Assignment 08 – Resolution 1325
In the reading “Nongovernmental Organizations’ Role in the Buildup and Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325,” there are examples of women’s efforts for reformation and acknowledgement. Though it is no secret that women have, and continue to fight for inclusion and protection, the shocking part of this reading, for me at least, is how long implementation has taken. “In 2000, the doors were open just wide enough for women to squeeze into a Security Council debate for the first time. Concerned women and men must now act on the words of Resolution 1325 to assure that the door remains open permanently,” (p. 1265). The actuality of ideas and languages associated with the resolution dates back as far as 1945, and inequality of women can be traced back even further, and yet, the year 2000, only seventeen years ago, is when the fight was barely fitted in with public and legal considerations.
Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury of Bangladesh assisted in the gathering and encouragement of women’s need for inclusion and role in matters regarding peace and equality development during the Commission on the Status of Women by stating it to the Security Council on March 8th, 2000. He also pushed for a session with the Security Council and encouraged amalgamation between women and support from members of that council, they could achieve this and more. Eventually, after several recommendations from The Women and Armed Conflict Caucus for protection of both female children and women, increased participation and inclusion in peace and security matters, sensitivity and advisement of gender and cultural issues, etc., the Security Council agreed to support two suggestions. First, participation in peace agreements would be motivated, and second, there would be a push for a special session regarding women, peace and security.
Neither of these recommendations seem to be concrete guarantees of anything, considering that they agreed to an encouragement of inclusion and motive to help conduct a special session. Though their efforts did lead to somewhat of a motion, women’s placement in these nongovernmental organizations have not been of full implementation during modern times– where obvious inequality regarding stereotype threats, social position and gender acknowledgement, and differential compensations in a workforce entirety are still evident. How could it though? The year 2000 is a modern time in itself.
Resolution 1325 was the adopted resolution of women’s voice and decision-making being admissible regarding issues of peace negotiations, security, and conflict prevention. Regarding implementation, a presidential statement was read by Brian Cowen that “reaffirmed its strong support for increasing women’s role in decision making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution,” (p. 1261). The second Arria Formula hearing on gender justice contained testimonies that led to an “encouraged the ongoing work of women for genuine justice, peace, and an end to impunity,” (p. 1262). In relation to the protection of women during times of war, this implementation of testimonies, personal experiences, and women speaking on being used as war weapons, do serve as an example of protection and recognition. Also, panels were sponsored, as well as video screenings, on women’s insights regarding international issues and peacemaking, which ultimately allows them to have a say in womens and girls’ protection matters in cases of war conflicts.
