Background

Pursuant to resolution 45/28 of the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner is to present an analytical report on the mainstreaming of the human rights of women and girls in conflict and post-conflict situations in the work of the Council, namely in relevant resolutions and in its mechanisms.
The objective is to make recommendations to States, Council mechanisms and other stakeholders at its forty- eighth session.

Key Inputs Sought

In this connection, we would like to kindly request your cooperation to provide information in response to the following questions, which will help prepare the report:

1. How does the work of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms mainstream gender equality and the human rights of women and girls in displacement, conflict, and post conflict situations? Please provide information concerning:

1. Legal and normative frameworks, policies and programmes to ensure the respect of the human rights of women in conflict prevention, conflict and post conflict, including participation in decision-making, the right to education, health, and to live free from violence and discrimination. Please provide information on the implementation of the UN Security Council agenda on women, peace and security (1325 and others)?
2. Role of women’s groups, women human rights defenders, women humanitarian, women peacebuilders and girls; and, their meaningful participation in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace building, confidence building, and economic recovery?
3. Prevention measures in place, guided by lessons learned to alert on crises, which might have a negative impact on the rights of women and girls?
4. Measures of accountability implemented or planned to protect and provide remedies to women and girls victims and survivors of human rights violations, including gender- based violence, during and after conflicts by State and non-state actors?
5. Remedies and lifesaving services available to victims of conflict-related violence, measures taken to ensure accessibility to those remedies and services by all women and girls?

2. What are the promising practices, achievements, and challenges in ensuring the promotion and protection of women and girls in conflict and post-conflict settings that have been highlighted in the work of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms (resolutions, UPR, Special procedures, and investigative bodies)?

3. What measures would you recommend to help ensure sustainable, comprehensive, and consistent attention to gender equality and the human rights of women in conflict and post conflict settings in the work of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms, such as resolutions, UPR recommendations, Special procedures country visit reports, and the work of investigative bodies?

See the note verbale in English | Français | Español.

Any enquiries may be made to Caroline Ouaffo Wafang at couaffowafang@ohchr.org or Georgina Mendoza Solorio at gmendozasolorio@ohchr.org.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Permanent Missions to the United Nations Office at Geneva the assurances of its highest consideration.

Inputs received:

Governments

• Argentina
• Australia
• Georgia
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Iraq
• Ireland
• Lebanon
• Nepal
• Qatar
• Spain
• Ukraine

NGOs

• Anti-Discrimination Centre Memorial
• Global Network of Women Peacebuilders
• Northern Ireland Women’s European Platform
• Pathways for Women’s Empowerment and Development
• Reprieve
• Save the Children
• The National Council of Swedish Youth Organizations
• Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
• Women’s Refugee Commission (joint submission)
• World Federalist Movement/Institute for Global Policy
• Young Feminist Manifesto