STUDY GUIDE
Topic: Strengthening Global Solidarity and Advocacy for
Women Affected by Conflict
Introduction:
Welcome delegates to the United Nations Women Committee!
In this Model United Nations (MUN), we will be addressing the
vital issue of strengthening global solidarity and advocacy for
women afflicted by conflict. As conflicts continue to impact
communities worldwide, it is imperative to prioritize the needs
and rights of women who often bear a disproportionate burden
of violence, displacement, and socio-economic challenges in
conflict zones. Throughout this committee session, we will
explore the challenges and problems faced by women who are
living in those areas which are affected by conflicts. We will also
discuss the possible effects of conflicts on women and their
daily lives as well as the outcomes of further deprivation of
solidarity and advocacy for women in conflict affected areas. In
conclusion, eventually the solutions and better ideas for the
improvement of advocacy and solidarity for women in areas
affected by conflict will be discussed.
Committee UNW (United Nations Women) – Overview
The United Nations Women, also known as UNW or UN Women, is a significant
United Nations agency with a dedicated focus on promoting gender equality and
women's empowerment worldwide. Established in July 2010, UNW was formed
through the integration of four existing entities dealing with gender issues,
unifying their strengths and expertise under one cohesive structure. Its primary
objective is to address the persistent discrimination and marginalization faced by
women and girls around the world. By advocating for women's rights, ensuring
their inclusion in decision-making processes, and supporting gender-responsive
policies, UNW aims to create a more equitable and just global society.
Mission
UN Women's mission revolves around achieving gender equality and empowering
women. The agency firmly believes that gender equality is not only a fundamental
human right but also a crucial prerequisite for sustainable development and
global peace. Through collaboration with governments, civil society organizations,
and other stakeholders, UNW strives to remove barriers hindering women's
progress and opportunities, empowering them to fully participate in social,
economic, and political spheres. It is committed to eradicating gender
discrimination, safeguarding women's rights, and promoting the implementation
of gender-responsive policies.
Activities and Global Agenda
UN Women is actively engaged in various activities to advance its global agenda.
These activities encompass a wide range of initiatives, including promoting
women's economic empowerment, advocating for their political participation,
combating violence against women, enhancing their role in peace and security
processes, and driving gender-responsive climate action. The agency also works
diligently to address gender disparities in education, healthcare, and access to
resources. Moreover, it consistently endeavors to raise awareness about the
importance of gender equality and mobilize support for women's rights across
diverse cultures and societies. It also works in areas affected by conflicts or war
zones in order to make sure that women there don’t face any social, economical
or political problem.
Key Areas of Focus
The key areas of focus for UN Women’s work include:
1. Women's Economic Empowerment: UNW supports initiatives that
facilitate women's access to economic resources, entrepreneurship
opportunities, and financial services, aiming to foster their economic
independence and participation in the workforce.
2. Women's Political Participation: The agency advocates for increased
representation of women in political decision-making roles, both in
governmental and public administration, to ensure policies and legislation
consider women's perspectives.
3. Ending Violence Against Women: UN Women actively campaigns to
eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, including domestic
violence, human trafficking, and harmful practices like child marriage and
female genital mutilation.
4. Women, Peace, and Security: UNW promotes women's involvement in
peace building and conflict resolution efforts, recognizing the critical role
they play in establishing sustainable peace and security.
5. Gender-Responsive Climate Action: UN Women addresses the impact of
climate change on women and girls, advocating for gender-responsive
climate policies and empowering women to participate actively in climate-
related initiatives.
Impact
UN Women's efforts have had a substantial impact on promoting gender equality and
empowering women globally. The agency's advocacy and support have led to legislative reforms
and policy changes in many countries, resulting in improved protections for women's rights and
increased opportunities for their advancement. UNW's initiatives in education and healthcare
have contributed to bridging gender gaps, providing better access to quality education and
healthcare services for women and girls.
Moreover, UN Women's focus on women's economic empowerment has empowered them to
overcome poverty and enhance their social standing. Its efforts to end violence against women
have raised awareness and mobilized support for survivors, driving greater emphasis on
prevention measures.
In the field of peace and security, UNW's initiatives have underscored the importance of
women's participation in peace processes, leading to increased representation and engagement
in conflict resolution efforts. Additionally, its emphasis on gender-responsive climate action has
drawn attention to the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and influenced
policies to address this issue.
Despite progress made, challenges persist, and UN Women remains steadfast in its
commitment to promoting gender equality until it becomes a reality worldwide.
