Background information Global Link Thematic Fund:
‘Women, Peace & Security’ 2012
Introduction
This thematic fund is being launched as a pilot in order to give Dutch civil society organizations the opportunity to
contribute to enhancing public support on the theme of Women, Peace and Security.
This theme is part of our program on Conflict Transformation and Gender Justice. Below you will find a brief
description on Oxfam Novib’s strategy for Conflict Transformation and Gender Justice.
This fund is specifically meant for proposals that fit within our policy on the 2 programs related to Women, Peace &
Security. The projects need to be implemented in The Netherlands and are focusing on campaigning or raising
awareness on issues related to Women, Peace & Security, for example projects on:
- How active participation of women can help to ensure that women’s rights are adequately acknowledged and
form an integral part of post-conflict societies’ structures;
- Women addressing root causes of conflict or demonstrating a leadership role in (post) conflict settings;
- Projects addressing root causes of conflict with a strong gender dimension (e.g. a project focusing on raising
awareness in The Netherlands on the issue of dowry as a serious cause for local conflict between tribes in South
Sudan).
Conflict Transformation and Gender Justice
Evidence shows that gender inequality in a country is connected to higher risk of violent conflict as part of structural
and cultural violence, and that gender inequality and tolerance for violence against women impact on national policy
and discourse on the use of violence and militarism.1 Gender inequality has its roots in an unequal division of power
between men and women. This is culturally and socially defined, almost in every society of the world. It means that
women are less valued, and that certain roles are imposed upon them, as other roles are thought to be only for men.
But it is not only about roles. It is also about a difference in access to and control over resources and about the
practical needs (basic, material) and strategic (ideological, political, intangible) interests. Due to the different
socialization of women and men, often men are in better position (power) and condition (material) than women,
whom are often marginalized and discriminated against. In conflict transformation this leads to the analysis of gender
inequality at different levels: the position of women in society make that men think they can freely dispose of the
sexuality of women and that they may even have the right to rape them. Rape is even used as a weapon of war,
because by raping the women, the men of that (ethnic / religious / cultural) group are humiliated because their
‘property’ is taken away from them. Rape has also the connotation of genocide, because it is done to sow the seed of
the enemy in the other group, with the intention to ‘purify’ the blood.
Conflict transformation aims “towards relationships of respect, cooperation and consent and constructive means and
norms for dealing with conflict”2. This cannot happen without taking both women and men into account but also
realizing the cultural and social norms that result in stereotyping men and women (such as men as heroes or violent
or women as non-violent saints) which results in gender discrimination. Stereotypes and discrimination have
prevented women from entering the political and public spheres in general, and in peacemaking and high level
diplomacy in particular. Although women activists are influencing several political dimensions including the rights
arena, there is enormous need to capitalize on the tremendous potential they hold to negotiate, facilitate, lobby or
moderate both in terms of policies and practices. In many cases there is a distinction made between women’s
participation at the community and the national level.
1
2
SeeCaprioli, Mary, 2000. Gendered Conflict. Journal of Peace Research, vol 37, nr. 1. pp 53-68 and Caprioli, Mary and Boyer, Mark A, 2001. Gender, Violence
and International Crisis. Journal of Conflict Resolution, vol 45, nr. 4, pp 503-518.
Francis, D. “Culture, Power Asymmetries and Gender in Conflict Transformation”. Cited in: Austin, B., M.Fischer, H.J. Giessmann (eds.) 2011. Advancing Conflict
Transformation. The Berghof Handbook II. Opladen/Framington Hills: Barbara Budrich Publishers. Online at www,berghof-handbook.net. Pg 6.
Page 1 of 2
Conflict transformation plans are based on the premise that direct and structural violence cannot be eradicated by
revolutionizing the traditional and deeply rooted beliefs and practices, but have to be based on long term goals and
strategies, which in turn can create tensions and conflicts. However it is imperative to address this cultural violence,
in order to combat the idea that women’s exclusion, discrimination and marginalisation can be socially justified and
acceptable.
Implementation of UN Resolution 1325
Adopted in 2000, the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (on Women, Peace and Security) acknowledges the
importance of the participation of women and the inclusion of gender perspectives in peace negotiations,
humanitarian planning, peacekeeping operations, post-conflict peace building and governance. The goals of the
Resolution are to further encourage the Participation and Protection of women; Prevention of violence against
women and the Promotion of women’s rights; as well as mainstreaming gender perspectives in peace operations.
Resolution 1325 has since been followed by other Resolutions (1820, 1889, and 1960). However, implementation of
Resolution 1325 and subsequent Resolutions (through the establishment and implementation of National Action
Plans) has been weak.
There are several ways for Oxfam Novib and partners to contribute to improving the implementation of Resolution
1325. These include advocating for the establishment of National Action Plans where they do not yet exist and
monitoring implementation where they do; promoting the participation of women, and gender equality in the
security sector, especially police and military; training security forces on gender specific protection threats; making
complaints mechanisms accessible to women; challenging sexual and gender-based violence, including provision of
legal aid; supporting the participation and influence of women in peace negotiations and post-conflict peace building;
and challenging attitudes obstructing women’s leadership in the security and political realms.
Gender Justice
Numerous varieties of gender based violence (GBV) and violations of women’s sexual and reproductive Rights (SRR)
continue to form an enormous problem at local and national levels the world over, often worsened by growing
(religious) fundamentalism. It plays an important role in most of the fragile states and closed societies where Oxfam
Novib is active. Oxfam Novib believes that as long as women and girls are facing violence and are not able to make
free and informed decisions as to their sexuality and the number and spacing of their children, there is little
possibility for them to actively and effectively participate in any social, economical, cultural or political activity.
For Oxfam Novib the overall term that covers violence against women and sexual and reproductive rights is ‘Women’s
Bodily Integrity’.
In Oxfam Novib’s gender policies, combating gender based violence is part and parcel of the gender strategies and is
clearly reflected in the business plans. Oxfam Novib’s intention is to contribute to equal opportunities and rights for
women and to increase women’s say over their life and body.
Oxfam Novib has supported grass-roots women’s organizations and international coalitions that have worked
tirelessly to validate the notion that violence against women is not a private matter. Oxfam Novib has contributed to
the creation and implementation of laws and policies that extend the state’s duty to prevent and respond to genderbased violence to the home and the family. Oxfam Novib and counterparts have worked together to guarantee that
governments were held accountable and that national legislation is conform to the CEDAW (Convention on the
elimination of all forms of discrimination against women) principles. Oxfam Novib has been working at international
level to promote the reform of the UN gender equality architecture (GEAR) through our programmatic as well as our
advocacy work. We have been building the global GEAR campaign and have been leading the Oxfam International
advocacy around the establishment of the new UN women’s rights agency; UN Women.
Women’s transformative leadership is the other important focus of the program 5 strategy for Gender Justice and
integrated in the theme of women’s bodily integrity. To improve people’s Sexual and Reproductive Rights and to stop
Gender Based Violence, strong and good leadership of women and men, young and old people is required.
Page 2 of 2