Are We Listening to Syria’s Women and Girls?

Originally posted in the Daily Beast here.

Despite legislation meant to help women and girls in conflict zones, much more must be done to ensure rapid action on the ground—especially in Syria.

For the millions of women and girls displaced by conflicts across the globe, it has been a summer of extreme hardship. As a seemingly unbroken series of crises have unfolded from South Sudan to Mount Sinjar, from Gaza to Syria, women and girls comprise the majority of those displaced. They endure further torment as rates of rape, domestic violence and early marriage skyrocket in times of crisis. As Syrian women and girls confirm in a new report, without a change in approach by the international community, women around the world will have little relief from the ongoing violation of their human rights.

In the past 14 years, the UN Security Council has passed no less than seven resolutions on the role of women in peacebuilding, including 1325, a landmark resolution that asserted that women are uniquely burdened by armed conflict and are critical to resolving it. In 2005, UN agencies and their partners outlined – and agreed upon – key actions (better known to humanitarians as the IASC guidelines), which, if implemented during a humanitarian response, would better protect women and girls from violence.

Most recently, the U.K. and U.S. governments launched an international Call to Action to address violence against women and girls in conflicts and natural disasters. Despite these laudable efforts, as we near 2015 with the highest levels of refugees since World War II, we are witnessing the same cycle of sexual exploitation, rape, early marriage and domestic violence as years past. In South Sudan, women are urinating in plastic bags at home to avoid being raped in camps, and just weeks ago, Yazidi girls were being sold into marriage with known enemies more than twice their age in the communities on Mount Sinjar.

Different countries and different conflicts, yet the same horrendous stories of violence emerge. Our past promises have clearly failed to protect women and girls living in conflict zones. We do not need another resolution or guideline to support women and girls and put an end to this violence – we need to implement the resolutions and standards that already exist.

As world leaders gather at the United Nations in New York this week, they should hear what Syrian women and girls have to say in a new report published by the International Rescue Committee. Are We Listening? Acting on Our Commitments to Women and Girls Affected by the Syrian Conflict starkly demonstrates that the growing gap between words and meaningful on-the-ground action by the humanitarian community is resulting in devastating consequences for Syrian women and girls. In this report, women detail the nature and regularity of the gender-based violence they endure in conflict zones, bringing to life the tragic impacts of the current turmoil and the deficiencies in the international response. They speak of their exhaustion and humiliation from unrelenting negotiations for physical and sexual safety when securing food, water, shelter or clothing. Their struggles include sexual harassment when collecting aid, and domestic violence at home.

How is it that women and girls make up the highest number of refugees and displaced populations, and yet, they are the least visible? Women are routinely excluded from key decisions, which range from family safety to the design of humanitarian aid delivery and post-conflict nation rebuilding; the concerns of women continue to be marginalized. Zameaah, a refugee woman whom the IRC interviewed said, “I want my voice to be heard, so that everyone can feel with us.” These women are the best sources of wisdom on their current challenges and needs. Their voices must be heard.

The voices of Syrian women and girls bring new light to the need for the humanitarian community to double down on its efforts to uphold existing global standards for women’s protection in conflict settings. Women and girls, from Syria to South Sudan, want to eliminate the fear that shapes their day-to-day reality, and they require help to do so. We must live up to our obligations and listen to and protect those most vulnerable to violence. In its report, the IRC lays out eight actionable recommendations, which, if acted upon, will make Syrian women and girls not only safer from exploitation and abuse, but also safer and more empowered to be active in their own lives, homes, and communities.

The first of these recommendations includes an evaluation led by the United Nations to assess the current application of standards to protect women and girls with time-bound actions to immediately address the issues they have identified. Second, we must re-frame domestic violence as an imminent threat to the safety of women and girls and as a barrier to accessing aid, and support programs to respond to and prevent it. Third, we must recognize that adolescent girls face unique barriers and risks, and the humanitarian community must focus on creating opportunities for girls and providing services that respond to their unique experiences of violence, including early and forced marriage.

The women of Syria have spoken. It is imperative that the international community set new, higher standards in accountability to women and girls by its actions in the Syrian region and beyond. With the rallying cries of these women propelling us forward, the time to move from rhetoric to reality is now. We must allow their words to guide our efforts to better protect women and girls across conflict settings around the world.

The question is, are we listening?

David Miliband is President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee. He previously served as British Foreign Secretary. Melanne Verveer is the Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. She previously served as U.S. Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues.

Reflections on the Climate Summit and the Role of Women

The global effects of climate change are ever-present, with landslides, floods, and hurricanes wreaking havoc on millions of lives through forced displacement and loss of livelihoods. As world leaders and scientists focus on how to address climate change through policy and action, a critical piece of the debate is often left on the margins: the gendered dimensions of environmental degradation and global warming.

