Constitution and Legislative Reform

In transitional states, the creation of a new constitution and legislative framework can be a concrete first step towards establishing democratic governance. A constitution, the highest legal authority of a state, outlines the fundamental principles and framework of government and enshrines the basic rights of individuals.

In the post-conflict environment, the process of drafting constitutions has become increasingly transparent and often includes civic education and public participation through roundtable meetings, constitutional commissions and referenda. Women’s presence in these structures and their participation in such consultations are vital to create constitutions that not only facilitate a sustainable peace, but also guarantee gender equality.

Women’s participation in official capacities as legislators is equally important to promoting their rights and addressing their needs. Experts attribute the increasing number of women in post-conflict legislatures to mechanisms established in the transitional period — quotas, reserved seats, political party lists, indirect elections and other tools — and to the fact that women were present from the outset of the reconstruction process in these countries.

From the Library