Make Every Woman Count
5. WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY The year 2020 was a global milestone in terms of the women, peace and security agenda as it marked the 20th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325.
5.1. Issue Analysis The year 2020 was a global milestone in terms of the women, peace and security agenda as it marked the 20th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, adopted in 2000. Nine more resolutions have been passed since then to address the role and interests of women in conflict, peace-building and security: 1820 (2009), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2010), 1960 (2011), 2106 (2013), 2122 (2013), 2242 (2015), 2467 (2019) and 2493 (2019).1634 Of concern is the participation of women in decision-making around conflict prevention, conflict management and post-conflict recovery. Events around these phases have a significant impact on women’s rights in the sphere of socioeconomic development, transitional justice, security sector administration and governance. During the Decade, in 2015, the UNSC adopted Resolution 2250, recognising the positive contribution of (women) youth in efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. Conflicts in Africa have taken on an intrastate or interstate character, involving non-state actors and state entities. In 2011, 24% of the world’s conflicts were in sub-Saharan Africa and 11 of the world’s top countries at risk of conflict were located in Africa.1635 Despite the AU’s sustained efforts, by November 2017 there were 15 conflict situations on the continent.1636 Notably, in all 15, sex trafficking and child sex trafficking were common.1637 The Global Peace Index 2020 ranks six African countries among its bottom 11 least peaceful – Sudan, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Libya, Somalia and South Sudan (in this order).1638 Studies show that, when women are involved in peace processes, the results are 35% more likely to last 15 years1639 and that, when women’s organisations are involved in making peace agreements, they are 64% less likely to fail.1640 Despite this, most peace negotiations and mediations largely exclude women’s participation, experiences and perspectives. This is reflective of broader societal patterns of male-dominated decision-making. Even combatants’ negotiating teams tend to have few or no female combatants.1641 Furthermore, some negotiations and mediations are conducted privately, shutting out women. Traditional patriarchal institutions
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