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By introducing quotas in conflict resolution negotiations, including more women in peace-building operations and funding the military recruitment of females, women could finally experience the equality that was promised 11 years ago (Cohen). All contributors to this memo participated in the competition "Women on Transatlantic Security" sponsored by the United States Mission to NATO and the NATO Public Diplomacy Division.

1. Enact a quota system for conflict resolution negotiations.
Prior to proceeding with negotiations, representatives from organizations charged with brokering peace such as NATO and the UN should demand the participation of qualified women on all sides (Lamoreux).

This would stop mere seat-filling and would encourage the representation of all members of society in a true gender-based quota system as envisioned in UNSCR 1325 (Cohen).

2. Support inclusive participation in conflict and post-conflict situations.
The effective implementation of the global women's rights treaty (CEDAW) would underline government's commitment to women's rights at home and abroad. It would put pressure on countries which have as yet not ratified the treaty to include gender equality in their domestic legislation (Post).

National Action Plans need to be developed for the successful implementation of UNSCR 1325. They should focus on transforming societies by targeting problems of exclusion, gender role constructions, socio-economic and power relations.

Interact with all members of conflict and post-conflict societies fostered through women's organizations which work on grass-roots levels with religious groups and have the capacity to interact with all reaches of a community (Maras and Salich).

Women's leadership capacities need to be strengthened because women are better-placed to carry out tasks such as interviewing victims of sexual violence, working in women's prisons, helping female ex-combatants during the process of demobilization and reintegration into domestic life (Zpevakova).

3. Fund the recruitment of women to military positions in NATO.
NATO must further women's inclusion in fields that lack female representation through workshops and internships that provide relevant technical expertise and guidance. These should focus on training female officers in peacekeeping, conflict management and strategies of deterrence (Sandal).

Female officers are needed to effectively protect and serve people in gender separated societies. By introducing competitive salaries for women in the police and military forces it will allow them to provide for their families (Crawford).

Atlantic Memos showcase the best ideas and arguments from debates in the Open Think Tank on www.atlantic-community.org. Please take the next step and help us spread the word. You can download a PDF copy of this Atlantic Memo to distribute to your local or national decision-makers. The recommendations expressed above come from your Atlantic Community.

Written by Laura Craine. Photo credit: cc 2.0 The U.S. Army.

June 2, 2011

Olga Kolesnichenko, freelance journalist, Gold Contributor (124)

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I like this comment! What's this?

As woman that write about military issues I can make some contribution to NATO-Russia relations - because Russian military men wouldn't say it loudly. But I can say. Please look at this strange NATO PDD cartoon and ask to the simple question - should it lead to impoving the dialogue or it opens for all 'nationalism' to Russians?
http://www.nato.int/nio/video/1104-cartoon/cartoon.wmv
http://www.nato.int/nio/index.html

June 8, 2011

Victoria Naselskaya, Humboldt University of Berlin, Master in British Studies (Politics, Law, Economics), Silver Contributor (54)

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I like this comment! What's this?

I share authors’ opinion about a crucial role of women in conflict resolution. In addition, I would suggest placing an emphasis on involving more non-EU/ non-NATO member states female specialists in peace-building operations. It is especially true when peace-building campaigns spread beyond the so-called ‘Western world’. Diverse cultural and linguistic background of the latter specialists will definitely be an asset for conflict resolution on a global level.

June 12, 2011

Amarjyoti Acharya

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I like this comment! What's this?

It is a welcome thought that women achieve a greater representation that encourages a more gender-equal world. Yet the lingering doubt remains if a numerical representation via a quota system answers the concerns over a gender-equal world. Gender-equality is more about viewpoints arising from socialization (without wondering about which planets we come from, and why are we then inhabiting the earth via its destructive colonization?). The notion of gender-equality involves far more serious issues than 'masculinized' women and mere numerical representations that fulfill data sheets. Since the issue involves the basic question of why are we inhabiting planet earth - in more senses than one, one hopes that steps geared towards a more equal and democratic world also lessens the sense of alienation from ourselves; from other sexes, and from our environment that includes planet earth as a place which we need to survive and not vice versa. It is entirely possible that the issue of gender is not too far removed from this recognition. Available literature across the world & across cultures do indicte this aspect rather strongly: of recognition.

Tags: | gender | democracy | imaginations |

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