Participation
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Participation Women, Peace and Security Emergency aid National Action Plan to implement Reconstruction UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) Dealing with the past Protection Prevention Content I. Background 4 II. Overview of the recommendations from the second implementation phase (2010–2012) 8 III. Measures (2013–2016) 9 IV. Monitoring of implementation measures 22 V. Further development of NAP 1325 23 VI. Resources 23 VII. Examples of implementation 24 VIII. Glossary 27 3 I. Background “While noting the diversity of conflicts and the complexity of bringing hostilities arching principle of NAP 1325. An example of this to an end, the Committee emphasizes that is Switzerland’s commitment for a greater participa- the transitional period and the multiple tion of women in political processes demonstrated peace-building activities in the post-conflict in, for instance, its support for cooperation between context provide strategic opportunities selected civil society and governments. Further ex- for transformation in all areas of women’s amples of the revision’s focus are the commitment lives.“1 CEDAW Committee (2011) to combating gender-based violence, for instance through the promotion of dialogue with armed non- state actors, and multilateral efforts to safeguard Women and men are affected by armed conflicts the sexual and reproductive rights of women and in different ways, and creating a stable and secure girls who are victims of sexual violence. In this, Swiss environment requires the equal participation of all policy is directed by the recognition that strengthen- members of society. The UN Security Council has ing the rights of women is an essential contribution explicitly recognised this reality since the year 2000. to preventing gender-based violence. The measures In the past 13 years it has passed seven resolutions contained in the revised NAP 1325 also incorporate entitled1“Women, Peace and Security” outlining Switzerland’s priorities at the 57th session of the the relevant commitments of the UN and the mem- Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) devot- ber states and appealing to all parties involved in ed to the issue of violence against women and girls.6 armed conflicts.2 Resolution 1325 (2000) is the first UN Security Council resolution to expressly mention The UN Security Council resolutions on Women, the particular effect that armed conflicts have on Peace and Security – and therefore the Swiss NAP women and girls and it underlines the importance 1325 – refer to the basic principles of the 1979 of women’s participation in peace processes. The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Security Council also called for greater recognition Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).7 CEDAW of the experiences, rights and needs of women, for states that the barriers that limit the potential of support for their participation, and for the integra- women to exercise their political, social, economic tion of a gender perspective in the shaping of peace and cultural rights should be dismantled. With refer- and security policy.3 ence to the participation of women in peacebuild- ing, the Swiss NAP 1325 is closely linked to the FDFA To encourage implementation of the binding resolu- equality policy. tions in Switzerland and to adequately reflect new developments on the national and international lev- Through the revised National Action Plan on Wom- els, the Federal Council in 2013 set itself the goal en, Peace and Security (2013–2016) Switzerland fur- of revising the National Action Plan to implement ther intends: the resolution on Women, Peace and Security (NAP 1325).4 In 2007 Switzerland was one of the first › to include the latest developments at the countries to adopt a national action plan (for the international level, in particular the political period 2007–2009) and it has continued to refine framework regarding women, peace and secu- the measures contained in it.5 rity, which is a global measure of the implemen- tation of UN Security Council resolution 1325; 8 Priorities of the revision A focus of the revised NAP 1325 (2013–2016) is the › to show the interconnections with other increased participation of women and girls during Swiss strategies and measures that contribute and after armed conflicts. The participation of wom- to the implementation of the goals of the UN en should be understood as the fundamental over- resolutions on Women, Peace and Security; 1 CEDAW Concept Note (2011), General Discussion on the protec- tion of women’s human rights in conflict and post-conflict contexts. 2 UNSCR 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009), 1960 (2010), 2106 (2013), 2122 (2013). 6 CSW Agreed Conclusions (2013), E/2013/27-E/ 3 On the gender perspective see in particular OP 8 UNSCR CN.6/2013/11. 1889 (2009); OP 5, 7, 8 UNSCR 1325 (2000). 7 See also CEDAW General Recommandation No. 30 on 4 Goal 12, Federal Council decree of 31 October 2012. women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situa- 5 For instance, Switzerland was one of the first countries tions, CEDAW/C/GC/30. to introduce indicators to better measure results, cf. NAP 1325 8 Report of the Secretary-General, ”Women and Peace and (2010–2012). Security”, 28 September 2010, S/2010/498. 4 › to strengthen the coordination and co- Measures to protect civilians in situations herence of the activities of different actors, of armed conflict (PoC strategy): with the aim of increasing the effectiveness of the programmes and projects. Through its PoC strategy10 Switzerland is commit- ted to contributing to greater compliance with the Overall significance of NAP 1325 normative framework. Switzerland supports actions The Women, Peace and Security concept is cross- in favour of persons to be protected, and supports cutting in nature and should influence all of Switzer- the activities of international peacekeeping mis- land’s peace policy strategies and activities. There- sions. The PoC strategy takes into account the spe- fore NAP 1325 is intended to unite all the federal cific situation of women and girls in armed conflicts. strategies. The 2010–2012 monitoring process re- At the same time the capacity to protect oneself vealed that the resolutions on Women, Peace and (“agency”), specifically of women, must be heeded Security are in many respects already incorporated in and supported. Swiss policy. In respect to the strategies mentioned and through interaction with the international com- Accordingly the PoC strategy contributes to realising munity Switzerland is acquiring a distinct profile. the goals of NAP 1325: The following are examples of this interaction: › First, the commitment to contribute to greater compliance with international legal standards Remaining committed in fragile and con- contributes to the protection of women and flict-affected situations (fragility agenda) girls and to the prevention of gender-specific violence. In view of the close connections between peace, security and development, Switzerland is currently › Second, protection against gender-specific strengthening its integrated approach to fragile and violence is increased by the improved operations conflict-affected states so it can continue its involve- of humanitarian aid, e.g. through better organi- ment even in difficult situations.9 In the more than sation of camps for displaced persons and the 40 fragile states, population groups that are weak aid distribution system, so that women need not and face discrimination are doubly disadvantaged by leave the camp to provide for their own needs the additional consequences of violence and in par- and those of their families where doing so would ticular by the weak, often partial efforts of the state. place them at particular risk. In key aspects then the fragility issue overlaps with the central elements of Resolution 1325. The impor- › Third, Switzerland endeavours to ensure that tant international policy declaration, the “New Deal peacekeeping missions make an even greater for Engagement in Fragile States”, concluded by contribution towards protecting civilians of around 20 of the most affected “fragile” states and whom women constitute the greater part. The some 20 of the biggest donor countries and institu- deployment of women protection advisors is tions at the end of 2011, calls for international co- one possible measure here (see logframe). operation to focus on lasting support in statebuild- ing and peacebuilding. The five “Peace Building and Dealing with the past11: State Building Goals (PSG) which were agreed are: legitimate politics, security, justice, economic foun- The concept of Dealing with the past stems from the dations, revenues and services. The gender aspect is Principles against Impunity developed by Louis Joi- relevant to this “New Deal”, which states: “We also net and approved by the UN Commission on Human recognize that constructive state-society relations, Rights in 1997. These principles recognise the rights and the empowerment of women, youth and mar- of victims and the duties of states in combating im- ginalized groups, as key actors for peace, are at the punity in cases of grave violations of human rights heart of successful peacebuilding and statebuilding. and international humanitarian law. The Principles They are essential to deliver the New Deal. (…) We against Impunity call for combined initiatives to en- will increase our support for credible and inclusive sure the realisation of these rights and obligations in processes of political dialogue. We will invest in the following areas: the