Hill et al: Resolution 1325 and its Affects on the Inclusion and Protection of Women
United Nations Resolution 1325, as described in the essay “Nongovernmental Organizations’ Role in the Buildup and Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325” written by Hill, Aboitiz, and Poehlman-Doumbouya, builds on language and resolutions already established by the United Nations, with the goal of protecting women and girls during times of conflict and including women in conflict resolution and peace keeping missions. The resolution identifies that civilians, women and children in particular, are those that are most likely to be affected during times of conflict and stresses the need for protection of women and children under human rights law. It also notes the importance of the role women should play in conflict revolution and maintaining peace and the need for implementing gender and culture sensitivity training for peacekeeping missions.
Specifically, the resolution calls for equal representation of women in the decision-making process and accordingly, a plan to implement a strategy to do so. It calls for training guidelines on the protection and inclusion of women, increased funding for training, adherence to accords such as the Geneva Convention in regards to protecting women and children, consideration of women and children in future measures and resolutions, and studies on the impact of conflict on women and children. While the above certainly sounds well-meaning and useful, we must consider how the resolution moves from words on paper to action in real life.
Reading Hill et al.’s essay, it is difficult to ascertain whether the resolution has been successful in protecting women’s rights and safety. The authors speak to actions taken by nongovernmental organization’s (NGOs) roles in crafting the measure and later, working towards implementing the resolution. There were hearings, annotated essays and books recorded, testimonies, forums, dispersions of copies of the resolutions, panels, and working lunches. Again, this looks good on paper and allows academics to flex their intellectual muscles, but how do we determine the real-life consequences of the resolution?
One result is the inclusion of women’s voices and this certainly should not be underestimated. The essay does note the inclusion of gender provisions in reports on UN peacekeeping missions in a number of localities, including Afghanistan, East Timor, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It also mentions that the resolution has resulted in the inclusion of women in the reconstruction talks of both Afghanistan and the DRC. But missing from the essay is the result of these inclusions. Was input from and regarding women considered and put into action? What affect did the gender provisions have on the reports of peacekeeping missions?
Most likely, as is often the case with human rights, progress on this issue is slow moving and it will be a while until we see complete inclusion and consideration of women across all areas of conflict resolution, peace keeping, and rights protection. That being said, starting the conversation and officially resolving to include and protect women is an important first step.
