POLICY FOR PEACE IN OUR PACIFIC REGION

Transcription

1 FEMLINKPACIFIC POLICY INITIATIVE WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY POLICY FOR PEACE IN OUR PACIFIC REGION

2 CONTENTS Acknowledgements 1 Introduction 3 Gender and Human Security in the Pacific 4 Security Sector Governance 9 Enhancing Women and Security 14

3 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This year's policy document enhances the recommendations of our 2008 policy initiative by enriching it with "what women say". We therefore acknowledge the many women in Fiji, Bougainville (Papua New Guinea), Solomon Islands and Tonga who have willingly shared their stories with our correspondents and focal points. They are the women who live the issues we feature in our policy document every day and we are humbled to be able to carry your voices forward into the policy sphere. We value the partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, UNDP Pacific Centre, UNIFEM Pacific, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security and other NGO partners, to advance implementation of gender equality commitments and women s human rights. We also wish to say Vinaka vakalevu and Shukriya to the International Women's Development Agency for their support of our Peace Talks project which enabled the production of this year's policy initiative, as well as AUSAID for their support of our regional women's media network and policy initiatives on UN Security Council resolution 1325 femlinkpacific also wishes to thank Seona Smiles who has shared her skill to guide the development and content of the publication. The Pacific Women s Media Network on UNSCr 1325

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5 HUMAN SECURITY FRAMEWORK 3 INTRODUCTION UN Security Council Resolution 1325, Women, Peace and Security, is an affirmation of the important role women have in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. It is expressly aimed at increasing the participation of women in conflict management at all levels, including prevention and post-conflict reconstruction. All areas of concern in this resolution affect the Pacific island region. In 2008, eight years after the adoption of Resolution 1325, the Pacific regional women s community network on UNSCR1325 launched its first policy initiative as a guide for governments and civil society organisations to assist its implementation. It represents the collective voices of women and their recommendations based in an analysis of interviews conducted by correspondents of the femlinkpacific Women, Peace and Security media network based in Fiji, Bougainville (Papua New Guinea), Solomon Islands and Tonga. The stories they collect from women, and those of the rural women s media network in Fiji, feature in ENews bulletins, community radio broadcasts, and also on local radio stations and are circulated on other networks. Since the inception of the network, the political landscape of the Pacific has changed and the global environment has altered dramatically. Pacific Peacewomen continue to follow and promote the policies set out in the 2008 document and work on responding to the changes around them and the new challenges they face. They also take into consideration in their work the UN Security Council Resolution 1820, adopted on June , which is concerned with sexual violence in situations of armed conflict. Key provisions of this resolution recognise a direct relationship between the widespread and systematic use of sexual violence as an instrument of conflict and commits the Security Council to considering appropriate steps to end such atrocities, including escalating sanctions against warring factions who target women and girls for rape and other sexual violence as a tactic to humiliate, dominate, and instil fear. This has relevance in the broad campaign to prevent violence against women, from the domestic sphere to the public space. When we re correlating the human security framework, if you look at the issue of personal security of women closely linked to that is the issue of violence to women and the threat to women. So rape is high on the agenda of just some of the very real threats that women are living under. In Fiji in January (2009) the news was the gang rape of a young girl, so those are just some of the issues that are coming through, not just from our own women s media network but being reported through the mainstream media as well. Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, Radio New Zealand interview 1 June Women s advocacy groups in the Pacific have welcomed a move to stop sexual violence towards women in conflict situations, but say it needs be implemented in conjunction with an earlier resolution. They say that while the United Nation s Security Council Resolution 1820, which was adopted last year, is absolutely critical, it should be viewed as an implementation strategy to further the commitment to women, peace and security. Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, coordinator of femlinkpacific, a women s community media network based in Fiji, says if women are involved in protection, participation and prevention in developing national action plans, the issue of sexual and gender based violence during times of conflict would also be addressed. She says it is important not to lose sight of resolution 1325 as it is the foundation upon which other initiatives like 1820 should be implemented, if they are to work effectively. Bhagwan Rolls also says it is paramount that these resolutions are put into context according to the varying conditions in each Pacific state. Pacific Media Network The network project s 2009 first quarter report on women, peace and human security showed a deterioration in the status of women across the Pacific. The first quarter findings served as a further call to action for the greater integration of and compliance with UNSCR1325 as well as CEDAW.