Overview of the Topic:
In recent decades, armed conflicts have proliferated worldwide, leaving
devastating consequences for millions of individuals and communities.
Among those disproportionately impacted by conflict are women, who
often face unique and heightened risks of violence, displacement, and
deprivation of basic rights and services. The topic of strengthening global
solidarity and advocacy for women affected by conflict underscores the
urgent need to address the multifaceted challenges faced by women in
conflict settings and to ensure that their voices, rights, and needs are
prioritized in international responses.
Key Challenges Faced by women:
Gender-Based Violence: Women in conflict zones are at heightened risk of
experiencing various forms of gender-based violence, including sexual violence,
forced marriage, and trafficking.
Displacement and Vulnerability: Conflict-induced displacement exacerbates the
vulnerability of women, exposing them to risks such as homelessness, poverty,
and exploitation.
Access to Essential Services: Women in conflict affected areas often lack access to
critical services such as healthcare, education and livelihood opportunities,
further exacerbating their marginalization and impoverishment.
Impunity and Lack of Justice: Perpetrators of gender-based violence in conflict
often operate with impunity, with limited accountability for their actions, leading
to a cycle of violence and injustice for women.
Importance of Global Solidarity and Advocacy:
Amplifying Voices: Global solidarity and advocacy efforts play a crucial role
in amplifying the voices of women affected by conflict, ensuring that their
experiences, needs and perspectives are heard and addressed to the
international level.
Empowering Women: By advocating for the rights and empowerment of
women in conflict settings, global solidarity initiatives contribute to
enhancing women’s agency, resilience and leadership in rebuilding their
communities.
Holding Perpetrators Accountable: Advocacy efforts can pressure
governments and international actors to uphold their obligations under
international law and take concrete steps to prevent and respond to gender
based violence in conflict.
Solutions:
Strengthening Partnerships: Encourage collaboration and partnerships among
governments, civil society organizations, UN agencies, and other stakeholders to
enhance coordination and coherence in efforts to support women affected by
conflict.
Ensuring Inclusive Approaches: Emphasize the importance of inclusive and
participatory approaches that center the voices and experiences of diverse
women, including those from marginalized and conflict-affected communities, in
advocacy and decision-making processes.
Investing in Prevention and Response: Advocate for increased funding and
resources to support comprehensive prevention and response strategies for
gender-based violence in conflict, including early warning systems, survivor-
centered services, and legal assistance.
Empowering Women's Leadership: Promote initiatives to build the capacity and
leadership skills of women in conflict-affected areas, enabling them to actively
participate in peace building, conflict resolution, and decision-making processes
at all levels.
Conclusion:
Strengthening global solidarity and advocacy for women affected by conflict is
not only a matter of human rights and social justice but also essential for
achieving sustainable peace, security and development worldwide. Through
concerted action and commitment, we can work towards a future where
women in conflict settings are empowered, protected and able to realize their
full potential.
Possible areas of discussion for delegates (Moderated Caucus ideas):
A moderated caucus on the topic of "Strengthening Global Solidarity and
Advocacy for Women Affected by Conflict" provides an opportunity for
delegates to engage in focused and substantive discussions on specific aspects
of the issue. Here are some ideas for topics and questions to guide the
moderated caucus:
1. The discussion of the major terms
i. Global Solidarity
ii. Advocacy
2. Areas where conflict have ceased rights from women
3. The economical effects of conflicts and war zones on women
4. The political effects of conflict zones on women
5. The social effects of conflict zones on women
6. How Global Solidarity is affected in conflicts?
7. How advocacy is affected in conflicts?
8. How can innovative approaches, technologies, and partnerships be leveraged to
enhance efforts to support women affected by conflict?
9. How do intersecting factors such as ethnicity, race, religion, disability, and age
impact the experience and vulnerabilities of women affected by conflict?
10. How can governments, civil society organizations, UN agencies and other
stakeholders collaborate more effectively to strengthen global solidarity and
advocacy for women affected by conflict?
Conclusion:
In the concluding part of the committee session, delegates should
collaboratively draft a comprehensive resolution addressing the
strengthening of global solidarity and advocacy for women affected by
conflicts. Encourage diplomatic discussions and creative solutions to
achieve the resolution's goals. The ultimate aim of this MUN simulation
is to foster meaningful dialogue, build consensus, and advocate for
gender equality worldwide. Good luck, delegates, and may your
discussions lead to positive and impactful change!
