UNSCR 1325 in the EU member states
Background information
EPLO’s Working Group on Gender, Peace and Security (GPS) monitors the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and other related commitments on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in the EU and EU Member States.
What is UNSCR 1325?
United Nation Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) was adopted in 2000, recognising the distinct experiences and contributions of women in the context of peace and security. The UNSCR 1325 calls for the full and equal participation of women and the integration of a gender perspective into all peace and security initiatives. It covers the interlinked thematic areas of participation, protection, prevention and relief and recovery.
Since then, several other Security Council Resolutions were adopted, to complement UNSCR 1325. On the UN Women dedicated webpage, you will find information on resolution: 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009), 1960 (2010), 2106 (2013), 2122 (2013) and 2242 (2015).
On the Security Council Resolution webpage, you can find additional information about the integration of WPS issues into other Security Council Resolutions.
National Action Plans
What is a National Action Plan?
United Nation Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) is wide in scope and its mandate offers little guidance as to what the exact steps that should be taken for implementation.
The implementation of UNSCR 1325 and other related Women, Peace and Security (WPS) commitments is the responsibility of each UN Member State. One of the ways in which UN member states have tried to move forward on the implementation of the UNSCR 1325 (and related commitments) is through the creation of action plans or strategies for implementation.
According to the UN Global Study (July 2015), 54 countries have adopted a national action plan (NAP) for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and related commitments on WPS.
National Action Plans in the EU
Twenty-five countries in Europe have a National Action Plan (NAP), eighteen of which are EU Member States*. Click on the implementation cycle number to download the corresponding NAP:
| EU Member Country (relevant ministry website) | NAP implementation cycle (with hyperlink to the document) | Start of the latest NAP | End of the latest NAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria (AT) | 2 | 2012 | 2015 |
| Belgium (BE) | 3 | 2017 | 2021 |
| Croatia (HR) | 1 | 2011 | 2015 |
| Czech Republic (CZ) | 1 | 2017 | 2020 |
| Denmark (DK) | 3 | 2014 | 2019 |
| Estonia (EE) | 2 | 2015 | 2019 |
| Finland (FI) | 3 | 2018 | 2021 |
| France (FR) | 3 | 2015 | 2018 |
| Germany (DE) | 2 | 2017 | 2020 |
| Ireland (IE) | 3 | 2019 | 2024 |
| Italy (IT) | 3 | 2016 | 2019 |
| Lithuania (LT) | 1 | 2011 | - |
| Luxembourg (L) | 1 | 2018 | 2023 |
| The Netherlands (NL) | 3 | 2016 | 2019 |
| Poland (PL) | 1 | 2018 | 2021 |
| Portugal (PT) | 3 (in PT) | 2019 | 2022 |
| Slovenia (SI) | 1 | 2010 | 2015 |
| Spain (ES) | 3 | 2017 | 2023 |
| Sweden (SE) | 3 | 2016 | 2020 |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 4 | 2018 | 2022 |
*Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Romania and Slovakia do not have a NAP (yet).
EPLO monitoring and advocacy activities
EPLO participates in the EU informal Task Force on UNSCR 1325, where gender focal points from EU member states gather regularly to share concerns and lessons learnt in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of their NAPs.
Events and workshops
- 8 November 2016, EPLO, together with KOFF/swisspeace, the Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) and the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) organised an expert level workshop entitled ‘Implementing UNSCR 1325: New Opportunities and Emerging Challenges‘.
- 31 October 2016, EPLO participated in an expert workshop in London organised by the London School of Economics, GAPS UK and Women for Women International. The workshop looked at discussing Sexual Violence in Conflict and the United Kingdom’s NAP.
- 10 & 11 May 2016, EPLO participated in a workshop in Dublin organised by the Centre for Trust, Peace & Social Relations, the Coventry University and UCD Dublin. The workshop focused on the recent developments and research around the implementation of NAPs in NATO member states and partners.
- 7 March 2016 – In the framework of the Dutch presidency of the EU, EPLO co-organised a workshop on the Development, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of National Action Plans on UNSCR 1325. The workshop, entitled National Action Plans: Challenges and Opportunities, was organised in co-operation with the Dutch Presidency of the EU, the EEAS, Wo=Men and Inclusive Security. You can find the summary report here.
Publications
- Between February and June 2016, EPLO collected country case-study contributions from civil society organisations, independent experts or academia involved in the NAP processes to provide an overview on the NAPs in the EU. 18 contributions were received: Austria, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Norway, Switzerland, US, Cyprus (case study on the peace process), Slovenia (case study on the migration crisis), Northern Ireland (case study on the implementation of UNSCR 1325 after the peace agreement).
- In November 2013, EPLO published an updated version of its publication on case studies of policies and practices on WPS in Europe: UNSCR 1325 in Europe: 20 case studies of implementation.
- In July 2011, EPLO published a table comparing NAPs in Europe.
- In September 2010, a CSO position paper on the Europe-wide implementation of UNSCR 1325 was published. The position paper entitled 10 Points on 10 Years UNSCR 1325 in Europe includes 10 recommendations to ensure the implementation of WPS commitments, at the EU- and EU Member State-levels. The paper was coordinated by EPLO and more than 80 civil society organisations and networks aligned themselves with the recommendations.
- In June 2010, EPLO published 21 case studies on women, peace and security (WPS) policies and practices in Europe, focusing on NAPs for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and other related WPS commitments.