Hanna’s House Cork November 2009 UNSCR 1325 Lessons in Peace-building From Ireland Bronagh Hinds DemocraShe

UNSCR 1325 Improve the Dynamic and Prospects for Peace Increase the number of women in decision-making in preventing, managing and resolving conflicts Increase participation of women at decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace building Adopt a gender perspective when negotiating and implementing peace agreements Ensure women’s needs are taken into account – involve local women’s peace initiatives – protect women’s human rights Ensure international missions include women Advance and sustain gender mainstreaming

The Challenges of Getting Women into Peace Negotiations Violence and violent actors get the attention Actors with political power get the attention Crowded stage: Multiple factions and players Crowded agenda: everyone has something they want Sustaining energy: long war – long peace process Sustaining action: financial and people resources with dedicated focus Power brokers block access It is the battle for the heart and soul of democracy

Long War – Long Peace Process North Ireland Government suspended & Direct Rule 1972 Sunningdale Declaration 1973 & Power-sharing Executive 1974 Anglo-Irish Agreement 1985 Hume Adams Talks 1990s ‘No selfish or strategic interest’ 1991 Downing Street Declaration 1993 Forum for Peace and Reconciliation 1994 Frameworks Documents 1995 Multi-Party Talks & NI Forum for Political Dialogue Good Friday/Belfast Agreement 1998 Northern Ireland Assembly & Power-sharing Executive Northern Ireland Assembly (Direct Rule) Leeds Castle Talks 2004 St. Andrews Agreement 2006 Northern Ireland Assembly & Power-sharing Executive 2007 Agreement on Policing & Justice to come

Engagement Stages & Strategy Example: Northern Ireland 1970/80s: Relationships: grassroots action learning to work across difference, building common ground & networks 1980/90s: Networking: mobilise on women and decision- making, network across national boundaries/internationally 1990/00s: Capacity building: learn about politics & lobbying, policy engagement Pre-1996: Prepare for Opportunity: connect the civil society women and decision-making agenda with political process March 1996: Create Opportunity: Lobby political parties/ British&Irish govts to gender proof negotiations April 1996: Spot Opportunity: Lobby to include women in the election law for peace negotiations May 1996: Seize Opportunity: Run for election, prepare to enter formal power

Mental Shift From Informal to Formal “difficulty in joining … sectionalised or sectarian political parties” “audacity of men sitting around a table planning the future of N Ireland without women present”

Lessons Strategy of the NIWC Challenge lack of women in major political parties Non-partisan image: suffragette colours Positioning: not middle ground party for middle ground solution – inclusive of all interests and inclusive dialogue Challenge political culture & style: ‘Say Good-bye to the Dinosaurs’! Bind women in: Adopted NI NGO delegation policy positions for UN 4 th World Conference of Women in Beijing Work from key principles: inclusion, human rights and equality

NIWC Candidates 1997 Councils

Lessons NIWC: a different approach Principles: Inclusion: Accommodation: Process: Shared Future: Culture: Problem solving: On-the-job learning: Outreach:

Lessons NIWC Model of Negotiation Assume good faith, honesty and integrity in bargaining Build trust, confidence and relationships Listen actively – to verbal and non-verbal Deal with opposition and resistance Lead change in behaviour patterns Cope with the unknown and unpredictable Think creatively and be innovative Frame and re-frame

Lessons Modelling Democracy Inclusive negotiating process Willingness to work towards accommodation Joint problem-solving v adversarial bargaining refusing to move from set positions Shared effort to search for common ground & advance common interests Separate positions from interests, identify specific needs and offer solutions that respond to needs Comprehensive and complex agenda that offers opportunity for win-win rather than zero sum

Did women add to 1998 Good Friday Agreement? Made proposals on constitution, governance, criminal justice, arms decommissioning, policing, prisoners, human rights & equality – in all strands of negotiations Insisted Good Friday Agreement must ‘speak’ to everyone not just political power-brokers: victims, integrated housing and schooling, women and development of local communities. 2 unique proposals to extend political participation: electoral reform & citizens’ forum

‘The Constitution’ Good Friday Agreement “the right of women to full and equal political participation” “the advancement of women in public life” DemocraShe: formed in 2000 to advance these ideals

DemocraShe 242 women trained over 3 election cycles 41% female councillors & 50% MLAs

DemocraShe: peace & democracy through women in politics “ The cause of women in Northern Ireland is essential to the cause of peace” Senator George Mitchell Chair, NI Peace Talks Speaking at a DemocraShe event on January 29, 2003

Ireland & UNSCR 1325 National Action Plan Department of Foreign Affairs Anglo-Irish Division – learning lessons Conflict Resolution Unit – sharing lessons Ireland’s 1325 National Action Plan Evolving & informed National Action Plan NAP Reference Group Civil Society Consultative Group Special Envoy on 1325 Joint Consortium on Gender-based Violence

Ireland’s Special Envoy on 1325 Dame Nuala O’Loan

Ireland & UNSCR 1325 Ireland’s International Contribution Cross Learning on 1325: N Ireland, Liberia, Timor-Leste Belfast, Dili, Monrovia Lessons, Tools & Models, Recommendations to UN Showcasing Cross Learning Approach United Nations & International Human Security Network Events: (e.g. Iceland Women Negotiating Peace) Ireland’s Special Envoy 10 th Anniversary 1325 in 2010 Rotating SCR Members in 2010 Showcasing Cross Learning Approach

1325 Cross Learning Initiative – Belfast 2009 N Ireland – Liberia – Timor-Leste