6 4 GENDER AND HUMAN SECURITY IN THE PACIFIC Women say: Human security reinforces the inseparable nature of human rights, for instance having a vote but being unable to afford to leave work or to leave your children to use it, or having the best medical treatment if it doesn t stop your husband beating you. Fem LINKPACFIC Women, Peace and Security network project s policies and activities 2009/10 are built on three broad areas derived from the critical issues identified around the Pacific Forum Regional Security Committee meeting held in Suva, Fiji, in May 2009, and preparations for the Beijing+15 Global Women s Forum February 2010 immediately preceding the 54 th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. They are also issues that are of concern for the 10 th anniversary of UNSCr1325 in 2010, as well as for the Triennial Pacific Women s Meeting on the Pacific Platform of Action also scheduled for next year, and the ongoing lobbying around the South Pacific Forum and Forum Secretariat efforts towards encouraging compliance by Pacific Island countries with UNSCr1325 and CEDAW. Importantly, the network endeavours to demonstrate how the three groups of critical issues connect with and relate to each other, how they overlap and intervene, so that none can be overcome in isolation. Human security is a much different way of thinking about security than the territorial, state-security concept of the recent past. It puts much greater stress on people s security, from armaments to sustainable human development. It means: Human rights are necessary for human security All human rights, including the right to development, are essential parts of human security Human security includes responsibilities of individuals towards others, as well as the responsibilities of such organisations as corporate bodies and armed groups towards individuals Human security includes, but is not restricted to, the state Human security includes international humanitarian law and concerns armed conflict Human security can provide a framework, with human rights treaties, to help protect and empower groups such as internally displaced persons who have not yet obtained defined rights for children, refugees and women. Human security recognises threats not always recognised as human rights issues, such as environmental degradation Human security reiterates the indivisibility of human rights According to Clera Gore Rikimani, Solomon Islands Secretary to Women s Affairs, to address women s human security needs, strategies should include: support to families to return to subsistence farming; address the rising cost of living, bus fares, unemployment and improved services; implement decentralised development planning and programmes; address rising crime and have better policing; provide relevant support for young people to cope with peer pressure including sex education and drug abuse prevention; highlight global warming and rising sea levels; and improve community relations by enhancing respect. Vois Blong Mere Solomons Seven main areas of human security are: Economic Security Having a stable income or other regularly obtainable resources to support a person and their dependents now and in the foreseeable future. It includes the predictability or reasonable certainty of at least a basic income either earned by working or support from an economic entity, such as a country; job security; and economic justice that provides for a fair distribution of wealth to women and men, to workers in developed

7 or developing countries, and to vulnerable people who are dependent on help to survive from a publicly-financed safety net, such as a state welfare system. Health Security Being able to access adequate medical services and resources to remain in physical, mental and social well-being. Good health is not just the absence of disease but a feeling of well-being and confidence about the future that allows people to exercise choice, pursue social opportunities, and plan for the future. Health security aims to guarantee a minimum protection from illness and unhealthy lifestyles, and includes, for instance, access to clean water and family planning. Women say: Women need to be better informed of their sexual and reproductive health rights and rural women in particular need to be informed and have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of family planning. Violence against women must be recognised as a health issue First Quarterly Report Food Security Freedom from hunger and the fear of starvation, and the provision of enough nourishing food for people to have a healthy and productive life. It is both the physical and economic access to food, not only having enough food available but being able to afford it. We are giving them time to cope slowly, and for the type of food children are bringing. We can t just force them to bring healthy food because whatever the parents can find they are just providing the children. Nadi (Fiji) Preschool teacher. Most of the women confessed to skipping a meal a day.we can have a cup of tea, but we have the food ready for our husband and children. femlinkpacific consultation on Women, Peace and Human Security, 1 July 2009 Environmental Security Environment can have direct and indirect influence on political disputes and violent conflict. Environmental security is an environment that allows people to support their lives and includes preventing or repairing military damage, preventing or responding to environmentally-caused conflicts, and protecting the environment to prevent the ravages of nature, human-caused damage and deterioration. Lack of clean water, industrial air pollution, global warming and sea-level rise are environmental security issues. 5 Women say: There is a need to address the absence of economic opportunities and autonomy, lack of access to economic resources including land ownership and inheritance, lack of access to education and support services and minimal participation in decision making that is directly linked to women s poverty and economic security. There is a need to address discrimination in education and training, remuneration and promotion, as well as inflexible working conditions and inadequate sharing of family responsibilities and insufficient services that continue to restrict employment, economic and professional opportunities and mobility for women First Quarterly Report There should be more workshops and awareness programmes as well as media should be involved there should be one hour programmes for listeners for people to be aware of HIV/AIDS so that if they feel shy to listen to people face to face they can at least tune in to the radio for more information and details on HIV. Nausori (Fiji) Rural Women s Association Women say: Women need greater recognition as the planners and managers of their family and community food gardens and their expertise is needed when planning crop rehabilitation strategies after natural disasters, and to address fuel security. When there is a lack of food, too often there is inequitable distribution of food for girls and women in the households First Quarterly Report

