í Assignments

The resolution 1325 was about women having peace and a voice during the times of war.  resolution 1325 was the first resolution to address how the war have impacted the lives of these women.  The resolution wanted women to be safe and not to have to deal with the complications that were brought towards them.  1325 stresses on the importance of women having full participation as active agents in the prevention and resolution of conflicts , peace- building and peace keeping .  They wanted women to be involved and have a voice in the security council.  During this resolution movement , the women and armed conflict caucus made recommendations to the security council members that had a list of delegations in regards to women and their safety.

When the resolution 1325 was now existing , it was time now to put the plan into action.  Different cooperation’s such as the NGOs, UN entities and member states shown that they are willing to ensure that women are a part of peace and security.   The goal were for women to get what they needed and that was financial and technical support.  People felt as if the UN system and the security counsel needed to move from words and start acting on what they said they were going to do.  The NGO ( working group on women, peace, and security) had much involvement with bringing awareness the damage that was being done to the females. They printed and distributed twenty thousand copies of the resolution, they even organized a panel for international women’s day.

With awareness being made about the women’s suffering , the security council learned that a women’s peace are not there , that right to have some kind of peace as a human being were just not available to these women.  Resources  were now being made for people to witness what was being done to these women .  Books , articles and analyses on womens peace theory plus the NGO, government were all putting different supplies out there for the building of  women.   Even the news were getting involved , they were providing the latest updates on women and peace. ” through consultations , group meetings and a generous grant from ford foundation, the peace women team brings together information from women and womens organizations working for peace around the world into a repository web site where communication is nurtured and accurate information is exchanged and made accessible.”  With all of this being done the change for women struggles should be heard and society will hopefuly make a change.

In the article “Nongovernmental Organizations’ Role in the Buildup and Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 by Felicity Hill, Mikele Aboitiz and Sara Poehlman-Doumbouya, the authors explained how the Resolution 1325 was passed on October 31, 2000. First the Security Council passed the Resolution 1325 on 2000 and it addressing women’s issues, the atrocities they faced in war time, and the inability to recognize them as agents of peace. Countless meetings had occurred between women’s organizations, NGOs, the United Nations Development Fund for Women for the successful introduction of the Resolution. Soon the NGo working group gathered a lot of support when arranging in discussions with important delegates from Bangladesh, Canada, China, Macedonia, Netherlands, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (1257). Even Ambassador Chowdhury offered his support for the fundamental role of women in peace efforts. The same year various entities. created the NGO Working Group on Women and International Peace and Security which strongly supported the participation of women in peace contracts and they worked together with UNIFEM too to talk address the action of women.

In the months of July, August, the NGO Working Group advanced significantly with its purpose by holding meetings with members of the Security Council and finally by September and October  all the members provided documents for the open session as well as women experts were invited to give speeches and shared their concerns to the open session just to mention a few of them Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika from the Organization of African Unity African’s women’s committee on Peace and Democracy, Luz Mendez from the National Union of Guatemalan Women and more participants representing other worldly organizations. Consequently, women’s roles was taken into account with the help of more than 40 speeches.

In a way the introduction of the Resolution started to make some changes such as the inclusion of women in the discussions about the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Also the Security Council made effort to nominate more women candidates as representatives to the Secretary-General or peace missions. The work of the Security Council improved thanks to the testimonies of diverse women who shared their painful experiences during war time from twelve conflict zones. This helped the ongoing work of women for justice and peace. Finally, these organizations still have a long to go working for women and justice, mainly including them at every level, only in this way the Resolution 1325 will be put into action appropriately, working accordingly with the support of international entities. This was an small step that took a long time to be put in affect.

