An email list I'm on just sent me this petition from UNiTE (UN campaign), which aims at reducing sexual violence against women in conflict, and getting women a greater say in how peacekeeping and rebuilding takes place after wars. Please have a read and think about signing up.
Make Women Count For Peace
"Women and girls hardly ever fight the world's wars, but they often suffer the most. Increasingly, they are the direct targets of fighting, when sexual violence is deliberately used as a tactic of warfare.
And yet fewer than 10 percent of the people who negotiate peace deals are women, and only about three dozen individuals have been convicted and jailed by international war crimes tribunals for committing or commanding widespread sexual violence.
Sexual violence in conflict is NOT inevitable. It can be stopped.
Ten years ago, in its landmark resolution 1325, the United Nations Security Council called for women's full and equal participation in all elements of peacemaking, and for prevention of this kind of violence. But implementation of this historic resolution has been too slow.
MAKE WOMEN COUNT FOR PEACE
Add your name to this petition and ask your government to support three steps to implement Security Council resolution 1325:
- Prosecute those who command and/or commit sexual violence and exclude them from armies and police forces after conflict.
- Ensure that women participate in peace negotiations and all post-conflict decision-making institutions.
- Increase the number of women in troops, police forces and civilians within international peacekeeping efforts.
Make Women Count For Peace