8 Women say: Empower women as producers and consumers to be effective leaders in community based environmental programmes. Even though women bear the burden of having a supply of clean water for their families, especially in rural communities, they are still not included effectively in the design and planning of water management projects First Quarterly Report 6 Personal Security Protecting individuals from physical violence. Threats include domestic violence, violent crime, torture and detention by a citizen s own state, and military invasion by a foreign state. Personal security aims to protect people from physical harm by violent individuals, criminals, and the state, and promotes safety from domestic abuse and predatory adults. Women are sometimes being pushed aside from their formal space of being mothers to their children and wives to their husbands. These women have very little space and don t enjoy their right to living a happy life. A 24-year-old a divorced mother of 3 shared how she never had the space for being a happy mother and a happy wife in her marriage relationship. She married her husband at a very young age and became an immature mother with little support from her family and husband. She was abused and not given her formal place to support her husband in making decisions in their newly-built family. Her family believed that it was her husband s right to beat up his wife whenever he pleased. There were times when she had to run away from home in fear of loosing her life and still lives in fear. A working mother of four, aged 34, gets beaten up when she dares to ask her husband about his affairs with other women. She believes that it is because her husband grew up in a violent home where he sees his father beating up her mother that has made him into becoming a violent husband. They do not receive the love that a father should give to his children and their financial needs are not met. She is making a big sacrifice in order for their family to be still together. FemLINK Tonga 2 Quarter Report Women say: There is a need for more effective enforcement of policies and legislation, including access to just and effective remedies and compensation and healing for victims. Education systems should promote self respect, mutual respect and cooperation between women and men First Quarterly Report Women say: There is a close link between community security and women s personal security, especially at times of conflict within local communities. There is a need to continue to build relationships between women across the race and faith based barriers First Quarterly Report Community Security Protection of groups threatened by other groups or more powerful entities. It aims to protect people from the loss of traditional relationships and values and from sectarian and ethnic violence. Minority ethnic groups are often threatened. Political Security Based on democratic government and the protection of human rights. Human rights violations are often perpetrated by states upon their own citizens with the goal of protecting national security. However, such policy can often lead to a loss of legitimacy of the government and the eventual breakdown of the entire state. A strong military does not necessarily provide security to either states or individuals. The detention of Fiji indigenous high chief and ousted Minister for Education Ro Teimumu Kepa is very disturbing on a number of levels and brings to the fore rising human insecurities including community, economic and personal security, inextricably linked to the political insecurity in Fiji particularly through the events of Easter weekend and the purported abrogation of the 1997 Constitution.

9 7 At a time when women's groups are part of an effort to engage in dialogue with a range of stakeholders including the current administration, the demonstration of military might by the way in which Ro Temumu was taken from her home (by 16 policemen) in the early hours of July 22 as well as her detention does not augur well for this and other peacebuilding efforts in line with UN Security Council resolution Such rules of engagement are a further reminder and warning that there is no room for an alternative viewpoint including from those of traditional leadership and it casts a shadow on the civil society-led dialogue efforts. Recently a number of women NGO leaders were banned from speaking at the Pacific Youth Festival. Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, femlinkpacific Media Release 23 July 2009 Within these broad areas of human security are the critical issues being experienced in different ways and grappled with by Pacific women, who are working to place their recommendations for change on to the various state and regional agendas. When women feel secure, peace is possible. When women feel secure enough to resist war and organise for peace, expressed through theatre, public demonstrations and civil disobedience, peace is on its way. Pacific women want their leaders to use quiet diplomacy, mediation, sanctions and other measures as conflict-prevention measures rather than deploy force after the outbreak of conflict. By consulting routinely with women technical experts, the security sector can improve its policies and regulations to provide security for all. Women s security is pervasive, not just related to armed conflict, and affects every area of women s lives, nor is just about domestic violence. It is about the welfare and status of women, human security issues, and the impact of decisions in relation to the form and functions of the military, police, and broader security sector on women. Ro Teimumu was charged with inciting disobedience of the law, a charge subsequent to publishing a letter on the internet inviting the people of Rewa to meet and assemble for the Bose ko Viti. Both charges relate to breaches of the public emergency regulation. Fiji Times 24 July 2009 Women say: Ensure women and girls full enjoyment of their human rights, including citizenship and land ownership. Address traditional practices that continue the cycle of discrimination and inequality. Ratify CEDAW, make sure governments appoint at least 30% representation of women appointed to boards and committees appointing one woman will not effectively ensure women s representation. Support women s organisations to provide information for peace and conflict analysis, for instance the early warning indicators from women s perspectives that give a more inclusive and gendered perspective for conflict prevention. Recognise and address stereotypical gender roles which perpetuate unequal power relations, including in the HIV and AIDS context First Quarterly Report Until the state s security and legal infrastructure are rebuilt, women s security is under constant threat of attack by family members, ex-combatants and criminals and they remain unprotected as they search for water, food and firewood and care for children, the sick and elderly, activities that limit their mobility and ability to protect themselves. While concerns include the elimination of violence against women and children, there is also a broader concern that includes the need to advocate for a gender mainstreaming aspect to and relevant training for peacekeeping operations, the importance of gender-sensitive demobilisation programmes for security and military personnel, and for women to be engaged in the planning of humanitarian assistance. Women s civil society representatives have to be involved in helping redefine and ensure implementation of the new human security agenda, including representation on local and national councils and committees addressing the broad range of security issues.

