Week 10: Felicity Hill, Mikele Aboitiz and Sara Poehlman-Doubouya
Hill Et Al: Resolution 1325 and its effects on the inclusion and the protection of women.
The 23 October 2000, Security Council adopted Resolution 1325. A landmark decision, Resolution 1325 confronted crimes against humanities. Many nongovernmental agencies relentlessly fought to shield women, children, and civilians from horrendous war crimes. Two things were happening, Firstly, major resolutions about humanitarian issues were to protect humans. Secondly women were inclusive in debates, decisions and society polities. Many nongovernmental agencies relentlessly organized lectures at the United Nations, Columbia University and they gave out pamphlets to educate the world. Internationally and nationally people views were transformed Nongovernmental agencies facilitated evidence about horrendous crimes as far as illustrated testimonies. Also, ministries about the sexual crimes in wartime societies illustrated. Clearly women were embraced to describe the atrocities. A women’s detailed description was necessary because they received the greatest sexual abuse. Continuously women advocated and they were incorporated into policy making. As Hill Et Al stated, Resolution 1325 shaped renewed lens thereby women were not undervalued, women were not underutilized and women were eventually placed in leadership roles. Nongovernmental agencies made an impact whereas they created social programs to safeguard victims from war torn societies. I do not deny Resolution 1325 was a necessary document: however, I believe a strategy to implement the policies was complicated. I believe it would have been extraordinarily difficult to prevent women, children and civilians within the chaos of war from being attacked. National and international government promised protection. But establishing safety in the middle of a war tends to be questionable. My point is the United Nations imposed a policy enforceable by law. Of course, any crimes against humanity I truly believe must not be tolerated. The fact that individuals are held accountable for war crimes after the fact is not enough. National and international policies must move further. Many third world countries punish women, children and civilians although they are sexually assaulted victims. Most third world countries have rigid cultural rules. Individuals are alienated who have been sexually assaulted. For example, any women sexually assaulted cannot find a husband. She is considered soiled. They have robbed some women, some children and some civilians of any happiness in life. We must move further to protection individuals from crimes against humanity. Women inclusive within the decision process was a major move forward. Consequently, national and international laws must drastically forge policies to implement more action. I question this written policy for many reasons. Women fought 144 years to be recognized as citizens. I believe a written document is not enough.
