Landmark resolution on Women, Peace and Security
The Security Council adopted resolution (S/RES/1325) on women and peace and security on 31 October 2000. The resolution reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. Resolution 1325 urges all actors to increase the participation of women and incorporate gender perspectives in all United Nations peace and security efforts. It also calls on all parties to conflict to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, in situations of armed conflict. The resolution provides a number of important operational mandates, with implications for Member States and the entities of the United Nations system.
Inter-agency coordination to implement resolution 1325
In order to ensure collaboration and coordination throughout the United Nations system in the implementation of the Security Council resolution, the Interagency Network on Women and Gender Equality established the Interagency Taskforce on Women, Peace and Security which is chaired by the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women. As of 2004, the Taskforce includes representatives from DAW/DESA, DDA, DPA, DPKO, DPI, ESCWA, ILO, OCHA, OHCHR, OHRM, OSAGI, SRSG/CAC, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UN-HABITAT, UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNU, WFP. Observers: IOM and the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security (Hague Appeal for Peace, International Alert, International Women's Tribune Centre, Women's Caucus for Gender Justice, Women's Committee on Refugee Women and Children, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom).
In 2003, the Taskforce developed an Action Plan on the implementation of the resolution and contributed to the preparation of the Secretary-General's study. The 2003 annual report described the achievements of the Taskforce in 2002 and the 2004 annual report includes information on needs assessment checklists, briefing notes for Security Council missions and analysis of the gender content of Secretary-General's reports to the Security Council.