The Foreign Service Journal, April 2011

A P R I L 2 0 1 1 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 39 pation agenda of UNSCR 1325 is portrayed as a right or as a matter of empowering women. These depic- tions aren’t wrong, but they are in- complete. The fundamental reason for including women as equal part- ners in negotiations and peace im- plementation is because they bring different knowledge, perspective, roles and relationships to the hard tasks of peacemaking and peace- building. These qualities stand a chance, at least, of improving the performance and outcomes of peace practitioners. What UNSCR 1325 Has Achieved While the response of member-states and many inter- national organizations has been disappointing, the work of civil society groups has been considerably more en- couraging. Their experiences provide some guideposts for future action. To be sure, women are not wait- ing for governments to move for- ward. Despite serious obstacles, including physical danger, activists and organizations — many of them new and dedicated to UNSCR 1325 issues — articulate demands, con- duct research, issue recommenda- tions on peace processes, form self-help groups for protection, and network across borders and conflict lines, among many other initiatives. They do not have the authority or enough power to im- plement the resolution as it was intended, but they are fulfilling some crucial tasks and stimulating a norms cas- cade on women, peace and security. Among the initiatives are simple information cam- paigns. What we found in our study is a rather surprising lack of coordination to inform government leaders, bu- F O C U S The logic of greater participation by women stems mainly from their societal roles. In these roles, they are problem-solvers.