27/04/2010 Session
In a resolution adopted today, the Assembly invites Council of Europe member states to "acknowledge that women must be fully involved in the conflict prevention and resolution and crisis management process". Members take the view that, in areas of Europe where there are unresolved conflicts, as in other conflict and post-conflict zones in the world, women are too often ignored in the peace negotiation process.
In this context, the rapporteur of the Committee on Equal Opportunities, Krista Kiuru (Finland, SOC), points out that women are often skilled at bridging ethnic, religious, political and cultural divides, and can play an active part in mobilising their communities in rebuilding after hostilities are over.
The PACE also encourages member states to "include a gender perspective in intervention, peace-keeping and crisis management operations". Active policies should be pursued to empower women in any areas of unresolved conflict, ensuring at least 40% female participation in decisions relating to any peace process. The Assembly also invites the Committee of Ministers to "adopt a recommendation on the role of women and men in conflict prevention and resolution and in peace building as soon as possible".