AWD Report 2020
1.2. Trends in Legal, Policy and Institutional Reform 1.2.1. Legal Reforms Countries in the Central African region experienced periods of conflict and instability throughout the AWD. The review has demonstrated that most countries have enacted various legal reforms concerning the participation of women in decision-making and combatting violence against women, both of which address the pillars under UNSCR 1325. In 2019, Central African Republic1662 and DR Congo1663 renewed their commitment to fighting sexual violence in conflict. Both countries renewed their existing joint communiqué agreement with the United Nations Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, from 2012 and 2013, respectively. Central African Republic commits, among others, to engage civil society, women organisations, parliamentarians and community and religious leaders in the prevention of and response to sexual violence in conflict; develop a multi-sectoral strategy to provide access to holistic services to survivors, engaging medical, psychological and legal support; and reduce impunity by bringing perpetrators to justice and protecting witnesses.1664 DR Congo’s list of commitments include training security forces in the prevention of and response to sexual violence in conflict; allocating a sufficient budget and resources to judicial and military institutions; and ensuring timely restitution payments to victims.1665 Women’s meaningful participation in peace processes has seen progress. In Central African Republic, there has been real progress regarding women’s formal participation. In 2019, fresh peace talks led to the signing of a political agreement between the government and 14 armed groups.1666 As a result of concerted advocacy campaigns, there was the meaningful inclusion of women leaders.1667 For the first time, four women were involved as formal delegates in the 2019 peace talks, including one female combatant as a signatory.1668 The 2019 political agreement thus represents notable progress for the involvement of women in Central African Republic, who have been instrumental in achieving
Figure 30 – Central Africa: Number of women peacekeepers contributed Percentage (%) of women peacekeepers out of all peacekeepers (men and women) contributed
peace, leading their communities and influencing key leaders.1669 The resulting 2019 political agreement contains commitments on behalf of all parties to reject violence against women and children and for armed groups to abstain from committing SGBV.1670 Reportedly, there has been continued participation: women continue to take part in formal monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance by all
Cameroon 118 11% Gabon 46 10% Chad 42 3%
parties, with a reported 17% women members at national level.1671 This is an improvement compared with earlier peace processes. The consultations for the 2014 ceasefire agreement were attended by approximately 35–40% women.1672 Additionally, the 2014 agreement was signed in the presence of only two women civil society group leaders.1673 There were no women signatories, mediators and witnesses in 2008 and 2011.1674 The inclusion of women’s issues within formal peace documents is also an important aspect in
Congo Republic 25 16% Burundi 22 3% DR Congo 1 25% Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and São Tomé and Principe were not contributing any troops to UN Peacekeeping in 2020. Source: United Nations.
fulfilling and protecting women’s rights post-conflict. In DR Congo, the 2013 outcome document between the government and the rebel group M23 contained a provision to “take into account the particular needs of M23’s female combatants.” The agreement also notes that amnesty does not cover crimes against humanity, including sexual violence.1675 Moving forward, the 2016 Global and Inclusive Political Agreement of the Inter-Diocesan Center of Kinshasa committed to free and fair elections with the undertaking to increase women’s political participation.1676
> back to contents 221