10 8 Recommendations Recalling the Pacific Forum Leaders commitment to implementation of the Human Security Framework, national governments should, in close collaboration with civil society. Conduct a review of defence and national security policy, their postures and budgeting processes in order to meet human security needs. Governments should make sure security sector personnel receive gender sensitivity training in full compliance with resolution 1325, in order to support the implementation of existing commitments, and utilise tools such as gender-based early-warning indicators. Through institutions such as the Regional Commissioners of Police Network, law enforcement agencies, and the military, governments should provide gender disaggregated data in order to map the ratio of men and women in the security sector. Pacific governments should commit to the international governance standards requiring democratic civilian oversight of the security sector. Community police initiatives should be enhanced through regular engagement with women s groups, and the recruitment of women with expertise and life experience to community policing programmes. All troop- and police-contributing countries should engage gender experts and expertise to be included in all levels and aspects of peace operations, including in technical surveys, the design of concepts of operation, training, staffing and programmes. All troop- and police-contributing countries should develop training for pre- and post-deployment training in 1325, international human rights standards, violence against women and the UN s Zero Tolerance Policy.

11 SECURITY SECTOR GOVERNANCE There continues to be high levels of domestic and sexual violence against women in the Pacific, which escalates during conflict as general violence increases. Militarisation and the presence of weapons legitimise new levels of brutality and greater levels of impunity, so that violence becomes a new normality and becomes entrenched in post-conflict landscapes. 9 Women say: Women and girls continue to be vulnerable to all forms of violence, including in their homes. With devaluation the prices of all stuff have increased and I think that lots of people will be affected and as poverty increases then the crime rate will increase, everyone wants to survive and have food at the table so the crime will increase There is a need for more effective enforcement of policies and legislation to emphasise the prevention of violence, the prosecution of offenders, ensuring access to just and effective remedies including compensation and healing of victims First Quarterly Report Women who have survived the trauma and violence of conflict have proven to possess great courage and will to rebuild community and remake their lives. When survivors have safe places to go for help, they can assist their societies and prepare them for peace. When women are empowered to participate in society they are more likely to live lives free from violence, so it is crucial they be actively included in decisions around security needs. Women recognise that the security of one side can never be based on the frustration or humiliation of the other. Their experience of war is different from that of male fighters and politicians. When women are present the nature of dialogue changes and the content of agreements change. Tanis (James Tanis, newly-elected President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government) asked to pass on his message to the regional 1325 network.reaffirming his commitment to building sustainable peace for Bougainville Tanis dedicated his victory to Pacific Peacebuilders, calling for renewed collaboration efforts to build peace in Bougainville particularly by NGOs should continue to have a strong voice Leitana Nehan s Women s Development Agency, ENews 1/2009 A strong presence of women in subsequent parliamentary and government structures enable them to have both the necessary critical mass and the expertise to help redefine and ensure implementation of the new human security agenda, including through representation on national security councils and other bodies addressing security issues. This means that all women can lead. Men should give opportunities like this more often to enable women to experience new roles and responsibilities that go with those positions. In Melanesia, people learn through experience. One excels by doing hands on work. Women have experience running their households. This means they can run the government with help from everyone including men. Laura Ampa, Acting Vice President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, February Once again, women are fearful of leaving home to tend to their gardens and children are not attending school particulary since the report of a woman being attacked and injured with an axe in the midst of negotiating with the group that had sent up the roadblock. FemLINKPACIFIC ENews 4 September 2009

