UN establishes expert group on role of women in peace and security

(March 10, New York City, Sri Lanka Guardian) The United Nations has appointed a group of independent experts to advise on ways to better protect women in conflict situations, and to ensure that their voices are heard in peace processes and that they are included in post-conflict reconstruction and governance structures.

The establishment of the group comes as the landmark Security Council resolution 1325 on the role of women in peace and security marks its tenth anniversary in 2010.

Among other things, the group – which will be co-chaired by former Irish President and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, and Executive Director of Femmes Africa Solidarité, Bineta Diop – will be tasked with assessing the impact of resolution 1325 on women in the context of armed conflict over the past decade.

Resolution 1325, which was adopted by the Council in 2000, stresses the importance of giving women equal participation and full involvement in peace and security matters and the need to increase their role in decision-making.

“Our advisory group is made up of individuals with long experience in addressing conflict situations,” said Ms. Robinson.

“We will be consulting with civil society organizations around the world and looking at a range of possible ways forward, including scaling up resources dedicated to protecting women in times of conflict as well as involving them more in building lasting and just peace.”

The group will also help identify time-bound goals and targets, along with measurement and accountability mechanisms to inform and guide the work of a UN High-Level Steering Committee set up by Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro.

Other members of the group are: Salim Ahmed Salim (Tanzania), Elisabeth Rehn (Finland), Lahkdar Brahimi (Algeria), Hina Jilani (Pakistan), Sanam Anderlini (Iran/United Kingdom), Thelma Awori (Liberia/Uganda), Swanee Hunt (United States), Sharon Bhagwan-Rolls (Fiji), Susana Villaran De La Puente (Peru), Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda (Zimbabwe), Zainab Salbi (Iraq/US) and Donald Steinberg (US).