Voice of Women
Issue no. 302
4 December 2008
In this issue:
- Eight Years to UN Security Council Resolution 1325
Eight Years to UN Security Council Resolution 1325
By: Reema Kataneh Nazal
Translated by: Hiba Ewawi
Introduction:
UN Security Council Resolution 1325, was adopted late October 2000, but it is only recently that women on an international scale have began to pay more attention to it. Today, women see this resolution as a source of inspiration, that can be implemented nationally to advance women's positions within society. On another level, resolution 1325 is considered an effective agent in developing the role of women, in creating agendas, and in strengthening international ties between them, since the resolution targets women of the world.
The importance and essential dealing with the resolution stems from what it calls for. The resolution urges ''member states to encourage and develop the presence of working women, appoint more women in peacemaking and negotiations, involve women in national organisations aiming at conflict prevention and resolution. The resolution also encourages the UN Secretary General to implement a strategy that increases the role of women in decision making on all levels, and peacemaking efforts (assign women in peace keeping missions, and negotiations). It also urges the UN Secretary General to appoint more women as representatives, and envoys to pursue good offices on his behalf. ..''
United Nations Role in Supporting Women's Efforts
The UN has been persistent in holding international conferences, which give women the opportunity to discuss and share their experiences, to organise and bring forth what is new, as well as, what is needed. The international engagement of women throughout conferences lead to the ''CEDAW'' Agreement; 1979, which entails equality for women. In light of the World Women Conference held in Copenhagen and Nairobi in 1980, and 1985, the international declaration to end violence against women, called for by the Socio-Economic Council in 1993, found that violence against women transcends all geographical boundaries, social status, cultures and educational degrees.
Moreover, all these resolutions, in addition, to the efforts made by women's associations have contributed immensely in unveiling the inequalities women face all over the world. Women Associations, have also been a source of impact, and pressure, in demanding women's rights. On a national level, they integrate regulations accordingly, they request member states to reconsider legislations, and call for new legislations to empower women.
The issuing of Resolution 1325, is considered a breakthrough for the international efforts of women, and those who have suffered the turmoil of war, with its destructive consequences on women and humanity. It is also a breakthrough for women directly, as well as, indirectly affected by conflict, and those who are liberated with peacemaking abilities. What is more, UN resolutions have gained importance among women in general, and strategically among governments.
Women associations on a global scale, realise from first hand experiences, the value and role the United Nations play in highlighting the issues women face. Women associations acknowledge UN guidelines which are set according to socio-cultural studies of women from different regions across the world, and the United Nations continuous efforts in lifting various forms of oppression, which women face all over the world. Women associations also recognise the influential power the United Nations has through international means to implement resolutions, which are announced and followed up by global media coverage.
Resolution 1325, Women and Peace
The proposal of Resolution 1325 to the UN Security Council, was based on statistics and surveys indicating oppression among women. This oppression is of direct link to politics, military conflict caused by occupation or war, conflicts on a national, racial,or civil level. Furthermore, statistics clearly indicate that during times of war and military conflict, women are the biggest victim. Women and children form the larger percentage of civilian deaths during war, in addition to forming 80% of refugees around the world. Additionally, the destruction created by military force, fleeing of homes, and loss of the head of the family to death or detainment increases poverty women face. Statistics also show that women and young girls are victims to rape, committed by soldiers and armed men in areas of war and conflict. What is more, rape has been used as a form of vengeance, as well as, a mental strategy to weaken and degrade the defeated party.
From what has been mentioned, it is clear that the United Nations pursuit to further involve women in all walks of life did not come from thin air. Resolution 1325 clearly outlines the strains and abilities of women, giving them the right to participate in peacekeeping efforts. Even though, women are the weaker party in society, they bear the burden of running daily life during war, which is full of obstacles, they tactfully try to overcome. Furthermore, women have humanitarian power in the face of military, for example, Palestinian women, have been a constant victim to Israeli occupation and siege. Nevertheless, Palestinian women have come to the rescue of Palestinian children and youth in the face of the Israeli army, during the first Intifada. In Rafah, women took to the streets in a peaceful protest towards a besieged mosque, where they were successful in breaking the siege. Moreover, seeing as women are a vital force for change within society, they should have the right to participate in political and social reform.
Importance of the Resolution Nationally, and for Women
First: The importance of resolution 1325 for the Palestinian Women Movement, lies in its content, and application to the reality Palestinian women live. One where they are nationally active in the struggle for liberty and independence from Israeli occupation, while on a social level call for equality. Resolution 1325, states that women be directly involved in peacemaking negotiations, national stability and security. Therefore, Palestinian women movements find in resolution 1325, a domain of rights to demand. It also gives the movements when applied effectively, new tasks, objectives, and different means to performing, as it will create direct political contact with the Israeli occupation. This is part of the resolution; implementing the role of women in peacemaking and stability, thus, drastically excelling their role.
