Dutch Action Plan 1325

January 2008 - (WPP In Action) "Resolution 1325 (2000) holds out a promise to women across the globe that their rights will be protected and that barriers to their equal participation and full involvement in the maintenance and promotion of sustainable peace will be removed. We must uphold this promise." (UN Secretary-General's 2004 report on Women, Peace and Security)

Any agreement is only as good as its implementation. This also accounts for United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325). Though it was passed on 31 October 2000, seven years later it is still not living enough in the minds and hearts of those who ratified it. This is reflected in the lack of government policies on the resolution. Therefore, the Security Council has called upon its Member States to work on the implementation of UNSCR 1325 through the development of national action plans or other national strategies.

Until December 2007, only seven countries had produced such a plan: Austria, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. However, since December 4, one more country can be added to this list: The Netherlands. On this day, representatives from civil society organizations, knowledge institutions and the Dutch government, including four ministers, signed the Dutch National Action Plan 1325 covering the period 2008-2011.

The process towards the Dutch Action Plan started back in 2003 when the Taskforce “Women, Security and Conflict” was created. This Taskforce consisted of government officials and civil society representatives, and came up with several recommendations on national and international levels. The Taskforce existed until 2006, and inspired the process to work towards the creation of a Dutch Action Plan.

The Dutch National Action Plan, currently being translated into English and French for publication, is different from the other Action Plans in the sense that it was not drawn up by government officials alone, but is the result of a collaborative effort on the part of government and civil society representatives. By signing the Action Plan, the government, civil society and knowledge institutions commit to collective action for the implementation of UNSCR 1325.

This is essential, since all are needed for proper implementation of the resolution. Civil society organizations such as IFOR/WPP, with their widespread network of women and grassroots organizations, are in touch with organizations on the ground. Hence they can provide input from the field on the human rights abuses women face during and after conflict, and the initiatives women activists set up in the different countries. This expertise and experience can then be fed to Dutch policy makers and be translated into programs and policy guidelines. Knowledge institutions can contribute to analysis and research on women’s different roles in conflict, and their contributions to peace and security.

The 2008-2011 Dutch Action Plan focuses on five key aspects; 1) Jurisdiction, 2) Conflict Prevention, Mediation and Reconstruction, 3) International Cooperation, 4) Peace Missions and 5) Overall Coordination and Monitoring.

For instance, the plan stresses that it is important that national legacy is brought in line with international human rights treaties, and that judges and police officials are trained on women’s rights. Women activists need to be supported in their work, and recognized for their contributions to peace. Hence the Dutch government commits itself to including women in the mediation processes it facilitates. The Action Plan also emphasizes the need to reform the security sector. For instance, more police women are needed to handle cases of rape. In terms of international cooperation, the Plan commits itself to wider implementation of 1325, for example, through lobbying for the creation of a European Action Plan. In terms of peace missions, the Plan emphasizes the need to include more women in peace missions and adherence to codes of conduct as to prevent abuse of women in the country where the mission is stationed. Also, due to the persistence of organizations such as IFOR/WPP, the need for a gender perspective in civilian-based peacekeeping missions was included.

As stated before, any plan is just as good as its implementation. Good implementation will rely heavily on good co-operation between the different Dutch parties and critical reflection on the work done. Therefore, WPP and other civil society organizations in The Netherlands will be sure to actively contribute to the implementation process, while monitoring the other parties along the way.

From: http://www.ifor.org/WPP/Articles/WPP_INACTION_3.pdf?lang=1