Subject: [fem-women2000 533] Women's GlobalNet #157: UN Open Session on Women and Armed Conflict
From: iwtc <iwtc@iwtc.org>
Date: Mon, 02 Oct 2000 11:02:43 -0700
Seq: 533

IWTC Women's GlobalNet #157
Activities and Initiatives of Women Worldwide
By Anne S. Walker and Felicity Hill

October 2, 2000


HISTORIC UN OPEN SESSION ON WOMEN AND ARMED CONFLICT!

On October 24, 2000 the United Nations Security Council will hold an 
Open Session on Women and Armed Conflict. Open Sessions of the Security 
Council are public and open to all member states of the UN, not just the 
15 members of the Security Council. The Security Council will also hear 
from NGOs in what is known as an "Arria Formula Meeting" the day before 
the Open Session. (See COALITION OF NGOs PREPARING JOINT NGO STATEMENT 
FOR OPEN SESSION below).

This is an historic occasion and we hope you will encourage your 
government to send a high level expert to read a statement in the 
Security Council. We especially encourage you to send a delegation of 
NGOs to visit your Foreign Ministry or the appropriate department that 
will be participating in the Open Session. 

The following are several "talking points" you could use when discussing 
the subject of women and armed conflict with your government and other 
NGOs. You will no doubt have many more that you want to discuss also.

Some Suggested Talking Points: 

- Civilians account for the vast majority of those adversely affected  
in armed conflicts and are increasingly targeted by combatants.

-While  whole communities suffer the consequences of armed conflict,  
women  and  girls  are particularly affected as members of the civilian  
 population, refugees,  internally  displaced persons  and as recipients 
 of  humanitarian  assistance.

-Many of the attacks on women and girls are of a gender-specific nature 
in situations of conflict world-wide.

-There is a need for a more gender-sensitive approach to the protection 
of refugees and internally displaced persons.

-There is a need for  a more  gender-sensitive  approach  to the 
administration of humanitarian assistance.

-There is an urgent need for the role of women in the prevention and 
resolution of conflicts and peace-building at the community, national 
and international levels to be recognized and utilized.

More information on "talking points" can be obtained from the WILPF 
office at the UN (see contact information below).

COALITION OF NGOs PREPARING JOINT NGO STATEMENT FOR OPEN SESSION

A coalition of NGOs that has been lobbying for this Open Session are 
preparing a first draft of a joint NGO statement which will be 
distributed widely for input and for signing, and which will be read at 
the Arria Formula Meeting. For further information about this statement, 
and for information about prepared materials for distribution to 
Security Council delegations and a summary of key documents on the 
subject of women and armed conflict contact:  Felicity Hill, Director, 
Women痴 International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)/United 
Nations Office, 777 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA. Tel: 
(1-212) 682-1265. Fax: (1-212) 286-8211. Email: wilpfun@igc.org. 
Websites: http://www.wilpf.int.ch and 
http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org 


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WOMEN, INK.

For quality, cutting-edge publications on women and development by, for and about women worldwide, see Women, Ink's catalogue at our web site: <http://www.womenink.org>. 

Or contact Women, Ink. at 777 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA.  Tel: Yasna Uberoi (1-212) 687-8633 ext 212 or Mary Wong (1-212) 687-8633 ext 204. Fax: (1-212) 661-2704. E-mail: <wink@womenink.org>

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