Second: Resolution 1325 covers a large geographical scale, spanning across all member states of the United Nations, which gives it additional force when applied accordingly. The resolution in theory is strong, as it is backed up by women in areas of conflict, as well as, those living in regions of peace and stability. Therefore, when enforced, the resolution should result in a two way path for women in the free world. Whereby, some will take on the responsibilities of showing solidarity with women in areas of conflict, while others are in charge of internal domestic issues.
Third: The resolution's geographical stretch, will allow, women to network and form allies. Resolution 1325 will open doors for solidarity, and conduction of joint projects, between women in similar situations across nations. The resolution, also allows women as individuals or part of associations, to network, in order to assure its proper implementation. Additionally, it will create a united voice for women in demanding, peace, and democratic rights.
Interest of Palestinian Women in Resolution 1325
In Palestine, women have paid a high price due to military conflict, and the brutal nature of the Israeli occupation. It has resulted in the loss of 340 female martyrs, in the past eight years, that is from the start of the second Intifada, which coincides with the announcement, of resolution 1325 on 31/10/2000. Furthermore, Israeli Occupation, has completely demolished 8300 homes in the past eight years, where at times only giving its residents five minutes notice to gather their belongings, and leave the site before demolition. The Israeli occupation has partially demolished a total of 70,000 homes, in the past eight years. The Israeli occupation, has also carried on with its policy of demolishing homes in Jerusalem, under the act of home owners having no official licenses for construction. The Israeli occupation has continued building its wall of apartheid and segregation. Consequently, the building of the wall has lead to the displacement of Palestinian citizens from their homes, which has direct impact on women in society. This impact is due to, women playing an essential role in creating and keeping strong family and social ties. Therefore, when Israeli occupation, uproots women from their home environment, forcing them to live elsewhere, creates psychological and financial hardship. This is the case for many families who have been split apart, by the wall of segregation, created by the Israeli occupation, which has isolated families to the East and West of it.
The injustice of the Israeli occupation does not stop there, the occupation has continued to confiscate Palestinian land to build illegal settlements. They have also detained and imprisoned 500 females in the past eight years. In addition, and with out any regard to the peace process, Israel has imposed 630 check points throughout the West Bank. This has paralysed Palestinian movement between different areas across the West bank. The checkpoints have witnessed the birth of over 60 babies, while being, the cause of death, for a number of elderly women, throughout the West bank and Gaza strip, since they form blockades, which prevent people from reaching hospitals.
Obstacles and Difficulties in Applying Resolution 1325 in Palestine
First: Palestinian women movements themselves have not done enough to encourage the implementation of resolution 1325. Even though, resolution 1325, will create a bigger role for women on a national and gender level, they have not highlighted it effectively. This may be due to lack of knowledge of the resolution and its content among influential figures in women movements. Consequently, this leads to the general loss of the effective presence of women in positions of authority.
Secondly: Israeli occupation prevents the implementation of resolution 1325, which was unanimously approved by the UN Security Council. Nevertheless, no consideration what so ever was made of the situation of Palestinian women, but, the resolution took into account women living in areas of conflict, in Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia. Moreover, the problem of international resolutions in Palestine lies in the following: Israel does not comply to resolutions concerning the Palestinian cause, and consistently works towards reviewing resolutions in an attempt to degrade their political existence, especially after the signing of the Oslo agreement. In addition, world political power, as well as, its distribution within the United Nations; post Cold war, tips the scales in favour of Israel, and the power of Veto has dissected the purpose of resolutions when they are related to Israel. Israel, also restricts the work of Palestinian women movements, such as stopping all efforts made by them for having observers at checkpoints (points of conflict), to help ease the struggle of Palestinian civilians. It should also be mentioned, that the Palestinian Authority agreed to observers at checkpoints, which was finalised by the President's signed approval.
On the other hand, Israeli women movements, such as 'Woman Against Checkpoints', 'Women Easing Struggles at Checkpoints', 'Observing Checkpoints', are allowed to monitor activities at checkpoints, as a form of application to resolution 1325. The Israeli Army deals with them as Peace movements, who are allowed to help Palestinians cross checkpoints, which is forbidden for Palestinian women movements. Therefore, how is a Palestinian woman going to be involved in creating peace, when she is not allowed to help people cross checkpoints, not even aid a women in labour to safely reaching a hospital.
