AP: U.N. defeats Russia resolution promoting women at peace tables
“The U.N. Security Council defeated a Russian resolution Friday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of a U.N. measure demanding equal participation for women in activities promoting global peace, with opponents objecting to its failure to adequately address human rights and the key role of civil society in pushing for gender equality. The email vote on the resolution was 5-0, with 10 countries abstaining, far less than the minimum nine ‘yes’ votes required for adoption. The Russian draft was supported by Russia, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and South Africa. The countries that abstained were the United States, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Dominican Republic, Germany, Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tunisia. Opponents said the Russian draft weakened the initial U.N. resolution adopted in 2000 and nine follow-up resolutions — which Russia strongly denied…” (Lederer, 10/30).

Devex: UNSC avoids adoption of ‘truly shocking’ WPS resolution from Russia
“…Civil society called the resolution the weakest on WPS ever considered, and its proposal by Russia, which rarely drafts resolutions, was a cause for suspicion. Instead of advancing the agenda as an additional nine WPS resolutions have done, Russia’s proposal threatened to roll back protection of women’s human rights, prevention of conflict-related sexual violence, and complete and meaningful participation of women in decisions that impact their lives…” (Welsh, 10/30).