By Binneh S. Minteh, Newark, New Jersey.
On Wednesday, September, 30th, 2009, United States Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton chaired a United Nations Security Council session for the adoption of a Resolution giving stronger mandate to protect women and girls in conflicts, at the Security Council Chamber of the United Nation.
Following her Introduction of the Resolution and the unanimous vote of the council supporting the said resolution, Document s/2009/489 Report containing UNSCR 1820 was adopted as UNSCR 1888, 2009.
In her remarks after adoption of the resolution, she cited the protection of women and girls as vital to International Peace and Security. In view of the fact that violence against women and girls has not diminished, thus posing challenges she warned, it is the collective responsibility of the International Community to provide protection.
Citing her experiences at The Democratic Republic of Congo, and the situations in Sudan and Liberia, she noted that considerable progress has been made, but lots remain to be achieved. She opined that the resolution calls for the Secretary General to deploy a team of Experts; governments to introduce mechanisms strengthening judicial processes; gives a new and renewed peace-keeping mandate; expertise in peace-keeping through training, and more women to serve as peace-keepers.
Acknowledging President Obama’s United Nations General Assembly Speech that calls on nations to confront the Protection of women and girls as a major challenge, she warned that the relative peace achieved in GOMA must be an example for the world to emulate.
The United Nations Secretary General, Ban ki-Moon also emphasized that the UN’s commitment to enforce UNSCR1820, Gender equality, and the empowerment of women will be a core of the United Nations agenda. He urged nations to end violence against women, end impunity and redouble efforts in protecting women.
Using the 28th, September, 2009 violent political rupture in Guinea-Conakry, the French Minister of State and Cooperation emphasized the collective action of the International Community as a prerequisite of ending impunity. Condemning the violent sexual raping of women and girls in Guinea –Conakry, he called on the United States and the Security Council for action against perpetrators.
Security council representatives of The United Kingdom, Costa-Rica, Mexico, Austria, Japan, Libya, Burkina-Faso, Uganda, Russia, Vietnam, Turkey, Croatia, China and Vietnam all welcomed adoption of resolution as a milestone in the annals of modern times.
The overwhelming support ushering adoption of said resolution is welcoming news for Global civil society organizations. Hopefully the protection of women and girls in conflict and conflict –prone societies will be at the apex of national agendas of modern times.
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