Making Australia and Afghanistan accountable: UN Security Council Resolution 1325

The Afghan women's demands are consistent with SCR 1325; none can be achieved without the input and direct involvement of the women of Afghanistan.

Pointing out that corruption is 'one of the main obstacles against women's participation in leadership and decision-making', AWN observes that Afghanistan reconstruction must be premised upon the need for strong, practical, focused measures, consistently implemented, 'against the widespread corruption and embezzlement within the government system'. 'Lack of transparency and accountability' in programmes designed for reconstruction, peace and integration also militates against women's contribution. This, says AWN, has 'obstructed [women's] inclusion and participation in governance at national and provincial levels'. For Afghan women, governance reform and service delivery are vital to reconstruction and to women's necessary role in both.

WILPF (Denmark) emphasises Afghan women's demands that women's security should 'become a measurable indicator of transition monitoring and evaluation'. Under 'Women and Transition', the subjection of women government employees to threats, simply because they are women, is high on AWN's list as inhibiting progress and undermining transition to peace. A 'lack of trust' between Afghan citizens and government is highlighted, with the 'best remedy' being 'a strong rule of law and accountable justice system'. One way to ensure rule of law and accountability is to build on and improve women's capacity, skills and expertise in law and jurisprudence, to ensure women's equal participation, including at the highest levels, in law and the judiciary.

As to Peace and Reconciliation, Afghan women 'demand a 25 percentage quota on the High Peace Council and Provincial Peace Councils', a modest request that cannot be gainsaid as a necessary stipulation in accordance with SCR 1325.

SCR 1325 came into being as a direct consequence of the work of women, most particularly WILPF and its then New York representative, long-time Australian peace worker Felicity Hill. That work and the existence of SCR 1325 have been consistently applauded by women around the world, with women in conflict-ridden countries relying upon its terms to ensure they will not be left out of reconciliation plans and reconstruction programmes.

During the Second World War, in the absence of SCR 1325 or any equivalent, in December 1942 the Australian government under Prime Minister John Curtain established a Department of Post-War Reconstruction. The purpose was to coordinate a public works program, to resettle refugees and to establish programmes for the 'rehabilitation of servicemen' , to bring Australia forward in planning for 'after the war'. In this case, 'servicemen' included servicewomen. In addition, although under the leadership of the Director-General Dr HC Coombs the Department was top-heavy with 'smart young men', women's lobbying for inclusion resulted in some acknowledgement that women had to be a part of reconstruction and its planning. The recognition was, too, that 'after the war' meant just that: planning and reconstruction for peace.

It would be disappointing if, having signed up to SCR 1325, in withdrawing from Afghanistan Australia could not do better in ensuring that women gain equal recognition in reconstruction and the need for women's involvement at equal levels in all mechanisms employed to resolve the conflict and build toward a better future – a future of peace, not war.

Objections to Australia's taking a belligerent role in Afghanistan were many. Wisdom now requires Australia, in moving out of Afghanistan, to honour its commitment to SCR 1325 by ensuring that Afghanistan women's voices are heard – and listened to; that Afghanistan women are equally involved in reconstruction; and that the demands of Afghanistan women through AWN and the concerns raised by WILPF (Denmark) have an impact upon Australia's withdrawal policy. The damage done by war can never be undone. However, rebuilding is possible. SCR 1325 provides a clear direction for supporting a constructive outcome, replacing rubble with foundations acknowledging the importance of women to the resolution of conflict.