The PeaceWomen.org website has many useful resources on women, peace and security issues and women’s peace-building initiatives in areas of armed conflict. Two reports:
• • • • from the 1325 Peace Women E-Newsletter:
Psychosocial Challenges and Interventions for Women Affected by Conflict
– Critical Half, Bi-annual journal of Women for Women International, September 2006 Vol. 4 No. 1 –
The articles in this journal edition highlight the psychological and social difficulties encountered by conflict-affected women. The general hardship and trauma of conflict is often compounded further by gender-based violence, which takes a heavy toll on women’s mental health. Both during war and afterward, women may feel ongoing anxiety and fear as they worry about soldiers who might torture or kill them and their loved ones. Women who have been sexually violated can suffer humiliation and shame, and even become ostracized by those who consider rape to bring dishonour to a woman’s family and community. Women may also lack the social support that normally provides solace or assistance in grieving. The authors discuss ways to design effective psychosocial programs that facilitate healing and encourage women’s active participation in the reconstruction of their communities. Case studies from Sudan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Gaza, Croatia, and Nigeria are provided. Read the full report (PDF)
• • • • from Women, Peace and Security Resources:
Action on Gender Based Violence and HIV/AIDS: Bringing Together Research, Policy, Programming and Advocacy
– Center for Women’s Global Leadership, January 2007 –
In response to the human rights and public health crises posed by both the HIV pandemic and the unabating levels of gender-based violence (GBV), policy makers, activists and programmers at international, regional and national levels have in recent years bolstered attention to the conceptual and methodological intersections of work in these areas. A small group of organizations and experts working at the intersection of GBV and HIV came together to share lessons learned from working from a variety of entry points, including human rights, gender, feminism, sexuality, and sexual rights, at global, national and local levels, using various methods and within different country contexts. This brief report summarizes discussions, outcomes, and recommendations from the consultation. Read the full report (PDF)
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More about Peace Women:
PeaceWomen.org is a project of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) United Nations Office, in New York City.
The PeaceWomen Project monitors and works toward rapid and full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. To these ends:
PeaceWomen hosts Peacewomen.org, a website that provides accurate and timely information on women, peace and security issues and women’s peace-building initiatives in areas of armed conflict.
PeaceWomen works to facilitate communication among and mobilization of advocates and supporters in civil society, the UN system and governments working on women, peace and security issues; and
PeaceWomen advocates for the integration of gender analysis in the governance, peace and security work of civil society actors, the UN system, and governmental bodies.