12 10 Recommendations on transcending violence and transforming conflict Governments should ensure resources and availability of safe women s spaces to organise dialogues and peace and trust-building activities as a precursor to women s full involvement in the peace process. This is a bigger challenge in situations such as Vunicuicui and Bulileka (Fiji) where the mothers and women s groups are of different denominations and ethnicity. Lessons learned for me is how I remain neutral and ensure peace approaches are practiced and maintained at all time. Adi Vasu Chute Government and other agencies should ensure that annual budgetary allocation for post-conflict allocation to assist women and communities in post-conflict psycho-social recovery, including through safe houses, rape and trauma counselling services including medical supplies, and free legal advice to conflict survivors. During times of conflict, governments and UN agencies should ensure that women have equal participation in all processes and programmes that relate to their personal security, including in the planning and management of camps and services for internally displaced persons. The rights, needs and representation of women displaced by conflicts should be reflected in local and national legislation and regulation, such as ensuring provision of essential services, water, electricity, health centres, housing and schools. Governments to implement commitments to the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence, particularly domestic violence which increases in the build up, during and after conflict, in collaboration with women s human rights experts and advocates, including actively supporting the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women. Women defenders in Fiji are challenged because we work on human rights and equality in small, complex post-coup spaces, she said. Rising evangelical and right-wing nationalist groups challenge hard-won gains from recent decades. We face trauma of years of coup d etats on the whole community, and in particular on women human rights defenders ourselves. Each subsequent coup sees still more of us targeted in subtle and overt ways. Noelene Nabulivou, fem TALK /2008 Recommendations on democratising security decision-making Governments, in close collaboration with civil society, should collect names and profiles for a national list of women s experts for nomination to high level posts, as special envoys, and to eminent persons groups, to be contributed to the Pacific Islands Forum database of Pacific women peacemakers and, furthermore, must work to ensure that those on this list are seriously considered for appointment. A unique project a few of us were involved with was the 1000 women for the Nobel Peace Prize Even though we did not win this, the greatest level of awareness was created about the work of women peace-builders who have contributed to strengthening human security in communities. From the Pacific alone we had women from eight Pacific Island countires who were nominated. Koila Costello Olsson, Women for Peace Conference, Dili, March 2009.

13 11 Governments, in close collaboration with civil society, should work to review the criteria for qualification for these high-level appointments and leadership positions so as to ensure that they do not continue to exclude women based on stereotypes and standards that are unrelated to real capacity to perform. Temporary Special Measures or parliamentary quotas have been recognised as an important and practical way to balance the scales of women s political representation particularly following armed or political conflicts as we have experienced in our region. A valuable example has been in Bougainville, which has three regional seats assigned for women in the Autonomous Bougainville Government and since 2006 Francesca Semoso has served as Deputy Speaker and key advocate for HIV-AIDS prevention while Laura Ampa has served as Acting President.fem TALK ENews bulletin July 2009 Pacific governments and political parties should adopt quotas and affirmative action measures to ensure democracy in all peace and security decision making, including at least 30 per cent representation of women in cabinet, parliament, provincial and district committees, political party leadership, local government and committees, and through reform of campaign financing frameworks and policies. Women in Tonga have found themselves further marginalised following the tiny kingdom s general election in late April (2008). Alisi Pone, a retired teacher who stood for election a second time, said the reason no woman was elected was that women themselves did not believe in their own abilities I also have a personal hunch there is discrimination against women in Tonga. I believe Tonga is not ready to embrace women in the political arena and I hope one day we will jump that hurdle. The saddest thing is women themselves are not supportive of us. Vanessa Heleta, fem TALK2/2008. Pacific governments should ensure long-term support for a new generation of women s leaders in the peace and security sector, including through the availability of scholarships and other training and capacity building initiatives. International donors and development agencies should incorporate women, peace and security commitments, including adequate representation of women in decision making as a condition of supplying aid and development assistance and should work with governments to ensure that gender equality and women, peace and security concerns are part of the national priorities around which general budget support is provided. Building on the Pacific Conference of Churches commitment to peace building and conflict resolution, churches and faith-based leaders should explicitly support 1325 and include more women in decision making positions, including through the development of curricula at theological colleges. Talking about education to your own child sometimes is a struggle for both mums and dads; it is also time for more equal responsibility between men and women Nausori (Fiji) Rural Women s Association Some women explained that in their religion system women are not allowed to be part of the church s discussions or to question the work that the men are doing in their church. Another woman said the system of her religion in their society was that most of the people in their decision making committee are men and only a few women. And because of this, men are always manipulating the decision process and women are always left behind. Ma a Fafine moe Famili Inc.

