Author(s): Karen Barnes
2009-08-24

Men and women experience insecurity differently and do not have the same access to security provision. It is therefore important that any efforts to reform security sector institutions are informed by a context-specific gender analysis so that men and women of all backgrounds benefit equally from these processes. This paper will draw on lessons from a range of conflict-affected contexts to recommend practical strategies for the EU and other donors to support the integration of gender into their justice and security sector reform programmes. Three specific aspects or strategies for inclusive security have been selected as being particularly salient: integrating a gender perspective into the design and delivery of SSR processes; using SSR as a mechanism to prevent and respond to gender-based violence; and integrating gender into civil society oversight mechanisms for the security sector.

Author(s): Karen Barnes
2009-05-08

Despite several EU-specific policy commitments on integrating a gender perspective into peacebuilding, continued gaps in implementation remain. In addition to the lack of resources and political will, little attention has been focused on developing gender-sensitive indicators and monitoring and accountability mechanisms to support the effective implementation of these commitments. Without these indicators and mechanisms in place it will be difficult to measure progress and assess impact in turning these policies into practical strategies for integrating women, peace and security issues into peacebuilding. This paper therefore aims to provide guidance to the EU on how it could strengthen the impact of its peacebuilding initiatives through explicit and effective gender-sensitive monitoring mechanisms.

Author(s): Minna Lyytikäinen
2009-01-26

This paper on building Inclusive Post-Conflict Governance: How the EU Can Support Women’s Political Participation in Conflict-Affected Contexts, identifies four fields where the EU can promote women’s political participation. First, it is crucial that the EU uses all its diplomatic power to promote the inclusion of women in peace negotiations to guarantee a more inclusive and representative settlement. Second, women’s access to political spaces should be increased through more gender-sensitive electoral laws and processes, implementation of specific quotas and capacity building programmes for female candidates, as well as awareness-raising among political parties and the general public. Third, the EU can play an important role in supporting women’s participation in civil society. Fourth, women’s participation in peace processes, political institutions and CSOs can only be meaningful if it leads to more representative and inclusive policy, practice and outcomes.

Author(s): Karen Campbell-Nelson, Ed.D.
2008-09-01

This study outlines some of the experiences of Liberian women in their quest for gender justice in the aftermath of the country's brutal 14-year civil war. A number of questions guide this report. To what extent have Liberian women participated in and benefited from transitional justice processes that establish the truth about past human rights violations, demand accountability for them, and support reforms to ensure such violations are not repeated? What do Liberian women have to say about these mechanisms and do they satisfy women's sense of justice? What recommendations can be made to strengthen the engagement of women with these processes in the future?

Author(s): Karen Barnes and Minna Lyytikäinen
2008-06-02

This briefing outlines the key findings of the recent study on Enhancing the EU Response to Women and Armed Conflict commissioned by the Slovenian Presidency of the EU, and discusses the recommendations in relation to the European Commission. Although the EU has repeatedly committed itself to the need for the full implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, current EU interventions in conflict-affected contexts lack a clear gender and conflict analysis and women continue to be marginalised from peacebuilding initiatives.