At the end of May, Operation 1325 arranged in cooperation with the NGO Kvinna till Kvinna, the consultant agnecy InDevelop and the Canadian Embassy a seminar called “Implementing United Nat
At the end of May, Operation 1325 arranged in cooperation with the NGO Kvinna till Kvinna, the consultant agnecy InDevelop and the Canadian Embassy a seminar called “Implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 – challenges and outlook”. At the seminar, five participants from Sida’s International Training Program discussed challenges with implementing resolution 1325 in their own specific contexts and elaborated on the possibilities for the resolution in the future.
Engagement in the 1325 issue
At the beginning of the seminar, embassy advisor Patrick Hébert presented Canada’s approach and engagement within the 1325 field. Among other things, he lifted that Canada prioritises 1325 mainly through the scope of equal participation in peace and security processes, and that the exclusion of women in these processes can be considered nothing less than a serious crime against democracy and freedom. The country has adopted a National Action Plan on the implementation of resolution 1325 since 2010 and collaborates with other countries and international actors to realise the resolution fully.
Opinions from five countries
At the seminar, representatives from South Sudan, Georgia, DR Congo, Colombia and Liberia participated. They expressed that working towards increasing women’s participation within powerful political and peace-related positions is difficult. They however see that the tendencies are slowly turning for the better, and that attitudes are changing bit by bit. Yvette Chesson from Liberia shared that her organisation actively work with empowering women and youth, but also strengthening them to take part in making society more equal. The cooperation between these groups have turned out to be successful, and the concept is soon to be spread to neighboring countries. Alvaro Gonzalez Fortich from the Colombian government recounted that there is still a large difference between the opportunities of men and women to participate in society and find a job. However, the Colombian government is according to Fortich developing new techniques and methods to secure that women are given equal opportunities, both within society and in peace processes.
Answering the question of what kind of support from international actors is the most important regarding 1325-related work, Ici Geoffrey from South Sudan answered: “Knowledge and how to do is more important than finacial support. We need capacity building for our government and civil society organisations on how to work with resolution 1325 and national action plans“.
Critique against Canada and Sweden
Annie Matundu Mbambi from DR Congo agreed that the tendencies for further implementations of resolution 1325 are looking up. However, she criticised Canada and Sweden, as well as other developed countries, because of the lack of visibility and change their work regarding 1325 achieve. She elaborates that the people in the field that are supposed to be educated and take part in changing society are not being affected the way they should be. “Canada works with National action plans and peacekeeping. But DRC needs to see more action. Women in the field can’t see the impact“. Mbambi further argues that it is good that Canada, Sweden and other developed countries have adopted National Action Plans. She however professes that the main goal must be to enforce a will in countries affected by conflict topass a National Action Plan, as they need it more than other countries do. “If Canada can lead with starting action plans in conflict countries, it would be better“.
Julle Bergenholtz