14 12 There needs to be more workshops, flyers, pamphlets and people who can just talk on such topics people are sitting out there listening to them. While they are speaking there needs to be someone listening to them. Nausori (Fiji) Rural Women s Association discussion on 2009 CSW theme. Women s formal participation in decision-making during a peace process is more than having women as observers in decision-making places and have a few women standing for election. Gender justice and equality principles should be enshrined in constitutional and legal reforms, the establishment of multi-party systems and elections, and women should be equally represented in these institutions as lawyers, judges, police, as well as political candidates. Women should also be included in discussion that goes beyond gender, discussion that includes security and resource allocation. Too often women s answers to these questions are not heard because they are excluded from the process of their contributions and opinions are devalued. To overcome obstacles to an effective and just nation-building, women s participation must be deliberately sought, perhaps through a quota system, targeted consultations, the establishment of and/or strengthening women s ministries or departments, the appointment of women judges, police and law reform authorities. Recommendations on Elections Gender equality should be incorporated into constitutional reforms to reaffirm the principles of non-discrimination, equality, affirmative action, and women s right to freedom and security, as well as the protection of women participating in constitutional conventions. Gender equality should be incorporated into law reform processes, especially family, civil, labour and land reforms. National legal systems should penalise and remedy all forms of violence against women in conflict and post-conflict situations. Specially-trained police units should be established to investigate crimes against women. Law enforcement officials, including judges, police and armed forces, should be sensitised about such crimes. Women s access to justice should be ensured through legal literacy programmes, support services and legal aid. Women s human rights experts should be included in drafting the mandate of truth and reconciliation commissions and other transitional justice mechanisms as well as their planning and implementation so that crimes against women are included, special hearings for women are scheduled, the rights of women testifying and participating are protected throughout and considerations of gender equality and women s concerns are included in the recommendations and other outcomes of these mechanisms. Women say: Rokotanikeni womens association of West Are Are, Malaita Province celebrated their tenth anniversary in June They talked a lot about the Temporary Special Measures for 10 reserved seats for women so they understood the concept well before they could make their own decisions. So many regrets were made especially when their convener was a candidate during the 2006 elections and she did not get through. They said they need a change in the highest decision making body, the parliament. The women voiced their concerns on not receiving help at all from their member of parliament, thus making them have strong thinking of having a change up there. The whole room supported the concept by showing of hands and encouraging each other choosing a candidate for themselves. They also discussed challenging issues such as husbands are deciding for them whom to vote for and not their own decisions or candidates giving them money so as to win their votes. They ve had enough with their men leaders and think its time to start looking at women leaders because they already have the proof that women can do things for them.

15 13 Women in Solomon Islands will not have any seats set aside for them in next year s general elections after the government caucus dropped a proposal for 10 reserved seats, saying there needs to be better consultation and it doesn t have the support to get it passed by parliament. This comes as a disappointment for women in Solomon islands, where only one woman has ever been elected to parliament in the 31 years since independence. Radio Australia 16 July 2009 National electoral laws should incorporate gender equality quotas and ensure voter registration and education for women, as well as the increase of women in electoral commissions and observer missions. Electoral experts should work with local women s groups to provide relevant training for women candidates and political parties.

