Editorial/Editorial.

• Author: Kagoiya, Rachel

All over the world, wars and conflicts have left millions of people killed, traumatized, injured and displaced. Sadly, women and children have borne the worst burden and consequences. Sexual violence against women has often been used as a weapon of war, both to dishonour the woman and the enemy. Women and girls have found themselves at the hands of state security forces, armed rebel groups, armed criminal gangs, and worst even immediate family members and intimate partners. A majority of studies both in Africa and other conflict areas have shown that domestic abuse increases both during and after conflict. Several reasons that perpetuate domestic violence such as "acceptance of violence as a means to assert power and resolve conflicts; the changing role of women in society; lawlessness and a climate of impunity; weak or absent security provision such as effective policing, and hidden male trauma" were identified in a recent UNDP report.

To resolve the global insecurity crisis and broker a lasting peace solution, many have called for the equal participation and full involvement of women in talks on conflict prevention and resolution because their experience of war is different from that of men. In actual fact, women know what needs to be done, they want to be agents for change and they do have a track record of working on these issues. The landmark United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on women, peace and security passed in October 2000, recognises the role of women in maintaining peace and security. The UN Secretary General noted in his 2004 report on women, peace and security that "Resolution 1325 holds out a promise to women across the globe that their rights will be protected and that barriers to their equal participation and full involvement in the maintenance and promotion of sustainable peace will be removed. We must uphold this promise." Today, the full implementation of UNSCR 1325 by all parties is paramount, particularly to monitor national implementation. In October 2007, UNIFEM's Ag. Executive Director, Ms. Joanne Sandler called for the detailed reporting on the implementation of 1325 and the enhancement of the UN Security Council's capacity and mechanism to monitor gaps and achievements in implementation.

In this issue, we bring you articles that amplify the role of women in providing a collective voice to prioritize action for a more secure world. Among them is an article by Agnes Nzisa giving an account...