Before I go into what this resolution is and what its all about, I think it is very important to remember the back story and history of this resolution. The reading tells us of all the things that different women from all different groups and to first be contacted and reached out to, to form a solid and united front. Many different women from all different countries all shared one thing in common and that was and still is the need for protection, to be valued enough to be included in making decisions for the women in their specific country and abroad as well as the reconstruction of their specific country. These women once they had come together then had to sit down and create a something that they all agreed upon, changed that they wanted to see happen, a list of demands almost that they felt the deserved at the very minimum. They then came up with resolution 1325 which they then had to basically plead to the Attorney General to not only hear but implement. Like most things the enthusiasm is high when constructing something that you firmly believe in and want to see happen but when you do the hard work and nothing is changing all of that energy goes down… if you let it. They knew that they couldn’t let this resolution fall and be forgotten because if giving the chance to be implemented it could really change the world. They held a hearing in which women from 140 countries gave an account out loud and after they their voices were heard the momentum picked right back up and was again being recognized.

Specifically the resolution is basically a plea to the Attorney General asking for women to be considered and for their opinions to have full validly when making decisions on conflict locally and internationally. This would have to be the work of the attorney general to secure that woman would be included and opinion valued in conflict resolution and prevention. They want to be given special representatives offices by the attorney general. They want to make sure that he includes appropriate, field operations include a gender component. The resolution is more or less about the importance of inclusion of women. Being excluded form political power will only hinder women and make, making changes impossible. Women have the full capacity to operate in government especially on issues that effect women the most. The resolution was the first step  to rebuilding the thoughts society has about women but now the hardest task yet is to actually make those in power to actually implement the change we need to see.

In the essay “Nongovernmental organizations role in the Buildup and Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325”, Hill, Aboitiz and Poehlman-Doumbouy raise many topics on the issue of women and children post-conflict situations. In their essay they document the account of numerous meetings held globally that touch on these issues. The Security Council discussed the development, equality, peace and the need for women’s involvement in post- conflict situations. The Women and Armed Conflict Caucus made several recommendations to the the Security Council: to create a report of requirements on the protection of women and girls in conflict and increase the participation of women in all peace keeping efforts, have an an advisor for gender issues on the Security Council and ensure that they include conflicts on all security, peace and gender issues, employ a broader range of nonviolent conflict intervention and prevention with equal parts of men and women, encourage on site trainings on human rights especially in regards to women, and lastly, establish procedures for drawing on the experiences, resources and expertise of people in civil society on the matters of peacekeeping, conflict and security, specifically women’s organizations. It was agreed upon to pursue only two of these recommendations. After that, there were much more enthusiastic efforts to have women’s issues take front and center in the next batch of meetings. The public gallery of the Security Council chamber was filled with women and they were happy to finally have a say on their perspectives of war and peace in that chamber, something that has happened in over forty speeches there. Several member organization have don’t their part in the implementation of Resolution 1325: Women’s Caucus for Gender Justice held hearings in regards to the Japanese military sexual slaver and other various crimes against “comfort women” during World War 2. These crimes include war over women’s bodies and using women’s bodies as war weapons. The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace, and Security did a lot of work to put the Resolution 1325 out into the world. Meetings and training sessions were held to teach people how to implement the resolution. The Resolution went on international alert where over 100,000 signatures were collected from over 140 countries that derived from women, their organizations and civil society groups working on peace including to end the impunity for crimes against women. The Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, Protection, and Participation Project carried out an assessment in regard to the protection responsibilities of women refugees and other gender equality issues.

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.

