WOMEN AND SECURITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY
HELLENIC UNION FOR ATLANTIC AND EUROPEAN COOPERATION
“WOMEN AND SECURITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY”
RESOLUTION UN 1325 – 10 YEARS LATER
Athens, 20-21/12/2010
Anna Karamanou – former Member of the European Parliament
Better late than never! I consider the NATO resolution 381 of October 16, 2010, very important, as it incorporates UN resolution 1325 regarding the role of women in peace and security into its new strategy, as well as into the policies and practices of the Alliance. It would be a blessing if the Alliance were to become active in implementing this long-suffering resolution, which was unanimously adopted in October 2000 but has essentially remained inactive in practice. It took tragic events, such as the targeted rapes of women in Eastern Congo and the launching of toxic substances at the faces of Afghan girls who dared to go to school, for public opinion, the EU, the UN, and NATO to be sensitized.
The anniversary of the 10 years since the adoption of Resolution 1325 gives us the opportunity to evaluate its implementation to date. The facts show that minimal progress has been made in combating sexual violence, impunity, and the systematic exclusion of women from crisis management and building security and stability. Issues related to the trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children, reproductive health, and accountability for perpetrators continue to be marginalized. As Donald Steinberg (30.06.10), former advisor to Clinton on international security crises, emphasizes, warring factions often begin peace processes by granting amnesty to one another for horrific crimes committed during the war, that is, armed men forgive other armed men for crimes against women. Unfortunately, strategic decisions are made without regard for the content of international organizations’ resolutions on women’s rights.
NATO undoubtedly plays an important role in managing international crises, and thus its role in implementing resolutions is critical so that they do not remain merely on paper. As is well known, NATO employs 150,000 men and women in crisis management in many countries, such as Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, North Africa, etc. In these interventions, the active presence of women and the integration of the gender dimension are significant variables in order to create the necessary trust relationships with civil society, address the impacts of conflicts on women, and include them in negotiations for conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
It is a fact that since 2007 NATO has been active in implementing 1325, resulting in a significant increase in the participation of women in political personnel, advisors, as well as in its planning and business activities in recent years. However, despite some successes, the implementation of 1325 lags in all areas. Therefore, it is finally necessary for both NATO and all member countries of the Alliance to mobilize for its implementation with an ambitious action program that will include specific measures and timelines. The European strategy of gender-mainstreaming shows the way and the method: integrating the principles and values of 1325 into all policies, programs, relations with civil society, and the daily life of the Alliance.
NATO needs to undertake diplomatic initiatives to identify best practices and promote collaborations with the UN, the EU, and the OECD, in order to highlight the important role of women in society, culture, and public life. It is also essential to strengthen existing international criminal law, so that there is no impunity for violence against women and children, especially in times of crisis. NATO would also be very helpful in developing training seminars on human rights and the role of women in crisis management for diplomats and members of missions, whether political or military, and to promote informational campaigns for 1325 as well as its own 381.
The European Parliament, with a report from the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, in a timely manner, already from October 2000, with fresh memories of the atrocities and the use of rape as a weapon of war in the former Yugoslavia, Sudan, and Liberia, , Uganda, Peru, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Somalia, Rwanda, Bangladesh, Liberia, Sierra Leone to Japan, as well as sexual violence by blue helmets, prepared a report condemning the systematic rapes of women, forced pregnancies, sexual slavery, and all other forms of violence related to gender, in situations of armed conflict. The Greek Presidency of the EU in 2003 also urged member states to promote the equal participation of women in diplomatic conflict resolution initiatives and reconstruction at all levels.
Regarding the national action programs, for which the UN has been calling since 2004, only 24 countries have developed such programs (Greece is not among them). A Greek 5-year National Action Plan should involve the Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Education, Defense, Justice, Development, Citizen Protection, the General Secretariat for Equality, NGOs, individuals, and organizations with knowledge and experience in the field, such as Amnesty International, ELIAMEP, and KEDE. It is obvious that it is necessary to utilize the entire national and international legal arsenal and human resources for gender equality, migration, and asylum.
The National Action Program can be structured based on thematic units: 1/Prevention of violence, 2/participation and representation of women at all levels of decision-making (gender mainstreaming), 3/protection of human rights 4/humanitarian and development aid. A coordination and supervision mechanism is also necessary, always under the responsibility of the General Secretariat for Equality.
I deeply believe that the incorporation of the gender dimension into international politics and the balance of genders in the distribution of power can reduce the tensions created by masculine hegemony and lead to the resolution of crises through dialogue and to the peaceful coexistence of people. Deep changes are needed in the orientation of international relations (and in teaching) and alternative, non-military security solutions. The dominance of “masculinity” and its identification with the strategy of power, under the current conditions of globalization and interdependence, constitute an explosive mixture for international relations, with a significant cost for peace and prosperity. We need a strategy for enriching traditional theories of international relations with the incorporation of gender, experiences, and perspectives of women, especially on issues of security and defense.
The challenge we face today is how to translate our sensitivity into specific policy, with concrete and measurable results. This can be achieved if we convince those in power to implement holistic policies and programs that will utilize the valuable female potential they possess. “Women are now watching and waiting,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence, Margot Wallstrom, addressing the Security Council (17/12/10). The 10th anniversary of UN Resolution 1325 is certainly not an occasion for celebration but to give momentum to its implementation. I hope today’s meeting will mark the beginning of significant initiatives in this direction.