The U.N S.C Resolution 1325: what is its effective impact on Congolese women?/La Resolution 1325: quelle est sa portee effective pour la femme Congolaise?

• Author: Matundu-Mbambi, Annie

The adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 has undoubtedly influenced opinion on the issue of the contribution of women to peace and security in the world. The department of Peacekeeping operations has taken decisive steps in the implementation of the SCR 1325. This is the case for the operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where gender experts play an important role in putting these questions at the center of Peacekeeping operations work. This resolution has become a model of activities to ensure the protection of women by the Peacekeeping operations. Although, progress have been made in the 12 critical fields of actions, there is a persistence of violence against women, a tow level of representation in the political arena, the prevalence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic among women and young girls; the impact of gender based violence and, their representative absence from the peace process. Seven years after SCR 1325 was adopted, the gap continues to grow between, on one side, the laws and the conventions on fundamental rights at the international level and on the other those on the national level. There is still a very large difference between policies and practice.

Congolese women, particularly those living in the east of the DRC continue to be victims of armed conflicts, in spite of the efforts and interventions of the international community to punish the crimes committed against them. Articles 1, 2 and 8 of SCR 1325 take into account representation of women in decisionmaking positions and in peace processes. Despite the existence of these provisions, there is in reality ineffective application of this legal principle. The culture of impunity, which benefits perpetrators of violence against women, blocks their participation in the rebuilding processes of the DRC. This resolution should be implemented so that the violent crimes against women and gifts are subjected to penal sanctions. The United Nations Security Council missions and PK missions to the DRC should always work with local, regional and national nongovernmental associations working for peace and human security. Furthermore, the missions should take into account the needs and priorities of all those who are concerned. In effect, there is insufficient synergy observed between those acting and working on the question of peace and security.

Needs are best expressed by those who require it.

From a disparity point of view, the inequality between men and women, in the DRC, remains striking. The statistics are clear from the table below. They highlight the wide gap between the principle of significant representation of women in the recently established institutions and the absence of women in the peace...