2020 has been an important year for the participation of women in peace processes and conflict prevention. The mobilization of the international community to mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the landmark UN Security Council (SC) Resolution 1325 has resonated around the globe with new resolutions and renewed commitments at local, regional and global levels.
However, we are far from achieving the goals set forth twenty-years ago. Women are largely unrepresented in peace processes and impunity for conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence remains an appalling reality. Women are also the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and limited progress made on gender equality is at risk of reversal due to the crisis.
In his 2020 report on the Responsibility to Protect, the UN Secretary-General underlines the key role that women play in preventing mass atrocities and how ending impunity for conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence prevents the recurrence of the commission of future atrocities.
GAAMAC aims to “prioritize the meaningful participation of women and girls in designing and implementing prevention efforts”, as stipulated in the outcome document of its third global meeting. Its Americas Regional Initiative is precisely working on “Lessons learned from armed conflicts in Latin America for the prevention of sexual and gendered-based violence”, a policy brief that will be presented in 2021 during GAAMAC IV.
On this special anniversary, this newsletter is dedicated to showcase the GAAMAC community’s work in action: preventing mass atrocities by putting gender equality up-front. We wish you an excellent read and hope you will find these recommendations, articles and good practices useful for your important prevention work.
|