means of strengthen responses to UNSCR 1325 by placing women in significant decision making structures.188 a) Human Rights Based Approaches to gender and peacebuilding Both the PSC and the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, endorse the integration of human rights issues as conflict early warning indicators.189 There is an exponential linkage between conflict and increased gender-based violence that can signal early warnings of impending conflict.190The UN Commission on the Status of Women urges member states of CEDAW to promote and protect the full array of rights for women and girls during conflict prevention, conflict management and resolution and in post-conflict peace-building phases.191 In 2013 when the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women issued General Recommendation 30 on Women in Conflict prevention, Conflict and Post Conflict situation, it emphasised the nexus between Women, Peace and Security and the implementation of rights outlined in CEDAW, stating that countries should assess how conflict affects the whole gamut of Convention rights.192 The Committee extends this standard to women and girls under threat of violence, calling on states to provide protection and security to allow for women`s freedom of movement and participation in social, political and economic activities. This includes the rights of women to form and join vibrant civil society associations that can promote peacebuilding. Such rights should not be unreasonably curtailed even during states of emergency as they hold the key to women’s participation in peacebuilding. It is important that countries underwrite the integration of women’s rights into critical documents like constitutions and transitional arrangement documents, which in itself can be transformative. 188 Wilton Park Conference 816 ‘Peace and Security: Implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325’ 30 May – 02 June 2006. Available at https://www.wiltonpark.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/wp816-report.pdf 189 AU Peace and Security Council Communique August 2019 PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCCLXVI) 190 Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women ‘General Recommendation No. 30 on Women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations’ 1 November 2013 CEDAW/C/GC/30 191 UN Commission on the Status of Women `Women’s equal participation in conflict prevention, management and conflict resolution and in post-conflict peacebuilding` Forty-eighth session 1-12 March 2004 192 Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women ‘General Recommendation No. 30 on Women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations’ 1 November 2013 CEDAW/C/GC/30 69