The 1995 Platform for Action states that “the full participation [of women] in decision-making, conflict prevention and resolution and all other peace initiatives [is] essential to the realization of lasting peace.” (The Institute for Inclusive Security, 2009: 2) In October 2000, Security Council Resolution 1325 reinforced this recognition of the important role played by women in peace and security. This pioneering resolution attempted to correct the disproportionately low representation of women in formal peace processes (Mcghie & Wamai, 2011: 5) however realisation of this obligation is limited. (The Institute for Inclusive Security, 2009: 1) Women remain the largest group of stakeholders regularly excluded from official negotiation processes.(The Institute for Inclusive Security, 2009: 1) Whilst gender sensitive conflict mediation is not a panacea to cure the ills of peacemaking, it is an under-utilised practical necessity (Potter, 2008: 56) Influence of women on peace agreements are always beneficial (Buchanan, 2011: 6)and importantly, when women are actively involved, peace agreements are more credible and cover a broader range of issues. (The Institute for Inclusive Security, 2009: 2) women’s participation has an impact not only on the peace process but also on its outcome and on the durability of peace The advantages of participation of women in mediation and peacemaking processes can be divided into three: effects on the nature of the process itself allowing for a smoother process, broadening the concerns addressed to include more community wide needs and improving the legitimacy and sustainability of the final agreement by securing benefits for the whole population. (Mcghie & Wamai, 2011: 3). This essay will address thes...
... middle of paper ...
...ssue and every nuance” can be fitted in, applying a gendered perspective enriches visions, discussions and possibly agreements on post-war stability, peace and development. Therefore the importance of women’s participation in mediation and Peacemaking processes goes beyond simple inclusion and equality, extrapolating far reaching community based advantages.
Works Cited
Buchanan, C. (2011). Peacemaking in Asia and the Pacific: Women ’s participation, perspectives and priorities. Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, (March).
Mcghie, M. P., & Wamai, E. N. (2011). Beyond the Numbers. The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.
Potter, A. (2008). Gender sensitivity : nicety or necessity in peace-process management ? The OSLO Forum Network of Mediators.
The Institute for Inclusive Security. (2009). Strategies for Policymakers: Bringing Women Into Peace Negotiations, (2), 1–24.
"Peacekeeping and Peacemaking." Reading and Remembrance . N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2014. . (tags: none | edit tags)
The basis of this paper is to review and examine specific principles and theories of cooperation and argument management as reflected by a specific story of the Middle East peace process within the named article. The article is entitled "The Wounds Of Peace," by Connie Bruck. This, of course, is one individual author's perspective, yet, nevertheless, it is the view of this author that much of the content is historically factual and accurate, with a definite sense of individual perspectives as purported by the author. To the greatest extent, this author shall attempted to meet those requirements as per the related principles and theories of negotiation and conflict management. Similarly, this will take place within the context of the Middle East peace process, guided within a specific time and place. To a large extent, this author should also like to state that his perspectives will emanate from those theories and principles which are rooted within negotiation and conflict management. Probably, no where else on this Earth (with the possible exception of Northern Ireland) are the principles and theories of negotiation and conflict management more contentious than those that exist within the Middle East
On September 5, 1995, Hillary Clinton delivered an influential speech at The Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Clinton expresses general concern over escalating violence toward women, in other word’s gendercide. “Gendercide refers to the systematic elimination of a specific gender group, normally female. It’s most common in India, China, and other regions in Southeast Asia” (GirlsKind Foundation). Crimes, such as bride trafficking, infanticide, abandonment, and dowry related murder; often take place within private households, going unnoticed and not even acknowledged. “Tragically, women are most often the ones whose human rights are violated. Even now, in the late 20th century, the rape of women continues to be used as an instrument of armed conflict Women and children make up a large majority of the world’s refugees” (Clinton 3). By addressing her speech in Beijing, where gendercide is prevalent, Hillary expressed her objective effectively not just the United Nations, but to audiences across the world. Clinton effectively delivered her speech by portraying her purpose for women to achieve equality and better opportunities, with ethical appeals, emotional appeals, and logical appeals.
The contribution of the feminist standpoint in IR theory definitely sparks discussion and debate bringing forth new perspectives which demand to be heard and considered from the more ‘orthodox’ IR theories, previously privileged assumptions and preconceived ideas. This grand entry for the feminists was towards the denouement of the Cold War in the 1980’s , Kirkpatrick; influential US ambassador of the UN during that period was noted to have said that she felt like a “mouse in a man’s world”. Is this still the case with women worldwide and particularly in the West? Tickner’s groundbreaking work set the foundation and key to early feminist IR. Whilst simultaneously interrogating the core issues in mainstream IR, particularly in peace and security, contingent on feminist bases for gendered grasp of issues that have defined it. In this essay we will firstly try to identify and comment on the emergence of feminism within IR in the 80’s. Secondly, we will pin-point and analyze which contributions were of the greatest importance, predominantly via Tickner and Keohane. Finally we will look at the impact and importance of the different types of feminist theories and whether or not they have achieved at enriching our understanding of IR theory.
