Progress on Global and Regional Commitments on women's peace and security rights in the Great Lakes

October 2015 marked 15 years of UN SCR 1325 that gave formal recognition to women’s rights in armed conflict and peace building; and the centrality of women’s participation for the development of sustainable peace and... [ view full abstract ]

October 2015 marked 15 years of UN SCR 1325 that gave formal recognition to women’s rights in armed conflict and peace building; and the centrality of women’s participation for the development of sustainable peace and recovery. A Global Study of the implementation of 1325 was commissioned by the UN Secretary General and critical gaps included the unabated levels of sexual and gender based violence in conflict affected regions and the low level of support for women and girls’ empowerment in conflict affected situations despite numerous global and regional commitments to address this issue. Conflict is endemic in the Great Lakes with serious implications for women and girls. This paper is an in depth analysis of the implementation of 1325 in the Great Lakes and subsequent global and regional commitments on women, peace and security, especially the impact on women’s and girls’ empowerment in the areas of protection, participation in decision making, protection and peace and recovery with an emphasis on the development of the girl child. Strategies are proposed on how to implement recommendations of the Global Study for more effective implementation of 1325 and 2242 in the sub region.