In many ways, women are uniquely and disproportionately burdened by climate change. For example, climate change is making it more challenging for rural populations to access water, food, and fuel – responsibilities that often fall on the shoulders of women in less economically developed communities. Women, particularly in rural environments, rely on natural resources to sustain their livelihoods. The majority of women in developing countries and 90% of women in many African countries work in the agricultural field. Women farmers, for example, are accountable for producing as much as 80% of food in developing countries. 1.2 billion people live in countries where water is scarce. Women bear the burden of providing water for their families and thus are most affected by droughts and flooding. Clearly, a gender-sensitive approach to combatting the effects of climate change is needed for not only the health of our planet but also the security of all peoples.

As part of the opening week of the 69^th session of the United Nations General Assembly, high level officials and members of civil society came together to discuss the gender gaps in climate change policy. At the helm of this effort is Mary Robinson, the newly appointed UN Special Envoy for Climate Change, former President of Ireland, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and lifelong advocate of women’s empowerment. She spoke at two events focused on including women’s voices in the climate discussion: the “Leaders’ Forum on Women Leading the Way: Raising Ambition for Climate Action” and “Voices from the Climate Frontlines” during the UN Climate Summit. The discussions in these sessions emphasized the central role women play in agriculture and how they face the brunt of the adverse effects of climate change. And yet, their voices and perspectives are marginalized due to underrepresentation in echelons of power in most countries. Mary Robinson noted that it is important to recognize that women are not just victims of climate change but also have the extraordinary capacity to be agents for change. Women, at the local level, are the ones dealing directly with the problems of climate change like drought and flooding. These women have the knowledge both of the challenges climate change makes for their communities as well as solutions they have implemented to combat the negative effects. It is vital, as Mary Robinson stated, to include these voices and give these women access to power structures to share their knowledge and help combat climate change.“If we take away the barriers to women’s participation, we would solve the climate issue much, much more quickly.”

Leena Srivastava, Vice Chancellor at the Energy and Resource Institute University in India, noted that until women’s experiences and perspectives are mainstreamed policies around climate change, the challenges women faced by women will only continue to grow. Michele Bachelet, President of Chile and former head of UN Women, discussed how she is working to ensure that women’s voices are represented in the government and addressed by gender-sensitive policies.

Combating climate change will require long term high-level commitment, innovation and collective action but one thing is clear: women must be a part of the solution. We must see women as not only victims of climate change but also, and more importantly, agents of positive change. As Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, reminded the audience, “women are the first and last line of defense against climate change.” We cannot exclude half the world’s population and succeed at combatting climate change.

Rukmani Bhatia is the 2014-2015 Hillary Rodham Clinton Research Fellow at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. She received her M.A. in German and European Studies from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and a B.A. in International Relations from Wellesley College.

Reflections from Girls at the Center: Bringing the Girl Declaration to the Post-2015 Agenda

The 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly General Debate is set to commence this Thursday, September 24, 2014, and New York City is buzzing with civil society activists and international dignitaries. Two trends have already emerged: the importance of engaging men in order to achieve gender equality, and involving adolescents – especially girls – in creating the post-2015 agenda.

Today, I attended Girls at the Center, sponsored by the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), Advocates for Youth, Let Girls Lead/PHI, and the European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development. The venue was decorated with quotes from girls around the world expressing what they would say to world leaders about development in their countries. These quotes, from over 500 girls, served as the basis for The Girl Declaration – “a call to action urging global leaders to put adolescent girls at the heart of the post-2015 development agenda.”

Cathy Russell, U.S. Ambassador at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, identified that we have an incredible opportunity before us this week – “to place women and girls’ empowerment and gender equality at the forefront of the international agenda.” Empowerment is crucially related to successfully advancing gender equality. The international community cannot eliminate poverty and inequality if it continues to view women and girls primarily as victims. Women and girls need to be consulted as full participants, and The Girl Declaration effectively models this imperative.

The 500+ girls, spanning the ages of 10-19 years old, describe the truths they confront daily: “I haven’t played a game in two years.” “Do people know that poor people like us exist?” “My wish is that parents should stop sending their children to have sex for money.” “I hate FGM.” However, they also share their aspirations for actively changing this reality: “I want to be an advocate for women so they do not feel inferior.” “I want to be a police officer so that I can protect the other women who are like me.” “I would like to be a business lady to change the life of my children and my family.” “I wish I could become a doctor to help the poor, cure diseases and discover cures for dangerous illnesses.” “I want to be a teacher so I can teach children how to read and write.”

