NEPAL: Nepal Launches National Action Plan on Women Peace & Security Internationally

Nepal launches National Action Plan on Women Peace & Security internationally

Nepal launched its National Action Plan (NAP) internationally on the Implementation of the United Nation Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) 1325 and 1820, at a special side event on the margin of the 55th Commission on the Status of Women in New York on Wednesday.

This launch followed on the heels of a national launch on 17 February 2011 in Kathmandu.

The adoption of the Action Plan and its launching at national and international level demonstrates the political commitment and high priority of the Government of Nepal to issues related to women, peace and security, states a press release issued by Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations.

The event was hosted jointly by the Permanent Missions of Nepal and Norway to the United Nations, UN Women and UNFPA.

Nepal is the first country in South Asia to adopt a NAP on UNSCR 1325 and 1820, according to the release.

Globally only 25 countries out of 192 Member States have adopted such plans, while all member states are urged by the Security Council to take specific action to accelerate the implementation of the Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security through the development of National Action Plans.

The NAP was developed through an intensively collaborative and participatory process across the country in which, women and girls affected by conflict, representatives from the government, civil society, and development partners were engaged. In fact, consultations were held in 52 of 75 districts covering all five development regions, making Nepal�s NAP the most consulted NAP globally.

The NAP is built on 5 pillars namely: participation, protection and prevention, promotion, relief and recovery and resource management and monitoring and evaluation.

The NAP aims for the participation and leadership of women at all levels of decision-making, conflict transformation and peace processes including taking measures to address specific needs of women and girls in the design and implementation of all relief and recovery programs thereby creating sustainable peace and just society.