Month: August 2021

Month: August 2021

Join GNWP as a Junior Peacebuilding Influencer

Junior Peacebuilding Influencer

Context

At the request of some of the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders’ (GNWP) members of the Young Women Leaders for Peace (YWL) program, GNWP is creating a remote volunteer position of “Junior Peacebuilding Influencer.” The position seeks to help increase young women’s experience in global communication strategies and peacebuilding advocacy, and provide them with an opportunity to strengthen their resume. The Junior Peacebuilding Influencer will support advocacy work in their region or country and in global advocacy fora.

The Organization

GNWP is a coalition of women’s groups and other civil society organizations from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, Eastern and Western Europe, Middle East and the Arab world—mostly in conflict-affected countries—that are actively involved in advocacy and action for the full and effective implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) on women and peace and security; and youth and peace and security.

GNWP aims to amplify women’s voices for a more sustainable and inclusive peace. To achieve this aim, GNWP engages in four strategies:

  1. “Full cycle” implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Sustaining Peace agenda by providing technical and advocacy support to develop National Action Plans, their costing and budgeting, implementation and monitoring;
  2. Bringing the voices of local women and civil society to global policy forums;
  3. Empowering young women to become leaders in peacebuilding and sustaining peace; and
  4. Ensuring adequate and predictable funding for WPS and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Resolutions’ implementation. 

Responsibilities

The Junior Peacebuilding Influencer agrees to:

  1. Support GNWP with youth-specific projects and a particular focus on the Young Women Leaders for Peace program;
  2. Provide support in maintaining GNWP’s online presence on social media and in advocacy spaces, including UN and other international fora;
  3. Monitor and track UN Security Council activities on Women and Peace and Security (WPS); Youth, Peace and Security (YPS); and Sustaining Peace in your region/country;
  4. Provide support in the promotion of various programs and projects related to the advocacy for the effective implementation of UNSCR 1325, 1820, 2250 and the supporting resolutions on Women and Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) in your region/country;
  5. Actively engage on social media platforms where GNWP is active (Twitter; Facebook; Instagram) showcasing both in country-level work and global events relevant to GNWP and its partners; and
  6. Coordinate and liaise with the GNWP’s Regional Focal Points and Communications Coordinator for all tasks, as needed.

Qualifications

  • Current or former member of GNWP’s Young Women Leaders for Peace program, or affiliated with one of GNWP’s member organizations in a region where the YWL program is not active;
  • Particular interest in implementing global policies and international laws at the national and local levels; to national and community level and amplifying the voices of grassroots women and youth at the global level;
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
  • Proficiency in English; and
  • A creative outlook, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective.

To apply please send an expression of interest to GNWP’s Communications Coordinator (katrina@gnwp.org) with the email subject line: Junior Peacebuilding Influencer – YOUR NAME

Full details are also available here.

Take urgent action to protect the rights of Afghan women and girls and restore peace

23 August 2021

The Global Women Network of Peacebuilders (GNWP) urges a nationwide ceasefire in Afghanistan and an immediate cessation of violence. As the country faces an escalating human rights crisis and humanitarian catastrophe, we call on all parties to ensure respect for women’s human rights and protect women and youth peacebuilders, human rights defenders, journalists, and activists facing threats and violence.

On 15 August 2021, the Taliban seized power, including control of major cities in Afghanistan, just two weeks ahead of the complete withdrawal of American and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) troops. The subsequent deterioration of security, an ongoing drought, and the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic have left 18 million people in need of humanitarian aid, over 300,000 people displaced, and hundreds of desperate asylum-seekers. In the Taliban-controlled areas, Afghan women are denied access to education, healthcare, protection, and freedom of movement. They are also being subjected to sexual slavery and forced to marry Taliban fighters. Additionally, the Taliban targets women and youth activists, peacebuilders, human rights defenders, and journalists who have risked their lives to advocate for peace, gender equality, women’s rights, and human rights.

Perpetuating oppressive gender roles is central to the Taliban’s governance vision. Therefore, the Taliban’s return to power has begun to derail gains in gender equality and the protection of women’s rights in Afghanistan. Despite their marginalization from the failed Intra-Afghan Peace Process, women have played a pivotal role in building sustainable peace in Afghanistan. The rights of Afghan women, youth, and other historically marginalized groups must be protected and preserved.  Their leadership must be recognized, amplified, and supported in any peacebuilding or humanitarian response to the crisis. GNWP calls on the Taliban to adhere to international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks on civilians and women’s rights.

GNWP stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, especially grassroots women and youth peacebuilders. We echo their calls for:

  1. Immediate action to protect women and women’s rights through:
    • An immediate cessation of all hostilities, nationwide ceasefire, and adherence with international humanitarian law;
    • Immediate support for the evacuation of Afghans who are at heightened risk of persecution by the Taliban, particularly women and youth human rights defenders, peacebuilders, journalists, and activists, through the provision of emergency visas and transportation; and the cessation of deportations of asylum seekers; and
    • Protection of the rights of women, youth, LBGTQIA+ persons, and all other historically marginalized groups, particularly human rights defenders, peacebuilders, journalists, and activists, including through the provision of safe houses and relief and recovery services for survivors of gender-based violence and uninhibited access to education and healthcare.
  2. Gender-responsive humanitarian action through:
    • Immediate, safe, and unfettered access for humanitarian actors aiding across conflict lines through the establishment of humanitarian corridors; and
    • A significant increase in funds for the Humanitarian Appeal for Afghanistan and flexible, direct, and rapid funding to frontline local civil society organizations responding to the urgent needs of women and other historically marginalized groups impacted by armed conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing drought.
  3. Establishment of an inclusive national reconciliation process through:
    • The establishment of an inclusive, Afghan-led, Afghan-owned process of national reconciliation for an inclusive, just, durable, realistic, and sustainable political settlement that ensures the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women, young people, and all other historically marginalized groups;
    • Gender-responsive investigative processes, including those to be established by the United Nations Human Rights Council, to document and prosecute all war crimes and crimes against humanity; and
    • A renewal of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and strengthening UN’s presence with a robust mandate and adequate technical and financial capacities to protect the rights of women, girls, and other vulnerable groups in Afghanistan.

Sustainable peace in Afghanistan will only be possible if it is achieved through an inclusive, locally owned, participatory, and bottom-up approach that addresses the root causes of conflict. It must ensure access to inclusive and quality education, adequate health care systems, a vibrant civil society, religious freedom, and gender equality. GNWP urges the United Nations Security Council and the broader international community to take all necessary action to restore security and civil and constitutional order in Afghanistan, including by re-initiating talks for national reconciliation, meeting urgent humanitarian needs and protecting civil society activists.