16 14 ENHANCING WOMEN AND SECURITY Conflicts not only cause economic upheaval and hardship, they have also been created by them. Natural resource exploitation has created economies of war in which those involved in waging it use conflict to gain control of land, forests and other resources to exploit for profit. During peace negotiations when allocation and use of natural resources are discussed, women and their concerns are often excluded. Women say: Women are able to actively assess and respond to floods in their communities. They have the knowledge and the expertise to contribute and address some of the recurring drainage problems First Quarterly Re- According to Joyline Afu, rising sea levels are not only becoming more visible, but a serious and very real threat to people of Kwai and Ngongosila islands. It is noticeable, by the damage being caused to buildings, pig pens and other property. Vois Blong Mere The environmental impact of conflict needs to be incorporated into postconflict reconstruction, including addressing the unexploded remnants of war, toxic pollutants and lead contamination. There is also a tremendous waste of human resources and money on weapons, because of the narrow definition of security. Women remind government that bombs, guns and landmines will not remove the threat of natural disasters: tsunami, hurricane, flood, drought, or epidemic that are the real security threats of our time along with environmental degradation and finite resource exploitation. Governments need to democratise the national budget processes to allow active community participation with a commitment to financial gender equity, that should also be carried through into inter-governmental discussions and decision on development aid and financing. Women say: Women s participation must transcend the traditional roles of nurturers and providers and be formally recognised for their wisdom and expertise. Greater effort must be made to invest greater technical and financial resources so that women in local communities have the capacity to effectively contribute to disaster prevention, management and rehabilitation strategies, with clear linkages to gender equality First Quarterly Report Recommendations on Women s Budgets for Conflict Prevention and Economic Security Pacific governments should exert pressure for the reallocation of funds currently devoted to global military spending (about $1500 billion) to human security needs, implementing the Millennium Development Goals (about $140 billion) and prepare for real security threats such as climate change. Governments participating in intergovernmental processes around financing for development and aid effectiveness must work to ensure that aid modalities are gender responsive and that resources are committed to attaining gender equality. My dad is the only breadwinner. When he gets his earnings he usually send it to me in Suva because he wants me to go for my education so I can help them back. They usually look for what to eat and feed the children back home, because they send the money for rent. Sometimes I walk to school because I know I have to struggle, just as long as I reach school. When I get back I m tired and sometimes don t eat, just go off to sleep. Silovate, 19, Fiji student Governments should work to ensure a system of gender budgeting and tracking of money allocated for women and gender equality in the United Nations system including at headquarters and in country or regional offices.

17 15 National assessment of women s contribution to the macro and micro economy as well as gender budget analysis should be incorporated into all national development plans by Women say: for them to identify their skills and generate self income like cooking food and sweets like chutney and handcraft work like weaving, sewing and baking, flower arrangements and selling pot plants and floral set ups and decorations what all our sisters have their skills. In some Sangam we are taking a lot of workshops to educate our ladies but we have seen that most of them are doing self generating themselves. We have discussed that we are to go back to our traditional cooking habits like in rural areas we have seen that sometimes our sisters are getting lazy and they switch on this and that so with the prices of the gas and other things if they could organise with their firewoods to have open fire cooking and maintain their routine work in a systematic way they can use less appliances, they could go back with our traditional things that are there standing for nothing. FemLINKPACIFIC Rural Broadcasts, Nadi and Ba, June/July 2009 Revenue generated by tax collection to be allocated by governments to address real human security needs, including environmental, health, food, personal, economic, community and political. Women say: There is a need for more dispensaries, and to encourage the importance of planting vegetables and buying nutritious meals rather than opting for cheaper yet unhealthy foods. Because of the impact of the recent 20% devaluation in Fiji currency, there is a need to address the high cost of living and the increase in the number of unemployed young people. There is also need to look after the environment, disposing of rubbish. FemLINKPACIFIC Rural Broadcasts, Nadi and Ba, June/July 2009 Governments, bilateral donors and the banking sector, including development banks, should collaborate to increase women s access to loans and credit for livelihood projects, developing appropriate requirements for loan application so that these do not discriminate against women. Governments should provide regulated and safe childcare centres as well as childcare allowances for carers in the home through appropriate legislation to increase productivity and ensure women s participation in the work place. To encourage equal participation in the economy and public life, a substantial funding increase is required in public education, and the removal of fees, other barriers to education and gender bias in curricula. Women and girls have tougher chances of acquiring a job despite good qualifications women and girls are paid less for the same job as men and in addition women have limited offerings for promotion. For the few who reach managerial positions, they often make painful choices between a successful career or raising a family. Women and girls are the workforce of the family,they are expected to cook, do the gardening, raise kids and to fulfil other commitments and when they do not perform to the expectations they suffer domestic violence, economic discriminations and forced pregnancies. Vois Blong Mere Solomons International Women s Day coverage

