Women's participation in conflict management and peace processes in Afghanistan : a focus on UN SCR 1325

Abstract

This study is a literature based study on women's participation in conflict management and peace processes, with a focus on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. It is a qualitative study, looking at the implementation of UN SCR 1325 in Afghanistan. A series of international events led to the adoption of the UN SCR 1325. Looking at national plans in Afghanistan, the UN SCR 1325 is integrated to the National Action Plan on Women of Afghanistan and the Gender Equality Project. Women's groups in Afghanistan, such as Afghan Women's Network, Women for Afghan Women and Shuhada Organisation all contributes to women, peace and security, through education, women's programmes and the protection of women's rights. There are several strong women in Afghanistan, working for women's empowerment and participation in society. Among these women we find dr. Sima Samar who works with women's rights in Afghanistan, Malalai Joya who was a member of the Parliament and spoke out against warlords, Manizha Naderi who is the executive director of Women for Afghan Women and Rula Ghani, the wife of the newly elected President Ashraf Ghani. Looking at these different levels of dealing with the SCR 1325, it seems difficult to see the connection between them, and the implementation seems to start separately at the different levels, rather than going down from the government to the women's groups and women, connection the processes together.