Fawzia Koofi, a member of the Afghan Parliament, spoke on the distinguished panel. She shared examples of the inequalities faced by women in her country—especially in rural areas where progress has been much slower. In order to accelerate development and gender equality, “we need to strengthen the rule of law,” she said. Koofi firmly believes that we need “women in power, in leadership positions” to foster tangible, lasting change.

Suzanne Petroni of the ICRW noted that focusing on girls’ empowerment is a “critical element” of advancing girls rights and ending child marriage.” Therefore, it was appropriate that the youngest panelist, Memory Banda, delivered the powerful, final message.

Banda is 18 years old, and a member of Malawi Girls’ Empowerment Network and Let Girls Lead. She did not take the podium when she spoke—Banda quipped that at her height she would disappear behind it. This young woman refuses to be invisible, by any definition of the word. As her voice commanded the room, she urged: “Let girls be valued, their issues be prioritized, their voices be heard. What we need is action.”

Taking a Stand and Working Together: Reflections from the UN Women HeForShe Campaign Launch

“Bringing one half of humanity in support of the other half of humanity for the benefit of all.”

Advocating for women’s rights has historically been viewed as a women’s issue, but a shift in perspective is on the horizon to fully engage men in this endeavor.

The HeForShe Solidarity Movement, an initiative by UN Women, seeks to “mobilize one billion men to speak up and take action in ending the persisting inequalities faced by women and girls around the world.” On September 20, 2014, UN Women, with co-host Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson, kicked off one of the largest solidarity movements for gender equality of the 21st century.

Why engage men? Because it makes sense. Just ask some of the male celebrities who have identified as #HeForShe, like Patrick Stewart: “Domestic violence isn’t a woman’s issue—it’s a man’s. Prevention lies in our hands—literally.” Or Keifer Sutherland, who has difficulty with the fact that “simply being born a girl means you don’t get to realize your full potential.” Or Wolf Blitzer, HeForShe’s moderator for the evening, who observed that in developing countries, one in nine girls becomes a child bride, “and HE should say ‘No.’”

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon began his address by noting that those responsible for acts of violence against women were often intimate partners, family members, or other men known to the victim. In fact, UN Women’s Executive Director Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka noted, “Of all women killed in 2012, almost half were killed by intimate partners or family members.” The Secretary General urged that we desperately need a change in attitude – where male leaders “will lead by example – [and] say to men and boys, ‘Do not raise your hands in violence, raise your voice to stop it.”

Violence against women and girls, however, is only one element of this global issue. Women do not receive equal pay for equal work, face disproportionate and unique burdens during times of conflict, and are overwhelmingly underrepresented in leadership positions in government and business. More women than men are living below the poverty line, millions of girls are forced into early marriages and robbed of an education, and many more are trafficked into the lucrative sex trade. This is just a sampling of the reality of gender inequality across the globe.

In his remarks, the Secretary General addressed Goodwill Ambassador Watson, teasing, “I hope you will use your magic wand to stop violence against women.” UN Women selected Emma Watson, who has a fan-base of 14.5 million, as a Goodwill Ambassador to help spread this issue broadly – especially among youth. However, Watson brings more than a following to the issue – she brings sincere passion. Watson poignantly noted that “feminism” has become a dirty word equated with “man-hating,” but “feminism, by definition, is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.”

Watson reminded the audience that not one country in the world has yet achieved gender equality. To stress the urgency of this societal shortcoming, Watson asserted, “If we do nothing, it will take 75 years before women can be expected to be paid the same as men for the same work.”

Watson’s call to action is spot-on: as a society, we must stop equating the pro-gender equality movement with an attack on men’s rights, and engage both men and women in dialogue and action. In a panel discussion on understanding gender dimensions, former President of Finland Tarja Halonen shared a story that related to this misunderstanding. When she became Finland’s first female head of state, she received correspondence from a young boy who innocently asked, “Is it true, Madame President, that boys can’t become president anymore?” to which she responded, “No, my dear, it means that boys AND girls can become president.” The idea is not women’s rights at the sake of men’s; the idea is equal rights for all. Gender equality is a human rights issue, the resolution of which will benefit everyone – socially, politically and economically.

Of course, it will take more than a magic wand to achieve gender equality; as Mr. Gary Barker, International Director of Promundo, reminded the audience, “It’s easy to click on the website…if you feel too good about tonight, you don’t know how much work we have ahead of us.”

You can learn more about HeForShe and take the first step by pledging your commitment to support gender equality here: http://www.heforshe.org. You can watch the full video of Emma Watson’s HeForShe speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTG1zcEJmxY.

Ashley Binetti is the 2014-2015 Hillary Rodham Clinton Law Fellow at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. She received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2014, specializing in human rights and transnational law.