This past week I became more involved with AWN’s work on UNSCR 1325. The resolution’s ten year anniversary is October 31, 2010, and many around the world are focusing on the progress made on its commitments. UNSCR 1325 is a 2000 UN resolution focused on women, peace, and security. UNSCR 1325 reaffirms the importance of the role women can and do play in all aspects of peace (peacebuilding, peace negotiations, post-conflict reconstruction, etc.), recognizes the detrimental impact of violence and conflict on women, and urges the increased role, participation, and perspective of women in peace and security.

Currently, we are in the beginning phase of compiling data from the past year, in the hope of determining where women stand in terms of participation and level of participation in key areas of influence such as media, governance, and justice. A few days ago, I participated in a working group put together by UNIFEM and UNAMA on concerns and recommendations regarding Afghan women and 1325 to the Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG). Yesterday, we presented our concerns and recommendations to the SRSG himself. We don’t know how loud our voices will be heard in New York, but silence is always worse. However, to revive a stereotype, Afghans rarely ever give up until they get what they want. The hope is Afghan women and the men who support them (yes, there were Afghan men among the women) will fight until the recognitions and affirmations of 1325 are fully implemented in Afghanistan.