In 2000, two separate policy frameworks were launched: the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), and UN Security Council resolution 1325, which calls for increased participation of women in peacebuilding. Ten years on, progress on both remains far from what was hoped for. Furthermore there are insufficient links between the security and development agendas, according to a new report from Women For Women International, 'Gender, Conflict and the Millennium Development Goals'. Their survey found that women remain largely excluded from peace negotiations - in fact, they were entirely excluded as either signatories, mediators, witnesses or negotiators in five recent cases - Somalia (2002), Cote D’Ivoire (2003), Nepal (2006), the Philippines (2007) and the Central African Republic (2008). As well as calling for greater participation for women in peace processes, which might be seen as top-down peacebuilding, the report also calls for a 'local-level approach recognises that minority or marginalised groups of women (widows, for example) play an important role in peacebuilding and development.'
Based on literature reviews, questionnaires and interviews with southern NGOs, the report is short but with clear findings and recommendations that will be of interest to anyone working on either development or peacebuilding issues.
Click on the image to download Gender, Conflict and the Millennium Development Goals (pdf).