Thirdly: The resolution lacks plan of execution and time frame, which subsequently sets no specific goals in achieving peace. The resolution, does not directly ask the adopting country to apply articles, it does however ask that, the head of state approve a women's committee to take on the resolutions responsibilities. It then becomes the duty of women's associations, to follow up with their governments, to ensure the resolution is applied. That is, to include women in security and political decision making, in negotiations, and in heading awareness campaigns, involving media to set light on resolution 1325.
Weaknesses of Resolution 1325
First: The resolution deals with war as a constant presence, therefore, even though the resolution offers an elevated place for women, it does have its flaws. The main negativity of the resolution, lies in the way it tackles the issue of war and military conflict, in that it acknowledges it as a definite state of being. This contradicts the role of the United Nations in sustaining a state of world peace. Furthermore, it is only natural that the resolution face criticism from women in general, including Palestinian, and from other countries at war. Nevertheless, it should be stated that resolutions call for peace, yet, there are countries at war insisting they are doing just that. Soldiers are deployed, occupation is enforced, creating instability in many regions across the world. And it is women and children who are effected the most, as it causes families to be displaced. However, Palestinian women should adopt resolution 1325, and use it affectively, as it is a strong tool in facing and showing the injustice of Israeli occupation, who has no regard for UN resolutions.
Secondly: Resolution 1325, was announced by the UN Security Council, whereby, in theory member states are bound to act according to its articles. These articles are taken from resolutions that state, civilians are to be protected in times of war. However, that is not enough to guarantee the protection of women and children from the harms of war, that can mean displacement, poverty, or even rape. Additionally, the UN security council is seen condemning countries who do not stick to resolutions, and at the best of times writing up reports, which do not end or penalise perpetrators. Moreover, in the case of Israel, we find the UN Security Council acknowledges the injustice of the occupations actions, but fails to prosecute. And on numerous occasions, the United Nations has pulled out in taking a stand to protect Palestinian women from the outrageous acts of Israel. Such as, the Israeli massacres against Palestinian civilians in Nablus, Jenin refugee camp, Rafah, and many more.
Third: The resolution has no fixed time frame or strategy of application, which is another negative aspect, in addition to the resolution being an elective choice. In light of this, each adopting country of the resolution can create its own agenda on a social scale. Nonetheless, if the resolution is to achieve peace, which is its main objective, a joint strategy between nations, along with the United Nations, needs to be drawn up, since peace involves a number of parties.
Furthermore, there is no doubt that Palestinians distrust and feel disappointment with the United Nations failure to enforce resolutions specific to the Palestinian Cause, some of which are over half a century old. What is more, double standards in applying international resolutions is evident, with America influencing world decisions, and being bias of Israel, in addition to interest in the Arab world. Thus, the power of the United Nations today, is limited to, and influenced by, the politics of the world's super power. This all weakens, the United Nations independence, as well as purpose.
Moreover, resolution 1325, is destined to face opposition, especially on a political, and national sphere. However, despite the negatives of the resolution, we are to adopt it, as well as, use it to remind the United Nations and its General Secretary 'Ban Ki-Moon' of its limited authority in resolution application. In addition, to remind them that they have failed in protecting Palestinian women, from the brutality of Israeli occupation, and inability to make Israel, who supposedly advocates peace, to comply to international resolutions.
Conclusion:
To conclude, it has been eight years to the announcement of resolution 1325, yet, its presence in women organisations is limited. Additionally, the resolution has not been adopted as a means to fight Israeli occupation, or the political double standards of the United Nations. What is more, no one in a political position in contact with the United Nations has asked for the resolution to be revised, in order to improve areas, such as, time frame and execution. Moreover, I do not know if any of us, our Foreign Ministry, or ambassadors have tackled this resolution with the United Nation's woman organisation. Also, if any woman organisation has addressed, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, of his responsibilities towards resolution 1325, or if he has published his annual report, which should include recommendations.
Finally, even though resolution 1325 has its negatives, and faces numerous obstacles, one should not give up on this resolution. Because, conflict continues, and women have not been granted all their democratic rights the resolution calls for. On the other hand, the resolution still needs to be highlighted by women organisations, and for them to form a union in order to draft a national Palestinian strategy to implement the resolution, which also serves national and social agenda. Women organisations should seize the ninth anniversary of resolution 1325, to meet, and create media, as well as, social awareness of its presence. Palestinian government officials are to attend, cooperation among allies and those with interest in revising the resolution is essential. Together, a strategy should be formulated and submitted to the United Nations, calling for the resolution to be revised or the addition of a timetable for implementation.