M. E. McGuinness (Eds.), Words Over War: Mediation and Arbitration to Prevent Deadly Conflict (pp. 293-320). New York: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Ott, Marvin C. "Mediation as a Method of Conflict Resolution: Two Cases." International Organization 26.04 (1972): 595-618. JSTOR. Web. 3 Dec. 2013.
Despite a failed attempt for reelection, due to what many felt was an ineffective presidency, President Carter regrouped and focused his efforts. Instead of relaxing and vacationing his way into retirement, he set forth with a grandiose vision. He assembled a team and formed the Carter Center with a visionary goal, “work to build sustainable peace in emerging democracies and to prevent and resolve conflicts” (The Carter Center, 2014). Drawing from his early years as a Naval Officer and from his Presidency, his astute knowledge of global diversity: knowledge and experience with foreign cultures, coalition partners, and foreign nationals, put him in the perfect position to be an international mediator (Thomas N. Barnes Center, 2012).
This investigation requires further study of the breakdown of the number of women involved in all levels of the pol...
When looking at a report from Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the UN, the proportion of women in the UN at the levels in the Secretariat, with contracts for one year or longer, rose 1.7 % last year to 37.4 % on the end of June of this year. Furthermore, 83.3 % of staff at the lowest professional level, called the P-1, was made up by women but only 16.7 % of the highest staff level, the Under-Secretaries-General, was formed by women. What are the reasons for that? Is it more difficult for women to get employed at the highest staff level? What the report in general showed was that the analysis of the longer-term trends portrayed a picture of uneven progress in women’s representation at all levels. The reasons for that included unacknowledged biases among hiring managers who are not being held accountable. Moreover, another cause related was that the expectations were that managers must work long hours and always be available thereby fostering imbalances between work and home life. In addition, jobs for spouses of UN employees are not always easy to find in UN host countries according to the report and permission to work is sometimes slow in coming, making transfers impossible for some families. Like for every other company or organization the goal should be to have evenly distributed work chances for both genders which should also be reflected in the employment policy of the company. The annual growth rate towards this evenly distributed employment goal in the UN is expected to rise by only 0.4 % in professional and higher categories for appointments of one year or more.
Although the field of conflict resolution has developed many theories on how conflicts can be resolved through peaceful methods to implement durable settlements, most of these theories are influenced by the Western perspective as it dominating the field, which doesn’t address the Middle Eastern context. Researches in the field of conflict resolution and international mediation tended to the fact that in certain circumstances, the impact of conflict may compel neighbouring states and actors to immediately take initiatives. There is, therefore, a need to consider adopting a multi-level approach of conflict resolution that would address this gap. Although Porto’s argument is on the need to adopt a multi-level analysis only on the causes of conflicts, the same should be applied in the resolution process. This would suit the Middle Eastern context since most of the conflicts are explained in the level that is between the state and systemic levels. It is important to develop an approach to conflict resolution beyond the process, which will also consider how structures operate between the various levels.
In resolving conflict, peaceful negotiation through mediation by third party is the most likely alternative rather than any other instrument. However, mediating two conflicting groups that are in the strikingly different trajectories is ultimately difficult. The mediator must apprehend the complexity and context underlying conflict as well as cultural barriers impinges mediation and communication efforts. Cultural constraint exerts a significant impact on the process and the outcome of mediation. Therefore, insider mediator equipped with intercultural skill is definitely indispensable.
Santa-Barbara, Joanna. (2009). Reconciliation In C. Webel, & J. Galtung (Eds.), Handbook of Peace and Conflict Studies (pp.106-120). New York: Routledge.
Anderson, M. B. (1999). Do no harm: How aid can support peace—or war. London, England: Lynne Rienner Publishers
... for granted. Therefore, it is without a doubt that the incorporation of gender would enrich international relations theory. Tickner, in her critique of Morgenthau has attempted to depict the gender-bias prevalent within the field. By building on Morgenthau’s founding principles in political realism and of international politics, Tickner makes an insightful contribution to the field of international relations by challenging pre-existing paradigms. She is open to Morgenthau’s masculine-embedded principles, and does not refute them but ultimately contends that for complete comprehension of international politics, masculine and feminine contributions must be equally represented. Without a feminist perspective, an incomplete picture of international politics is painted. Feminist perspectives improve our analysis, knowledge and understanding of international politics.
“Women’s human security rights in the Arab world: on nobody's agenda.” 50.50 Inclusive Democracy, 2 Dec. 2013. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.