Posted on 18 November 2010
Canada’s Role: Enabling women to be decision-makers in peace and security matters
Senate Human Rights Committee Tables Report on Issue
Ottawa, November 18, 2010 – This autumn marks the 10th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 –addressing women, peace and security. Today the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights tabled its report entitled Women, Peace and Security: Canada Moves Forward to Increase Women’s Engagement.
The report makes twenty-six recommendations, highlighting areas where Canada and other UN member states can provide concrete resources, specialized personnel, and programming that make a difference on the ground for women in conflict and post-conflict states in three areas: supporting women’s participation in all levels of decision making in all matters pertaining to peace and security; building gender-sensitive peace and security institutions; and strengthening justice systems to ensure fair results.
As the Honourable Nancy Ruth, chair of the committee, notes, “Women cannot be treated only as victims of war and beneficiaries of peace. Violence against women cannot be curtailed unless women are full and active participants in society. Women still face obstacles because of economic insecurity, and limited access to education, training and justice. They still occupy few positions of leadership in civil society, mediation teams, national militaries, and civilian police forces. These factors hinder women’s access to the decision making table and their ability to play an influential role in peace operations.”
“The conditions on the ground for women in situations of armed conflict remain perilous and bleak. In many cases, a culture of impunity for crimes of sexual violence has persisted,” states the Honourable Mobina Jaffer, deputy-chair of the committee. “Justice institutions in conflict-prone countries are often hindered by limited capacity and resources, many abuses are not reported or investigated. Security sector personnel need comprehensive training to enable them to respond to the perspectives and priorities of women.”
The committee calls on the government to champion Resolution 1325, to ensure that its provisions are fully implemented by its Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice, Public Safety, and Development ministries, and that they are vigorously promoted in bilateral and multilateral meetings by Canadian officials, including Canada’s ambassadors to the UN.
The report and full list of recommendations can be read by visiting the committee website:
http://senate-senat.ca/rights-droits-e.asp
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For further information, please contact:
Mona Ishack Adam Thompson
Media Relations Committee Clerk
613-944-4082 613-990-6160
ishacm@sen.parl.gc.ca thompa@sen.parl.gc.ca