A Critique to the ‘Myth of Protection’ of Women in UNSC Resolution 1325

Abstract

This text makes a critical analysis of the “myth of protection”, that is, the widespread belief that men protect and women are mainly victims in contexts of armed conflict and post-conflict. Indeed, in the case of women, both the analysis of their participation in contexts of conflict and the international regulations applicable in armed conflicts have generally focused on highlighting their role as innocent and passive victims. In order to question this view this text first examines the traditional symbolic construction of the “woman-victim”, created on the basis of International Humanitarian Law, and highlights its reductionist character facing a much more complex and heterogeneous reality of women in armed conflicts. Furthermore, it focuses on Resolution 1325 of the UNSC on women and peace and security, especially on its content and limitations for overcoming the traditional view that identifies women with victims in armed conflicts. Finally, using the concrete case of sexual violence against women in armed conflict the text analyses the extent to which this and subsequent resolutions on this topic (specially Resolutions 1820, 1888, 1960 and 2106), far from overcoming that traditional view, have helped to reproduce it.