Gender THE WPS AGENDA AND THE

THE WPS AGENDA AND THE INFLUENCE IN PEACE AGREEMENTS

Laura Gómez Rojas

IAFF 1005 Response Paper

November 18, 2016

The objective of this essay is to see how does gender equality or gender mainstreaming

influence peace agreements. Specifically what effect it had on the Colombian peace

process? In this paper, I will talk of the importance of women as main actors in the

Colombian Peace agreement and why should the WPS agenda had a more prominent

position in Colombia. I will explore the cases that favor the more prominent involvement of

the WPS agenda and the disadvantages of this gender mainstreaming. I will show how does

this have an influence on the Colombian peace process and peace agreements in general.

Then I will assess the arguments that are behind them. I conclude this essay by outlining

some policy proposals for the main three actors: the Colombian government, the FARC,

and Ruta Pacifica.

Gender discrimination is an issue that has been present in humanity for ages. It has

different perspectives. While some people decide to ignore it, others fight against it. Many

variables are taken into account when we talk about feminism and women rights; making it

a complex topic to talk about. The ideals of women rights change depending on which part

of the world you are and of the social status you are living in. A clear example of this can

be how the Nordic countries and Latin American countries have political representation.

While in the Nordic countries, women are about the twenty percent of the political

representation; in Latin America there is almost no women representation in politics. For

example in Colombia a country that is going through a major change with the peace

process; we can see that there are other priorities before women and their rights. Colombia

is a country that has been in a fifty-two year armed conflict with the FARC; making the

priorities of the last few decades everything but women rights and their fair representation

in politics. Even in the resolution of the conflict women are not even in the main picture.

The current peace process between the government and the Revolutionary Armed

Forces of Colombia (FARC) is done without the fair representation of women. There is not

a single women being a main actor in the talks for the treaty, and the women that have been

a part of the talks come in as the background. It is unacceptable that in the 21st Century we

are still facing a society that has not realized the importance of having women involved as

main actors in the peace process agreements. It has been demonstrated that when women

are involved directly in the agreement there are more chances for the process to be

successful. Until women are involved in the process and until they have a voice in the

peace agreements, the gender unbalance will still be present for a long time. The problem

that we are facing is the lack of recognition women and their low recognition in society.

Women need to have representation, and the possibility to be recognized because before

this happens gender inequality will still be present in Colombia.

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda should have a more outstanding

position nationally and internationally in order to help gender inequality in Colombia. Their

agenda should prioritize countries that need their help such as Colombia where women are

not entirely represented. Their agenda should include having a prominent position in the

national security policy of Colombia; they should have a bigger influence in order to help

women to have the possibility to participate in the agreement and create a fair environment

for women in Colombia.

Even though there is a lot to do in order establish gender balance in Colombia, there

have been different organizations and actors that have helped women to have a better

representation. The gender sub-committee table talk (Subcomisión de Género de la mesa de

conversaciones) was created due to the social pressure of organizations for women

movements and LGBTI sectors. The purpose of this sub-committee was to make the

revision of the peace agreements; to make modifications for the representation of women

and the minorities in the agreements. Also their purpose was to talk about what was going

to happen with the women and minorities populations that have been victims of the armed

conflict. This sub-committee was really successful. It achieved for women, ethnic

minorities and LGBTI groups to be recognized in the agreements and to be taken into

account in the treaty. This sub-committee helped women affected by the conflict to have an

indirect representation in the talks. It is important to understand that this sub-committee

also helped the women that were in the FARC. Because of this sub-committee education

for women that were in the FARC is going to be possible. They are going to be able to have

equal rights of the education as men and the possibility of basic education. In politics,

women affected by the conflict will have a balanced participation, this means that gender

approach will be guaranteed to strengthen the participation and leadership of women; also

this will help to fulfill the compliance of the agreement.

1

Another organization that has helped to show the importance of the WPS agenda in

order to have a more prominent position is the Summit Meeting of Women and Peace

(Cumbre de Mujeres y Paz) this meeting has happened twice. The Summit Meeting of

Women and Peace is an initiative that encounters different organizations of women such as

Casa de la Mujer; Ruta Pacifica; Red Nacional de Mujeres; Muejres por la Paz; Colectivo

de Pensamiento y acción mujeres; paz y seguridad; Grupo seguimiento de la R1325;

CNOA; IMP; ANMUCIC; and the United Nations in Colombia. Their goal was to

guarantee the participation of different sectors and social expressions from women in a

regional and national scale.

1

Promoción de la participación política y ciudadana de la mujer en el marco del presente acuerdo. Acuerdo final para la

terminación del conflicto y la construcción de una paz estable y duradera. Parte dos. Participación Democrática.

Gobierno de Colombia (2016).

http://www.acuerdodepaz.gov.co/sites/all/themes/nexus/files/24_08_2016acuerdofinalfinalfinal-1472094587.pdf

(Accessed October 30, 2016)

This event aims different objectives. First of all it aims that women can have a

broader participation in the peace process. Meaning that their ideals can be discussed in the

table talks. The second objective of the Summit meeting of Women and Peace is that

women can have an active participation in the construction of peace. Last but not least this

meetings aim that women can be able to construct their ideals and present them in table

talks for them to be discussed. The Summit group is conformed by Colombian women

representatives of diverse process and experiences referred to the sixth point in the general

agreement for the ending of the agreement and the construction of a stable and enduring

peace.

2

The main objective of the Summit was to have a voice the sixth point of the general

agenda about the termination of the conflict. This favors gender mainstreaming and shows

why the WPS agenda should have more influence.