid for their communities and environment, and channeling these aids towards women’s institutions leads to better and more effective investment in development and post-war recovery.

Despite all this literature, research by academic institutions and global women’s organizations, they are deprived of the opportunity to participate and are not present at the negotiating table.

In more than 585 peace agreements during the years 1990-2010, only in 92 cases was the issue of “women” specifically addressed. From 2011-1992, women made up less than 4% of the signatories of peace agreements and less than 10% were present at the negotiating table. In fact, when key decisions regarding security and implementing justice for women, youth, and children – who make up 80% of the 65 million people affected by war and local conflicts – are made, half of humanity is not present.

What is the significance of Resolution 1325 of the Security Council?

Resolution 1325 was adopted by the Security Council in 2000. The adoption of this resolution by the Security Council is a comprehensive framework for the role of women in maintaining peace and international security. This resolution is an important international document on the importance and key role of women, the importance of women’s presence and participation in the process of achieving peace and security, providing humanitarian assistance and actions, and activities related to peacebuilding and justice for those who have been subjected to gender-based violence.

Following the approval of this resolution, other resolutions were issued by the Security Council to review and address the shortcomings of the 2000 resolution. It is worth noting that the “Beijing Platform for Action”, which is the final document of the World Conference on Women in Beijing, addresses 12 priorities for women at the global level. Resolution 1325 is one of these priorities, focusing on women, peace, and security. The continuous efforts of civil society organizations, women’s and feminist organizations, and human rights defenders in the field of women, peace, and global security and justice for women who have experienced violence have been on the agenda since Beijing.

Resolution 1820, adopted in 2008, is the first resolution that prohibits violence against women as a tool, tactic, and method of warfare based on gender or sexuality. This resolution emphasizes, for the first time, the direct relationship between sexual and gender-based violence against women during times of war, peace, and global security.

Resolution 1888 of the Security Council in 2009 addresses cases of sexual violence against women, including rape and sexual assault, and discusses the consequences of psychological, social, and economic violence against women and their increase in times of war.

Resolution 1889 of the Security Council in 2009 reaffirmed the provisions of Resolution 1325 and emphasized the mainstreaming and institutionalization of women’s participation in the process of peace and international security.

The 1960 Security Council resolution was adopted in 2010, emphasizing accountability and responsibility in addressing sexual and gender-based violence against women.

Resolution 2106 of the Security Council, in 2013, specifically and in detail addressed cases of sexual and gender-based violence and prosecution of these acts of violence.

Resolution 2122 of the Security Council, in 2013, emphasizes the role of women in the peacebuilding process and post-war period, and the need for the establishment of a working group by the United Nations to address the suffering and violence inflicted on women during war and provide humanitarian assistance and friendly support for the recovery of women affected by violence.

I will open the doors of civil society organizations to the representatives of the Security Council.

In the October 2017 negotiations, civil institutions and feminist activists and women had a remarkable presence.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in an open letter, signed by 390 civil society organizations from 98 countries, drew the attention of members of the Security Council to the demands of civil society and peace and security activists. The letter states that “gender equality, women’s empowerment, and support for women’s rights are key factors in development, sustainable peace, and prevention of conflicts and armed conflicts, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, political and security reforms, and sustainable peace.” The letter emphasizes that “despite 8 consecutive resolutions, Security Council Resolution 1325 and the annual negotiations of the Women, Peace and Security Working Group, and the existence of a rich repository of evidence and reasons for the importance of women’s participation in peace and security, the implementation of these commitments has been weakened by the government” and that the continuous presence and participation of women is undermined by political interventions, the rise of religious extremism and reactionary religious forces, militarism, and the growth of extreme right-wing tendencies

For example, in Afghanistan, the “National Action Plan” was approved in July 2015, but no steps have been taken towards its implementation yet. And this is facing numerous challenges.

In the current situation, only 11 out of 70 seats in the High Peace Council in Afghanistan are held by women; while last year, violence and intentional harm against women was effective and influential in the public sphere – including women’s rights defenders – has increased by 25 percent.

This letter also mentions that in 2017, when the UN mission’s mandate in Afghanistan was renewed, the provisions related to women’s rights and their participation in peacebuilding and girls’ education were removed.

One of the countries whose alarming conditions have been mentioned in an open letter from civil organizations to the Security Council is Yemen. In Yemen, there are truly terrible conditions. Conflicts and violations of human rights have caused another humanitarian disaster for the people of Yemen. Women and girls in Yemen make up 62% of the 4 million people who are facing severe food shortages. Additionally, the number of reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence has increased by 65% since March 2015 (the start of the civil war in Yemen), and women who are active in the public sphere and play a role in social life are at risk and do not have enough security. This insecurity is a result of the regressive beliefs of forces that seek to limit women’s roles to the private sphere. However, women in Yemen are at the forefront of preserving social fabric and promoting peace. They have not given up on their humanitarian work, assistance, and support for their fellow citizens at the local level and within

In Iraq, the “National Action Plan” has also not been implemented and remains without a budget. Even after the retreat of ISIS, women are still at risk and face insecurity, sexual and gender-based violence, and sexual exploitation, and are deprived of participating in the reconstruction process of Iraq. However, women’s organizations in Iraq continue to make persistent efforts to gather documents, evidence, and proof of genocide and human rights violations, especially against members of the LGBT community and other marginalized groups. This effort includes all the damages faced by all social groups who have risen against traditional gender norms.

