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Women and peace and security
Liberia: Female Blue helmets from India
© UN Photo/Eric Kanalstein
Liberia: Female Blue helmets from India
Liberia: Female Blue helmets from India
© UN Photo/Eric Kanalstein
The United Nations Security Council regularly considers the role of women in peacekeeping and in conflicts under the heading “Women and Peace and Security”. In doing so, it is confirming that gender equality, participation and the protection of women are key elements of foreign and security policy.
The Federal Republic of Germany contributes in various ways towards the implementation of the keynote UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008).
Security Council Resolution 1325
In adopting Resolution 1325 “Women and peace and security” in 2000, the United Nations Security Council underlined the importance of the role played by women in peacekeeping and conflict prevention. Resolution 1325 calls for women to be integrated into political processes and institutions, into the planning and staffing of peacekeeping missions and into peace negotiations.
The German Government implements the Resolution’s content at both national and international level.
By adopting a follow-up Resolution on 5 October 2009, the Security Council underlined the role of women in resolving and preventing conflicts and emphasized the need for them to be more involved in conflict resolution. The UN Secretary-General is called upon to increase the number of women in the staff of peace missions and to include advisers on gender equality and human rights protection in the missions’ mandates. The UN member states are urged to integrate women more into peace negotiations and to take account of women’s needs when funding aid programmes. Germany’s Ambassador to the UN, Thomas Matussek, suggested in his statement inter alia that cooperation with local women’s organizations in conflict regions should be strengthened and women’s access to education and justice facilitated.
UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (31 Oct 2000)
UN Security Council Resolution 1889 (5 Oct 2009)
Germany is a member of a group of “Friends of 1325”, a forum for the exchange of information about the status of the Resolution’s implementation and for the coordination of joint positions and initiatives. Germany participates in the annual open debates in the Security Council and takes account of the themes and demands of Resolution 1325 in its work in all UN bodies, such as the committees of the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the Peacebuilding Commission and during its periods on the Security Council.
At national level Germany implements the Resolution through the principle of gender mainstreaming; all relevant ministries, including the Federal Foreign Office, apply the Resolution in their own fields. Since 2004 the Federal Government has reported to the Bundestag on the implementation of Resolution 1325.
UN mission in Liberia: disarmament
© UNMIL Photo
UN mission in Liberia: disarmament
© UNMIL Photo
At European level Resolution 1325 is applied within the scope of the European Security and Defence Policy. The EU has drawn up guidelines for the Resolution’s implementation in European peace missions and adopted Council Conclusions on taking account of gender equality aspects in crisis management.
Security Council Resolution 1820
Resolution 1820 is a milestone in efforts to stop violence against women. It notes that sexual violence is used as a tactic of war in conflict situations. The Federal Republic of Germany funds an expert at the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) to monitor and report on the implementation of Resolution 1820.
- UN Security Council resolution 1820 (19 June 2008) PDF | 39 KB
- UN Security Council resolution 1888 (30 Sept 2009) PDF | 50 KB
Project promotion
Since 2000 the Federal Foreign Office has been promoting women’s rights projects abroad. To implement Resolution 1820, particular support is given to projects which aim to improve the situation of women in armed conflicts. Other projects Germany promotes aim to end the practice of female circumcision, provide training for police officers, protect schoolgirls against sexual attack and strengthen women’s legal position.
In keeping with Resolution 1325, the Federal Foreign Office promotes projects intended among other things to strengthen women’s organizations, improve women’s access to the judicial system and involve women in peace processes.
Last updated 15.10.2009