Action Alert:
Sign the Petition to Say NO to Sexual Violence in Conflict

“...sustainable peace is possible only with women’s full participation — their perspectives, their leadership, their daily, equal presence wherever we seek to make and keep the peace.”

-- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Dear Friends,

We are writing to remind you that you can make women count for peace.

Women suffer devastating harm during conflicts, including as targets of systematic sexual violence. Yet, they have little say when peace is negotiated. For two weeks,women peace activists from around the world have been meeting senior United Nations officials to voice their concerns and recommendations for peacebuilding in their countries.

Ten years ago, the United Nations Security Council called for women’s equal participation in peacebuilding in the groundbreaking resolution 1325. But its implementation in countries has been too slow.

Say NO to sexual violence in conflict and make women count for peace. Tell governments to make resolution 1325 a reality for women by taking three steps:

• Sign the petition.
• Update your friends about the initiative on Facebook. Here are some sample status updates.
• Tweet using #1325 to let others know. Here are some sample tweets you can use.

Together we can make a powerful statement to the UN Security Council when it convenes to discuss how to fulfill the commitments in resolution 1325 in October 2010.

Please share this action alert with others and stay tuned for news and updates.

It’s urgent. Please help.

Sincerely,

The Say NO Team, UNIFEM