GAPS Newsletter: October 2024
Welcome to the GAPS October Wrap-Up
UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security
The Security Council held its annual debate on women, peace and security in New York this month, titled: “Women Building Peace in a Changing Environment”. UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, spoke to the contexts of Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan and Yemen, emphasising that we must ‘reinforce our resolve to support women advocating for their rights, agency and inclusion at every opportunity’. As GAPS acknowledged, it has been 24 years since the adoption of Resolution 1325 and hard earned progress is being eroded by anti-gender movements, increasing conflict, climate change and other transnational threats. This is occurring within a landscape where military spending is on the rise and bilateral aid is decreasing; the Secretary-General’s report has recorded a decrease in funding reaching Women’s Rights Organisations and Women-Led Organisations in crisis for the third consecutive year.
The LEAP4Peace Consortium launched a series of papers at an event during WPS Week
GAPS hosted an event at WPS Week as part of the LEAP4Peace Consortium, “Supporting women peacebuilders for transformative change: lessons and recommendations from the LEAP4Peace consortium and Myanmar.” This event launched a report series on women’s participation developed by the Consortium.
UK, Canada and EU announce further sanctions in Myanmar
The month of August had the highest number of airstrikes on record by the Myanmar military. The UK Government, Canadian Government and EU have announced further sanctions on companies that supply aviation fuel and equipment to the Myanmar military. In an address to the UN Security Council during the open debate on WPS, the Founder of Women’s Peace Network, advocating for peace and equality in Myanmar, addressed the increase of gender-based violence in Myanmar, primarily by the military, and other armed groups. Ms. Wai Wai Nu urged for the root causes of the conflict to be addressed and for the legacy of impunity to end.
One year on from the start of the genocide in Gaza
October 7th marked one year since the beginning of Israel’s bombardment on Gaza. GAPS published a secretariat statement, “today, a year on, our thoughts are with the family of all those killed, the hostages, the detainees, and those forcibly displaced.” Read here.
Israeli parliament approves bills to ban UNRWA
The Israeli Knesset has passed two laws banning the UNRWA from areas under Israeli control, including the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, and recognising the relief agency as a terrorist organisation. Foreign ministers have released a statement recognising the essential and life-saving work of the agency and urging the Israeli Government to abide by its international obligations.
October Reads
From gender-relevant to gender-transformative climate finance
Women’s rights organisations are essential actors often working at the forefront of climate action. It is therefore vital that they can participate in climate financing decisions. As the climate crisis accelerates, its repercussions disproportionately affect women, girls, and other marginalised communities. Addressing the inequalities requires targeted resources and policies. Read here.
Rethinking the Narrative on Palestine: Towards a Feminist Liberation Agenda
One year has passed since the world witnessed the intensification of war crimes and the horrific genocide in Gaza, perpetrated by Israel. This is the start of WILPF’s blog series, which offers a nuanced feminist understanding of the longstanding, intersecting systems of oppression in Palestine. This piece interrogates power structures and uncovers the interconnectedness of patriarchy, militarism and colonialism in perpetuating the ongoing violence. Read here.
Protecting Participation: Women civil society at the UN Security Council
For the second year in a row, the participation of diverse women civil society at the Council has declined. In 2022, there were 56 women civil society briefers and in 2023, that number decreased to 45, a 27% decline compared to the record high in 2021. Nine months into 2024, there had only been 30 women civil society briefers. With just a few months left before the end of the year, we hope this downward trend will not continue for a third year in a row. Read here.
Enabling change: Lessons from grant-making to increase women’s participation in peace processes
Conciliation Resources has been working with the UN Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund’s Rapid Response Window since 2021 to support women peacebuilders and increase women’s participation in peace processes and the implementation of peace agreements. This report captures lessons from their work with partners in Liberia, Kenya and Ethiopia, covering what can be learnt from these unique efforts to improve women’s participation, and what donors, INGOs, policymakers and practitioners need to do to better support women peacebuilders. Read here.
LEAP4Peace Consortium: Paper Series Launch
Women’s participation in peacebuilding is a crucial step in furthering gender equality, achieving women’s rights and reflecting the needs and perspectives of women directly impacted by the conflict- which are often ignored. But how can we ensure the participation, protection and empowerment of women in peacebuilding and political processes? To advance this goal, the LEAP4Peace Consortium have authored a series of papers on innovative and transformative approaches to systems and structures of peacebuilding in Myanmar; Burnudi; Colombia; and globally. Read here.
In case you missed it
GAPS joined the call to action led by ActionAid: Defend UNRWA from Israeli ban and prevent catastrophic consequences for Palestinians
GAPS has launched its blog, Bridging the GAPS: a platform for bold and critical thinkers across gender, peace and security! Read this month’s blog post written by GAPS’s very own PAC Manager, Sangeetha Navaratnam-Blair on “Representation for Representation’s Sake” here.
More than 170 humanitarian, human rights and peacebuilding organisations called for a ceasefire in Lebanon, Gaza and Israel, and an end to the impunity. Read the statement here.
15 NGOs call on the UK to take urgent action to protect Palestinians in Gaza from imminent existential threat they face. Read the statement here.
628 organisations and feminist groups from 110 countries urged the UN Security Council to centre gender justice in peace processes. Read the open letter here.
The NGO Working Group on WPS & Member States issued a collective call to protect women’s rights in conflicts and crises around the world. Read here.
Job Board
Oxfam
Gender Lead, (Global), 3 November.
Gender Coordinator (Ukraine), 30 November.
Women for Women International
Administrative and Programme Management Consultant (Nigeria), 30 October.
Care International
Senior Programme Development Specialist (London), 7 November.
International Rescue Committee
Executive Director, (London), not stated.