Outcomes and Recommendations from the Third Session of the Think Tank

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UN Security Council Resolution 1325 was adopted in 2000 in order to promote women’s safety, security, and participation in situations of war and conflict. Over ten years later, women still find themselves excluded from post-conflict decision-making and peace-building, as well as isolated from the support systems necessary to promote their participation and integration into newly formed infrastructures following periods of transition and unrest.

In early 2011, Think Tank members, including policymakers, activists, academics, and ambassadors convened in Amman, Jordan to address the impact of war on women with consideration of economics, legal rights, emotional and physical violence, cultural taboos, politics, and shifting social dynamics. The Swedish Institute, National Council for Family Affairs, and Karama co-hosted this meeting.

Summary of Outcomes:

  • Participants identified strategic gaps in data, specifically the lack of comprehensive studies on the causes and consequences of violence against women in times of war and post-conflict

  • Case studies focusing on women in conflict-affected areas including Iraq, Yemen, Palestine, Sudan, Somalia, and Lebanon illuminated country-specific challenges, as well as overall regional trends for women in these situations.

  • The League of Arab States Regional Strategy on Women, Conflict, and Security was introduced, setting the stage for potential collaboration.

Meeting Discussion: Recommendations:

1. Research and Studies

  • Preparing reports on the status of countries that suffer from disturbances with the aim of providing the necessary recommendations to decision-makers dealing with situations and consequences of armed conflict, particularly those regarding women

  • Following areas of conflict and current events to keep abreast of their impact on society, especially the impact on women in all aspects of their everyday life, whether with regard to economic, social, cultural or political effects

  • Putting together a comparative study on the status of women in Tunisia and Egypt, the two countries that have recently experienced instability

2. Monitoring and Evaluation

  • The status of women in Yemen was reviewed. Emerging issues must also be addressed as priorities. The following issues were discussed:

    • The widespread poverty, which in turn led to prostitution

    • Early marriage for purposes of economic exploitation of women

    • A reversal of women’s human rights, such as the issuing of passports o The kidnapping of girls by organized gangs

  • Additional issues that must be emphasized:

    • Arab States must prepare a plan to enforce the UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

    • The role of women in both Egypt and Tunisia in the formation of governments

    • The role of women in civil society organizations, rather than their role in political parties where they are marginalized and where parties, in general, are out of the scope of the political movement

Small Group/Workshops on Research Methodology 

Expected goals and results

  • Understanding the impact of conflicts on women in the Arab region and the extent and efficacy of international and regional mechanisms in protecting them.

  • Understanding the changing roles of women in the various stages of the conflict (before, during, and after).

  • Understanding the roles based on women’s different conditions in terms of: age, health, marital status, and economic, geographic, ethnic, educational or religious conditions.

  • Analyzing the needs and priorities of women during conflicts (whether economic, political, security-related, or emotional).

  • Understanding the different forms of women’s participation in wars and conflicts: acting as a partner (a fighter – a negotiator – a nurse)

  • Identifying and exploring the impact of conflicts on neighboring countries and peoples

  • Understanding the mechanisms designed to assist women in securing gains in all stages of conflict, be they domestic or external wars.

  • Identifying strategies on women’s participation in the prevention of conflicts in the Arab world.

Methodology

  • A quantitative and qualitative study, that takes into account the diversity and plurality within the section studied (women - men) and the specific nature of each country or within one country, as what is fit for one region may not necessarily be appropriate for another (i.e. Intersectional Approach).

  • Multiple analytical tools should be used, e.g. focus groups, legal persons, in-depth individual interviews, or field surveys

  • Including a summary of UN SCR 1325 in the study

  • Focusing on the concepts of participation, protection and prevention