18 Let us consider the 14 kilometres of rugged road which they have to contend with daily, even though it is the main access road for the large broadcast and telecommunication corporations to the Delaikoro main transmitter site or access to the Nasealevu reservoir. The people who go there don t have to worry, they have their big trucks and four wheel drives, one of the women observed. A young mum and her daughter were walking back to the village from the closest kindergarten six kilometres away. They had been walking since 11 am and it was almost 3pm. When it rains it is so bad that the Dogodru school children, who usually wake up at 4am to catch the 6am bus to town, have to walk the 14km to the nearest cane sector office in Waiqele. The Dogodru mothers are part of a micro-enterprise savings group and have invested in large cooking pots and cutlery that they hire outto local communities, and are currently saving up for a hot water urn and considering investing in a computer and internet access FemLINKPACIFIC 3 July There is strong evidence that hardship and hunger not only exist but are increasing because of land tenure issues, inadequate resources to meet the basic needs of the household, and/or customary obligations to the extended family, village community and/or the church. Malnutrition is present, with the proportion of underweight children. Sabita Gandhi, Fiji Poor Relief Society Governments should ensure public housing provisions for female-headed households and to provide loans and assistance to ensure adequate housing that complies with public health standards, and provides access to water and electricty. Working with bilateral donors and Habitat for Humanity and accessing funding streams for climate change migration and adaptation, governments should provide subsidies, a percentage of homes per year, starting with the lowest incomes bracket, for retrofitting water tanks, solar panels, etc. Involve women in disaster preparedness strategy development and implementation by making sure women from the community level are included in designing any disaster preparedness programme. I can hardly grow anything in my compound because that s where the floods come in and when the flood comes my chickens they die if they are small and not able to fly up into the trees.this really gives me problem because it concerns health too, because all the rubbish from the upper hillside come. The water stays for a week and we have to move out of the compound to do the cleaning and there s lack of drainage, the place where I am staying the government has made a drain but all the water from the drain is coming into my compound. Giving the complains how many times they haven t done anything yet, I want to put it here so that my voice goes to them and maybe they can help me out. Savitri Devi, Nadi, FemLINKPACIFIC Rural Broadcast, June/July 2009 Women say: It is the women in flood prone areas who continue to experience and cope with the impact of floods time and again. It is these experiences that should also inform the type of communication strategy that is needed. Greater emphasis must be given to the use of community radio and Our gardens have been washed away. Some areas on the coast had their garden under water. Women actually had to dive to find food. Only bananas survived the rain because they bear fruit above the ground. Rhonda Siro, of Tinputz, one of the female candidates for the reserved seat for women in North Bougainville. other community media initiatives to deliver appropriate information. Women must be involved in location and management of evacuation centres to make sure they are accessible by all people, including women, children, disabled and the elderly First Quarterly Report

19 For women, more guns do not mean more security. They have a broader notion of security defined in human, rather than military, terms. Women most affected by guns often have the best ideas about how to remove them from the community and have knowledge of the signs indicating outbreaks or resurgence of conflict, and even information about where weapons are cached. This information needs secure channels of communication that can keep women willing to pass on their knowledge and work in this area completely safe. 17 Disarmament and Reintegration Recommendations Pacific Forum leaders and the Security Committee should incorporate gender analysis into all aspects of small arms and light weapons disposal programmes by including women civil society experts in official and informal working groups, including border security and control to stop gun running. When the Security Council held an open debate on the Secretary- General s report on enhancing mediation and underlining the importance of having women present at peace negotiations and as representatives, the an absence of women at the mediation table despite UNSCR 1325 and 1820 was described as striking. Attention was drawn to the fact that to date not one single woman had been appointed chief mediator. States further emphasised the need for women to be part of peace negotiations in order to adequately address women s perspectives and secure lasting peace and security. As we are finding, however, to make these commitments practical realities requires some urgent attention to the barriers to women s representation in decision making positions, so that we are not just reciting rhetoric. Fem TALK ENews bulletin July 2009 Women should be involved in the development of legislation on gun licensing, the marking and tracing of weapons and the destruction of home made weapons and ammunition, including through their leadership in traditional ceremonies. We need to encourage women s engagement in conflict resolution and prevention and the negotiation of peace agreements, as their participation greatly increases the chances for sustaining peace during times of conflicts. We need to engage women in post-conflict dialogue and policies to ensure women s participation in creating a system-wide, there is a results-based monitoring and social provisions. There is a direct link between poverty and security; countries with high rates of sexual gender based violence often impede the economic capacities of women. In many developing nations, the traditional role of women and their relationship with land makes them important contributors to food production and economic growth. And it has been recognized that economic empowerment of women is an effective way to combat sexual gender based violence. However, we find that the current UN programmes are unsustainable, often cut short when funding is depleted. We would therefore like to encourage the UN to invest more resources and strengthen existing agencies to promote the link between women s economic empowerment and security. Papua New Guinea Permanent Representative to the UN Robert Aisi addressing the Security Council, 7 August 2009 Disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) programmes should equitably benefit ex-combatants and those taking up and forced into support roles in armed groups. Reintegration and pension packages should include reasonable compensation for years of service, injury, illness, mental illness, trauma and stress counselling and retraining. A Pacific-wide DDR study should be conducted by locals, building on the knowledge of community-based organisations, including cost projects for adequate DDR in the region, drawing on the INSTRAW and DCAF Gender and Security Sector Reform Working Group to support this process.