 |  | | | Women in Reconstruction | 11th July 2007 | | |
 Rebuilding war-torn countries – what priority should be given to women’s involvement?
It’s now more than four years since an American-led coalition overthrew Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq. During that time more than 2,000 coalition troops, and many thousands more Iraqi civilians, have been killed. This week there have been more bomb attacks in Iraq with eight people killed in Baghdad on Monday. Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, Nato-led forces are continuing to battle against the Taleban.
As these two countries struggle to emerge from conflict, how much of a role should women play in the reconstruction process? At what stage should efforts be made to involve women in planning and decision-making? Should the issues of women's rights and women’s political participation be addressed right from the start or should priority be given to establishing security and the rule of law? Jenni Murray discusses this with Paddy Ashdown, author of a new book, 'Swords and Ploughshares', on how societies can be rebuilt after wars, and Lesley Abdela, an advisor on women, democracy and human rights in post-conflict countries, who has worked in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo.
'Swords and Ploughshares: Bringing Peace to the 21st Century' by Paddy Ashdown, is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, ISBN: 978-0-297-85303-9.BBC Country Profile of Iraq
BBC Country Profile of Afghanistan
Organisation of Women’s Freedom in Iraq
Act Together: Women’s Action for Iraq
Afghan Woman’s Hour
Revolutionary Association of Women of AfghanistanDisclaimer
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