Resolution 1325 has been a God-send for women and children in third world civilizations in the midst of wars. Before 2000, women and children were told to be considered “bystanders” to war efforts according to the UN, who condemned abuse or attacks and attempted to give the proper protection in these times; however, they were not given the correct representation or people to enforce these assumptions. In Resolution 1325, women are integrated in the peace-making and rebuilding processes, given membership and leadership roles within the groups that develop these choices (Aboitiz, Hill and Poehlman-Doumbouya, 2003, 1255-1256). Now, women are able to pioneer new beginnings for their devastated nations and form a new foundation for their fellow citizens.
In the Resolution, the code specifically outlines for women to take more proactive roles within resolutions and to be given the opportunities to lead these movements. However, this is not always the reality that occurs. For example, women have been invited to help resolve issues in Afghanistan, but it has not been accepted yet by other leaders (Aboitiz, Hill and Poehlman-Doumbouya, 2003, 1260). Not only does the Resolution have to be passed throughout many of these nations, but the culture needs to shift as well. In many of the war-torn areas of the world, women are regarded as second class citizens or even properties. To equip women with these possibilities of pioneering a new culture, the UN must realize they also have to battle old beliefs.
Despite this negative factor, women have been able to influence others with their opinions and strength. Since the Resolution, a council has formed for an annual meeting, discussing the current issue at hand. In 2001, women congregated in this meeting to discuss the epidemic of using women’s bodies during war conflicts, which dates itself to World War II; in many of these cases, women are used as sex slaves or even human shields against the opposition (Aboitiz, Hill and Poehlman-Doumbouya, 2003, 1262.) The testimonies were well received, as many of the accounts were auto-biological in nature and offers a new perspective in light of war. The councils have had an overall positive effect, giving many women a voice they have never been able to obtain.
Implementing women into roles to develop and execute peace keeping missions has been one of the best resolutions the UN has made. Not only are women able to finally have a voice, but they are using authority and power they have never carried before. Thanks to this resolution, several areas now have female-ran groups who restock supplies and resources for their area; others work side by side with males, who are trying to assist in the same efforts. Women are given a podium thanks to the United Nations, becoming proud citizens of the nation they hail from and are rescuing in the same process.

UN Resolution 1325, unanimously passed by the UN Security Council on October 31, 2000, is centered around the security of women and girls during war and the post-war rehabilitation period. Authors Felicity Hill, Mikele Aboitiz and Sarah Poehlman-Doumbouy write glowingly about the ambitious aims of Resolution 1325, yet are relatively vague about the details – horrific as they no doubt are – of the victimization of women and girls when the inherent lawlessness and chaos of war takes hold.

The objectives of the resolution, as per the authors of the essay, range from a basic acknowledgement that women and girls suffer a specific kind of violence during war-time to providing women (who have been victims of gender-based violence) a voice at Security Council meetings to providing sensitivity trainings to key actors in war zones as well as to aim for a more gender-balanced Security Council.

This UN resolution – like so many other UN resolutions – has set some lofty goals for itself but is relatively meaningless because there is no way to actually force its implementation. It is hard to argue that demanding accountability from countries involved armed conflict should pay special attention to the protection and security of women is a bad thing. But, if it is merely words written on paper, then it’s hard to argue that it’s too much of a good thing, either.

When one considers that the US military which is involved directly or indirectly in nearly every armed conflict in the world (currently, the US is bombing 7 different countries, though, few Americans are aware of it) also has a notoriously (and shockingly) high incidence of sexual violence against women in its own ranks, it’s difficult to imagine that “sensitivity training” is going to do much when it comes to the people that the soldiers are supposed to consider the enemy. Beyond this, it is well-known that the US is the most powerful country in the Security Council and, thus, it is nearly impossible to keep the US in check.

I think the main implications of a UN resolution like this is providing political cover for the ongoing violence women, girls, and, really, everyone else endures during armed conflict – fights that are seldom waged for the benefit of the vast majority of society. The other implication that I see is that there could be some headway in terms of more gender-balance within the security council and tacit acknowledgment of women’s particular suffering. But, this, too, serves as political cover.

In the article “Nongovernmental Organization” Role in the Buildup and Implementation of security Council Resolution 1325 by Feliaty Hill, Mikele Aboitz, and Sara Poehlman-Doumbouya describes very clear the Resolution 1325 and its purpose. The Resolution was made to stop the maltreatment towards women and girls specially during war. It’s very clear that women’s voices, needs, problems, and ideas weren’t supported or heard by those in power, who are of course man. During war women and girls suffered the most due to the maltreatment, violations, sexual abuse, and gender based violence. Women and girls were targeted at the highest rates during war by armed group man. It gets more interesting when a little percent of man is helping to empower the Resolution 1325 and women are finally realizing that they deserve; equality, development, peace, and the urgent of others recognizing the significant role women plays in society. The implementation of Resolution 1325 was to ensure that women’s group receive a fair deal that consists on concrete, practical financial, and technical support. The Resolution 1325 simply represented women’s roles in society and protection. Going back to the beginning of the article, there was an interesting part; Sanam Naraghi – Anderlini caught my attention on what she believed. From my understanding, she basically said another document defending women’s rights and needs. However, she believed it was another document out in the world that have 50% of working or 50% of not working. At least it’s another document add it to the list that might help in the future. The Resolution 1325 was structure by three steps. First, the ideas and language in this document were passed through the UN system, which means that it directly occurs to the US system. Second, the international and grassroots and nongovernmental provided historically effects, information and analysis to the Security Council. Third, the DAW, UNIFEM, and NGO was possible and there was success due to the synergistic relationship that had taken many decades to establish. These steps were what helped the elements identify the experiences and expertise of women into the Security Council. In conclusion, in order to have results from the Resolution 1325 actions needs to be taken, not just words. The international community must ensure that women are included in every level of peace and security from all points of views. In the 2000, the doors were open enough to help women and put them into a Security Council debate for the first time. The resolution 1325 has to ensure the door remains open permanently.

