Ireland joins effort to end use of rape in war and to give women a voice in peace processes

Published: Wednesday, November 23, 2011

WOMEN'S COUNCIL CEO TO JOIN TANAISTE EAMON GILMORE AND MARY ROBINSON TO LAUNCH GOVERNMENT'S INTERNATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY

African women in Ireland have today welcomed the fact that Ireland will tomorrow [Friday] join an international effort to bring about an end to the use of rape as a weapon of war. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore, will publish Ireland's National Action Plan on UN Resolution 1325, which also commits Ireland to insisting that women have a say in peacebuilding in societies emerging from conflict.

"There are women in Ireland who have experienced gender based violence during conflicts in Congo, Rwanda, Sudan and other countries. They will welcome Ireland's commitment to helping us bring an end to these appalling practises, and to hearing from women during peace talks," said Salome Mbugwa, chief executive of Akidwa, the African women's network, and deputy chairperson of the National Women's Council of Ireland.

The NAP will be launched by Mary Robinson, who has championed the resolution around the world. Susan McKay, chief executive of the National Women's Council will also speak, reflecting the significant role played by the Women's Council and other civil society organisations in the process of developing the Plan. This consultative process was independently chaired by the renowned human rights advocate, Inez McCormack. The civil society groups, including Amnesty, Concern and Trocaire brought the voices of women affected by conflict to the table. "Women pay a high price for war. Armed forces use rape as a weapon in conflicts around the world, and sexual and domestic violence persist when wars are over," said Susan McKay. "This action plan demands that women have a voice during peace processes and a role in any democratic institutions which are set up."

Women affected by conflict in Africa, Bosnia and other parts of the world who are now living in Ireland, some of them as asylum seekers, contributed to the consultative process, as did women from Northern Ireland. The UK's NAP does not include NI and the Irish NAP cannot. "This NAP will afford opportunities for cross border co-operation if NI prepares its own NAP," said Susan McKay. "The Women's Council, along with the Community Foundation for NI and the Belfast based Women's Research and Development Agency has secured funds to develop work on peacebuilding which will commence in the coming months in the border area."

UN Resolution 1325 was adopted by the UN Security Council in 2000. It requires UN members to protect women's rights during conflict and to involve women in peace processes.

The National Action Plan will be launched at 11.30am on Friday 25th November at Iveagh House, St Stephens Green, Dublin 2.

Click here to read NWCI CEO Susan McKay's speech at the launch.....