WASHINGTON, CMC – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) Friday said it recognizes that the full participation of women in security and crisis management policies is essential to stop the violence they face in everyday life and that is enhanced in crisis contexts.
However, it said that in this sense, it urges States to promote women’s participation and leadership in the construction, execution, and evaluation of crime prevention and reduction policies, as well as strategies to address and overcome crisis situations.
“The participation of women in public affairs is not only a right protected by the Belém Do Pará Convention, but is critical for the success of any state initiative, such as security strategies and to address crises,” the IAXHR said in its message marking International Women’s Day 2024 under the theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.”
“Their participation is necessary so that specific protection priorities and needs are reflected in these policies, which favors the achievement of the objectives of prevention and reduction of crime, violence, and conflict,” the IACHR said.
In the report on the impact of organized crime on women, girls, and adolescents, the Commission has indicated that no security objective can be achieved if the differentiated causes and consequences of gender violence against women are not taken into account.
“The above is based on the understanding that this constitutes a structural problem that is based on discriminatory gender patterns rooted in a patriarchal and sexist culture. Thus, violence is always present in women’s lives, and it worsens in crisis contexts, such as armed conflicts, insecurity, and health crises, among others.
“Therefore, the participation of women in the construction of citizen security strategies, and those related to crisis management and resolution, is crucial to adequately address the differentiated causes and consequences of gender violence against women, both in ordinary and crisis contexts.”
However, the IACHR said that in the region, security policies, especially the fight against organized crime, have not integrated the risk factors and protection needs that specifically concern women.
“Likewise, despite actively participating in managing and resolving crises – such as armed conflicts and health crises – their participation in formal decision-making spaces remains limited.
“Therefore, the Commission urges the States of the region to create and institutionalize spaces that guarantee the participation of women in the construction of citizen security policies and to address crises, at all levels of decision-making, and at all stages.”
The IACHR, the main and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), said promoting women’s participation and leadership in the construction, execution, and evaluation of these policies is not only part of the obligation to guarantee women’s formal and real equality in public life but also has a multiplying effect on achieving equality of rights in all areas relevant to gender equality.
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