HRW tells UN to act to empower women in conflicts

The United Nations and member countries should tackle problems that women in armed conflict endure around the world, Human Rights Watch said in a report released yesterday.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325, a landmark resolution on women, peace, and security, which the Security Council will debate in October 2015.

"The Security Council and governments are better informed than ever about the horrors inflicted on women and girls in armed conflict, but they still drag their feet on the most basic actions to help," said Sarah Taylor, women, peace, and security advocate at Human Rights Watch.

Taylor further stated, "The UN is 15 years late making good on commitments to condemn these abuses, include women at negotiating tables, protect victims of violence, and punish those responsible."

The 20-page report, "'Our Rights are Fundamental to Peace': Slow Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) Denies the Rights of Women and Girls in Armed Conflict," examines shortcomings in government and UN action on resolution 1325, including the continued exclusion of women from peace negotiations and the persistence of sexual violence with little access to assistance.

It draws on Human Rights Watch field research and interviews with women and girls since 2012 in Afghanistan, Colombia, Iraq, Libya, Nepal, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda.