Implementing Locally, Inspiring Globally - Localizing UNSCR 1325 in Colombia, Nepal, Sierra Leone, the Philippines and Uganda - Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP)
The Localization program of GNWP, which directly engages local authorities, traditional leaders and local women in the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and 1820 in local communities, complements the efforts of governments, civil society and other national actors and ensures that the Women and Peace and Security (WPS) resolutions—and National Action Plans (NAPs)—are owned and carried out at the local level. The Localization program is a people-based, bottom-up approach to policy-making that goes beyond the local adoption of a law, as it guarantees the alignment and harmonization of local, national, regional and international policies and community-driven strategies to ensure local ownership, participation and links among communities, civil society organizations and government. The program is not designed to increase bureaucratic functions or add more work for local officials. Rather, the program allows local communities to analyze their everyday government functions and policies to see what is enhancing or hindering the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and 1820. The Localization of UNSCR 1325 and 1820 program thus creates channels for better coordination, cooperation and coherence among national and local stakeholders in the work around the WPS resolutions.
To National Government and Local Government Actors
1. Adopt the Localization program as a strategy for UNSCR 1325 and 1820 and NAP implementation, since it has proven effective in furthering the implementation of the WPS resolutions and has had a positive impact on the lives of women and girls;
2. Participate in Localization workshops, Training of Trainers workshops as well as in the drafting and validation of UNSCR 1325 and 1820 /NAP Localization guidelines;
3. Provide funding or counterpart funding for the implementation of the Localization workshops, Training of Trainers workshops and the development of Localization guidelines through WPS budgeting at national and subnational levels; and
4. Endorse, launch and roll out UNSCR 1325 and 1820/NAP Localization guidelines for the implementation of UNSCR 1325/NAP at subnational levels.
To Civil Society Organizations
1. Advocate to adopt the Localization program as a strategy for UNSCR 1325 and 1820 and NAP implementation at subnational levels;
2. Build alliances among different civil society organizations to jointly and more effectively raise resources to implement the Localization program;
3. Strengthen collaboration, coordination, communication and consultation with other CSOs, government ministries/agencies and national and local level agencies as well as UN entities to jointly implement theLocalization program; and
4. Continue to be proactive in taking the UNSCR 1325 and 1820 and the NAP to grassroot levels through the Localization program.
To the Donor Community and UN Agencies
1. Support the Localization program that aims to increase UNSCR 1325 and 1820 and NAP implementation at local levels and creates positive impact on the lives of women and girls;
2. Support the development of more information, education and communication materials on UNSCR 1325, 1820 and the supporting resolutions, particularly those targeted to local audiences, which can be used during the Localization workshops; and
3. Establish transparent and flexible funding mechanisms for WPS initiatives, particularly those implemented in conflict-affected communities. Such mechanisms should recognize the limited capacities of community- based women’s groups and CSOs in preparing grant proposals and reports. Therefore, simple and efficient application and reporting processes need to be established.
COLOMBIA - Lacking a National Action Plan (NAP), participants in Localization Workshops in 2012 drafted Departmental, Municipal Action Plans on UNSCR 1325 and 1820 in 16 municipalities and departments and a Sectoral Action Plan for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual Community. Participants are now conducting their own advocacy campaigns and workshops to hold the offices of mayors and public attorneys accountable for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and 1820 at the local level. The Localization Program has become an alternative mechanism for implementation of the resolutions.
LIBERIA - The Localization Program in Liberia produced Local Action Plans in seven districts and initiated a planning process to train county superintendents to become champions of the National and Local Action Plans implementation.
NEPAL- The Localization program led to the integration of UNSCR 1325 and 1820 in school curricula and the inclusion of UNSCR 1325 and 1820 in police and army training. In addition, the Ministries of Peace and Reconstruction and Federal Affairs and Local Development and Nepali CSOs developed NAP Localization Guidelines that serve as a manual to assist local peace committees, Village and District Development Committees in integrating the NAP on 1325 and 1820 in their development plans.
SIERRA LEONE - The implementation of Sierra Leone’s 1325 and 1820 NAP (SiLNAP) through the local development plans in communities is now part of the performance evaluation of local district officials. So part of the evaluation of the job performance of mayors, local councilors and other local officials includes their work on contributing to SiLNAP’s implementation. Moreover, the Localization program in Sierra Leone has also led to the establishment of Local Steering Committees on SiLNAP. These committees team with the National Steering Committee, composed of government and civil society and led by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, in coordinating the implementation of SiLNAP nationwide. The training for customary law officers on UNSCR 1325 and 1820 is also an important achievement of the Localization program. Localization of SiLNAP Guidelines were developed by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, with inputs from the Localization workshop participants, including civil society.
UGANDA - Local authorities in Dokolo, Bushenyi and Lira Districts and CSOs developed Local Action Plans on UNSCR 1325 and 1820, which focus on sexual and gender-based violence. The local action plans are translations of the NAP 1325 in these conflict-affected districts.
