This policy brief draws on four research initiatives to compile lessons learnt on donor engagement that aims to increase women’s participation in conflict-affected countries. These include 1) the costing and financing of the implementation of SCR 1325, 2) the operationalisation of SCR 1325 in peace processes, 3) on the inclusion of women in the current peace talks in Afghanistan, and 4) on the involvement of women in the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It will also draw on policy analysis on the Dutch NAP 1325 and other relevant policies related to women, peace and security issues.
The brief will identify constraints and examples of success in gender responsive peace and state-building. It will first identify the four key elements of a mind-set needed to achieve this goal. It will then look at lessons learnt in concrete cases of (1) peace negotiations; (2) DDR; (3) SSR; and (4) peace keeping – specifically those that included Dutch involvement. Thirdly, it will look at two important mechanisms to stimulate gender-responsive state and peace-building, namely through funding (5), and the National Action Plan 1325 Working Group (6). It will finally list and compile concrete policy options for Dutch policy-makers, Dutch MPs, and Dutch NGOs, to help maximizing gender responsive leadership and decision-making in peace and state building efforts.
Though this policy brief focuses on policy recommendations for Dutch governmental and non-governmental actors, it also contains relevant insights for other EU actors involved in the implementation of 1325.
Recommendations:
A single focus on women is very unlikely to change a culture of power that sustains gender inequality and the violent resolution of conflict. What is needed is a consistent two-prong approach that helps to set the conditions in politics and society for gender responsive leadership in the planning and implementation of peace agreements, DDR, SSR, and peace keeping missions. An approach that:
(1) supports women and men who are willing and able to be change makers in politics, security forces and government institutions: to be gender responsive leaders and take gender-sensitive decisions in peace and state building. And that simultaneously
(2) builds strong support for these change makers in politics and society by changing the culture of power into one that supports gender equality and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Such an approach should just as much target all international agencies involved in peace and state-building in fragile states: such as the Boards of the various multi-donor trust funds, the security and peace-building departments at the MFAs of donor countries, the staff members of Embassies in fragile states, and the civil and military staff of international peace keeping and peace enforcing missions.
Bringing gender expertise on negotiation teams is important, but has to be in the person of someone who has thorough knowledge of the local context and history of the peace process, and who has access to and strong links with women in the conflict area, including female combatants. International donors and agencies who wish to second gender advisors to peace negotiation teams are therefore strongly recommended to appoint local women who possess these qualities, and can – because of their strong local contacts and skills – count on receiving the necessary esteem of the chief mediator and key negotiators.
