SADC Gender Unit develops gender framework for sec...
SADC Gender Unit develops gender framework for security sector
Date: January 10, 2012
SHARE:
Over the last year the SADC Gender Unit, working with the Gender, Peace and Security cluster of the Southern Africa Gender Protocol Alliance, has developed a framework to serve as a guide for the SADC Organ and individual SADC countries to assist with mainstreaming gender into the security sector. The guide states that gender representation in the security sector is not an end in itself: It should lead to a more effective, efficient and gender responsive security sector where the needs and interests of both men and women are at the forefront.
The guide is an implementation tool for Article 28 of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, which calls on all states to put in place measures that ensure equal representation in conflict resolution and peace-building processes in accordance with UN Resolution 1325. The SADC Organ is responsible for mainstreaming gender into the regional security architecture.
The SADC Council of Ministers, at a meeting held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, in September 2009, directed the SADC Secretariat to initiate dialogue and to develop a regional programme on gender mainstreaming in conflict resolution, post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation processes and projects in line with UN Resolution 1325.
On the 15-17 March, 2011 the SADC Secretariat, specifically the Gender Unit and the Directorate on Politics Defence and Security, hosted a Regional Policy Seminar on Gender, Peace and Security: Strategising for Effective Regional Responses to Gender -Based Violence in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations and for Mainstreaming Gender into SADC’s Peace and Security Architecture. This workshop, held in Johannesburg, was attended by 72 participants: three representatives of each of the SADC Member States; representatives of the SADC Gender Unit and the Directorate of the Organ on Politics Defence and Security, representatives of international organisations and of civil society.
The workshop produced a draft strategic framework for mainstreaming gender into the SADC Organ further refined by an expert meeting from 26 -28 July 2011. Key elements are captured in Table 8.5.
Table 8.5: Gender in SADC Peace and Security Architecture
|
Structure |
Objective |
Recommendations |
|
SADC Organ |
Promotion of Gender Parity in the SADC Organ |
Promote equitable gender representation in all of the structures of the SADC Organ, including the Directorate |
|
Political Sector |
Enable gender inclusive and gender sensitive peace processes. |
Ensure the ratification, domestication, popularization and implementation of approved gender legal frameworks and instruments, for example: UNSCR 1325, 1820, 1888, 1889, Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa and the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development |
|
Promote gender sensitivity in SADC peacemaking and peace building processes. |
||
|
Advocate for gender parity in electoral processes at the national and regional level |
||
|
Ensure that the pre-selection, training and deployment of SADC member states contingents for peace-making, peace-keeping and post-conflict reconstruction efforts are gender balanced |
||
|
Promote the development of a gender responsive security sector |
||
|
Devise mechanisms to ensure implementation of agreed to decisions for gender mainstreaming in SADC’s peace and security sector, including provision for the necessary human resources and funding for implementation. |
||
|
Security Sector (Police, Defence Correctional Services, SADC Standby Force) |
Mainstream gender into the security sector
Increase representation of women in the security sector
Create a more gender responsive security sector |
Advocate for the recruitment, retention and promotion of women in the security sector at the national level |
|
Ensure that member states make provision for gender sensitive infrastructure, equipment and uniforms in the security sector |
||
|
Encourage cross border mentoring and coaching of female security personnel. Benchmark and share best practices and lessons learnt between member states. |
||
|
Ensure gender parity during pre-selection, training (including specialized training) and deployment for peace-enforcement and peace-keeping missions |
||
|
Without compromising on the quality of training, develop measures to encourage women to be involved in specialized training for peace support operations |
||
|
Support the regional police women’s network and encourage the formation of regional women’s networks for defence and correctional services |
||
|
Ensure that early warning indicators are gender sensitive |
||
|
General Recommendations |
|
Ensure the mainstreaming of gender into the programs, plans and budgets of the Organ |
|
The leadership of the Organ should create a conducive environment for gender mainstreaming in the Organ structures |
||
|
Ensure continuous monitoring and Evaluation of the progress achieved in the implementation of gender mainstreaming |
||
|
Ensure involvement of all relevant stakeholders in the implementation process for gender mainstreaming |
Connect with us
Comment on SADC Gender Unit develops gender framework for security sector