In the article “ Role in the buildup and Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 by Felicity Hill, Aboitiz ad Sara Poehlman, the security council resolution 1325 ensured that women were included at every level of peace and security and protect them from conflict. The security council protected women and children from rape and other gender base of violence. They also recognized women’s roles as agents of peace and involved them in peace building in war zones. This provided a tour for women to become equal parts of the fence for the protection of women and girls during conflict in United Nations missions.

The resolution 1325 lies in the United Nations system. It was built on a document passed through the United Nations. Non-government so efforts have provided information to the United Nations. The security council and DAW, UNIFEM, and NGO cooperated with one another to create a relationship. This helped to bring women into the security council. The CSW debated the implication of the Beijing platform for action. This document resulted in the world conference on women and devoted it to women and conflict. The ambassador of Bangladesh presided over the security council and encouraged women to gather you need for their involvement in all matters. Women were brought into the Security Council to discuss the roles of women in conflict and peace and to help gather support from the other security council members on the issue.

Women’s participation in the peace agreement pushed a special session in the security and women peace and security. Meetings were initiated to focus on gender issues and advancement of women. The protection of responsibilities increase the knowledge of women’s response to violent conflict and peace building. And provided lessons about Roles of women in proconflict and reconstruction for women initiatives.

The reading of “Nongovernmental Organizations’ Role in the Buildup and Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325” brings into light Resolution 1325, which was passed on October 31, 2000.  A resolution decision that was place by the United Nations to tackle upon specific matters of importance that consisted on the preservation from injury of children (girls) and women during an ambient usage of mass weaponry; along with safety from the characterized negativity portrayed in times of conflict carried on by force of weapons, there also was an insistence in seeking cessation of violence and a deep urgency in requiring precautions taken during struggles of aggression.

Prior to the Resolution 1325, there weren’t positions given to women who could be taken into account for arranging terms of protection during periods of time where hostility and struggle was at its highest.  Despite of not having a formal female representation sounding out the points of trouble during difficult combative conditions of which worried many women, the opportunity did not cease from hearing revealing instances of whom women endured particular wicked behavior.

From voices of women whom shared their affected hardships vocally, emerged a collective perception from the NGO’s to bring into existence a set of detailed writings of which suggested to have a safe plan of action that would protect women and girls locally and nationally and internationally as well. Not only that, but to also have women engaged in cooperating in the makings of an arrangement that could end hostility, setting forth a state of tranquility, and sitting in meetings where they can assemble to dialogue the guards against guerrilla warfare.

The intentions of NGO’s effort in producing a result that meant a safeguard for women during the agonizing occasions of carnage, agitated the means of communications to publicize diligently in order for all NGO’s to work collaboratively in achieving the goal. It’s as if for once, after several ground proofing personal presences having expressed their accounts of the cruel condemned actions, that not-for-profit organizations have transformed it to be more obvious and a manifestation of which should be reckoned upon.

Once the independent institutions began to role the issues at hand, the following year of October 31, 2001, the openness of allowing women in being part of written agreements was a persistent movement. It allowed women to even further attain a voice in coming up with strategies for future events that pertained about aftermaths of unfortunate conflicts where females were the subjects of cruel inhumanity.