CEDAW Committee adopted its 30th General recommendation

On the 18th of October the CEDAW Committee adopted its 30th General recommendation (GR)on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations. General recommendations are authoritative statements on the meaning and scope of the provisions in the CEDAW Convention with respect to the rights of women and the obligations of the State. It clarifies the application of CEDAW to emerging and priority situations affecting women.

Some key elements of this GR include:

-clearly identifies state obligation continuing in an unbroken continuum as it clarifies that States parties’ obligations continue to apply during conflict or states of emergency without discrimination between citizens and non-citizens within their territory or effective control, even if not situated within the territory of the State party.

- enlarges on the concept of due diligence in relating to human rights obligations of states by providing guidance to States parties on the implementation of their obligation of due diligence in respect of acts of private individuals or entities that impair the rights enshrined in the Convention, and makes suggestions as to how non-State actors can address women’s rights in conflict-affected areas.

- Covers all forms/categories of conflict and conflict prevention in cases of international and non-international armed conflicts,situations of foreign occupation, as well as other forms of occupation and the post-conflict phase, internal disturbances, protracted and low-intensity civil strife, political strife,ethnic and communal violence, states of emergency and suppression of mass uprisings, war against terrorism and organized crime, and other situations that may not necessarily be classified as armed conflict under international humanitarian law.

There are various other elements to this GR which we hope you will read in totality and use it to monitor and hold states accountable for violations to women's human rights during/post conflict situations.

http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/CEDAW/GComments/CEDAW.C.CG.30

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Seven Points road map to Gender Sensitive Peace Building process in Syria

Geneva II is a Log frame for Peace , Democracy and Hope. 

Seven Points road map to Gender Sensitive Peace Building process in Syria

As the international negotiation efforts try to pave the way for Geneva II ,the Syrian Women Forum for Peace (SWFP) considers that Conveying Geneva II a window of hope for democracy and peace in Syria, if only women were involved in all of its stages. 

The SWFP approach to peace-building depends on the full involvement of all key players of the civil society, firstly women, we strongly believe that without the women's full support and participation, no peace agreement can succeed or implemented especially on the level of the local communities. 

We strongly believe that women’s voices shouldn’t only be heard because they are the victims of the war, but also, and most importantly because women are the most effective peace builders. As men take up arms, women hold communities together in times of war. This makes them stronger and better equipped to play a key role in securing real peace. 

Based on the international experience in conflict resolutions and peace building, The Syrian Women's Forum for Peace believe that the following seven points plan can be a good road map for gender sensitive peace building process in Syria . 

Point One: Conflict Resolution 

All efforts should be taken to ensure more systematic action for women’s participation and the accessibility of gender expertise to peace processes. 

Points Two: Post-Conflict Planning 

Efforts should be exerted to ensure better institutionalization of women’s participation (and apply gender analysis to) all post conflict planning processes so that women and girls specific needs and gender discrimination is addressed at every stage. 

Points Three: Post-Conflict Financing 

The international community should be ready to increase the financing for gender equality and women’s and girl’s empowerment in post conflict situations. 

Point four :Gender-Responsive Civilian Capacity 

In order to meet the women needs and skills to be part of the rebuilding of the state institutions to be gender sensitive ones, civilian capacity will include specialized skills. 

Point five :Women’s Representation in Post-Conflict Governance 

More technical assistance to conflict-resolution processes should made available to promote women’s participation as decision-makers in public institutions, ( use of temporary special measures such as positive action, preferential treatment and quota-based system) 

Point Six :Rule of Law 

Ensuing and working for rule of law during the stages of the conflict will systematically promote women's and girls' right to security and justice. 

Points Seven : Economic Recovery 

Efforts should be exerted to ensure that women’s equal involvement as participants and beneficiaries in local-development, employment-creation, frontline service delivery in post conflict situation. 

Syrian Women's Forum for Peace 

Damascus- Syria 

Tel: +963 11 27 72 334 

Mob: +963 9557 1 11 22 

Email: women_syrian@yahoo.com 

www.facebook.com/syrianwmp

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