Gender inequality is a root cause of violence and insecurity.? Any conflict- prevention aims should include an urgent need to stop systematic discrimination and violence along gender lines.
Conflict impacts on women and men differently.? While both women and men experience trauma and violence during war, women experience specific trauma resulting from different forms of violence, including sexual violence, rape and sexual abuse.
Women have a crucial role to play in conflict prevention, resolution and repatriation efforts.? Yet, while there is a growing recognition of women’s agency in peace-building, they continue to be largely sidelined or ignored in all aspects of post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding processes.? Exclusion from these processes severely compromises the long-term success and sustainability of any peace or reconstruction efforts.
UN Security Council Resolution 1325 sets out clear guidelines to promote women’s roles in all aspects of conflict prevention and resolution. This commitment must now be translated into concerted action matched by increased resources to civil society to allow for the capacity building of women’s groups and advocates involved in peacebuilding.
The international community should support efforts to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for war crimes ? including those relating to sexual violence against women and girls.