Differences and war conditions have caused that out of the 65.3 million people who are considered refugees globally, 80% are made up of women, children, and youth. This not only disrupts the education of children and adolescents, but it is estimated that for every 5 women and girls who are considered refugees, one has experienced sexual and gender-based violence.

The open letter also refers to the role of women in achieving peace and removing corruption in Colombia as one of the global achievements. It has been mentioned multiple times in these negotiations that the Colombian experience should not be an exception and women should be able to use their special position, as in Colombia, in establishing peace and security.

One of the achievements that has been accomplished in the current year by the active pursuit of the international community – especially women – is the prohibition of atomic weapons, which has been seriously put on the agenda of the United Nations and the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to “ICAN”. This movement, at both the grassroots and public opinion levels, has successfully achieved its goal of banning atomic weapons and diplomacy after years of continuous efforts.

The prohibition of the use of atomic weapons by the United Nations, although the ban on chemical weapons cannot seriously prevent their use by governments in times of war, is a positive step towards holding accountable those governments that have used prohibited weapons and is a lever in the hands of civil institutions to pressure by the international community.

In women’s discourse, peace and security, the issue of militarism at the global level is one of the main concerns. Large military budgets not only jeopardize global peace and security, but also the growth of these items in national budgets leads to a decrease in the budget allocated to social-cultural services and the economic and developmental capabilities.

In 2016, the countries of the world had a military budget of 1686 trillion dollars, which had a 0.4% increase compared to 2015. The United States consistently ranks at the top of countries with the highest military budget, with a total of 611 trillion dollars in 2016. This budget accounts for 36% of the world’s military budget and is three times the military budget of China, which ranks second globally. In 2015, Saudi Arabia ranked third in terms of military budget globally, but in 2016, it dropped to fourth place.

Iran’s location

Iran has not taken any action in implementing the Security Council resolution. In October 2016, Iran participated in the annual negotiations of the United Nations Security Council on women, peace, and security, and issued a statement in support of these negotiations. However, it did not accept any specific responsibility or commitment. In 2016, Iran allocated 6.3 billion dollars to its military budget. Although Iran has been threatened with military intervention by the United States, it is also present in conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa, including Syria and Yemen. In line with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s gender policies, women were not present in international negotiations, including the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, while the other side had four active and effective women at the negotiating table.

Iran’s approach in negotiations regarding the role of women in global peace and security, especially in the annual negotiations of the Security Council, has been to impose silence and weaken civil society, harass and oppress women’s rights defenders, enforce discriminatory laws, violate women’s human rights, and show no political will to utilize the abilities and talents of half of the population for development and peace. Iranian women, along with women from other countries, will not give up on their efforts for political participation, presence in public space, and contribution to global peace and security.

The Evolution of Resolution 1325 of the Security Council and the Discourse of Accountability for Women Who Have Experienced Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Recognizing the Perpetrators of These Violences, Committing the International Community to Rebuilding and Rehabilitating Post-War Societies and Addressing the Harms Experienced by Women and Girls Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, Economically, and Socially. Essentially, it Continues to Create and Facilitate a Path for Recognizing and Acknowledging the Role of Women in Global Peace and Security, as Without Gender Equality, Sustainable Peace Cannot Be Achieved.

More resources and studies:

1. صلح و امن

   UN Women

2. معیارها و استانداردهای جهانی

   صلح و امن، سازمان ملل زنان

3. زنان، صلح و امن

   The translation is: “Preventing War and Sustaining Peace, UN Women”

4. Dear Permanent Representatives to the United Nations,

   We, the undersigned, are writing this open letter to express our deep concern about the current state of affairs in the world. As representatives of our respective countries, we have a responsibility to work towards promoting peace, justice, and human rights on a global scale.

   We are witnessing an alarming rise in conflicts, violence, and human rights abuses across the globe. Millions of people are suffering from the devastating consequences of war, displacement, and poverty. We believe that the United Nations has a crucial role to play in addressing these issues and ensuring a better future for all.

   We urge you, as representatives of your countries, to use your influence and power to push for meaningful and effective action at the United Nations. This includes advocating for the protection of civilians in conflict zones, promoting humanitarian aid and assistance, and supporting efforts towards sustainable development and poverty eradication.

   Furthermore, we call on you to prioritize the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the

   The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has provided recommendations for the Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, which will take place on 16 October 2017.