Norway

Norway adopted its most recent National Action Plan (NAP) in 2019 for the period 2019-2022. The NAP was developed by an Inter-Ministerial Working Group, which consisted of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs; Defense; International Development; Justice, Security, and Immigration; and Children and Equality. The NAP indicates civil society involvement in the NAP development, implementation, and monitoring process. Norway’s NAP approaches the implementation of the WPS Agenda both domestically and internationally, and outlines four main objectives towards the implementation of UNSCR 1325: peace and reconciliation processes; implementation of peace agreements; operations and missions; and humanitarian efforts. The NAP addresses conflict prevention and disarmament by mentioning the goal to support civil society initiatives and women’s organizations in conflict prevention as well as ensuring a gender perspective in humanitarian disarmament and arms control, but does not touch upon root cause analysis. Norway’s NAP promotes an integrated agenda by demonstrating the linkages between the WPS Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The NAP outlines a monitoring and evaluation framework that consists of outcomes and indicators. The NAP does not include an allocated budget, but indicates that all WPS efforts will be funded through “several budget lines and as part of larger initiatives” (p. 59).

Norway’s fourth NAP is preceded by three other NAPs, adopted in 2006, 2011, and 2015 and implemented for the period 2006-2011; 2011-2015; and 2015-2018, respectively. While all four NAPs are structurally similar, subsequent NAPs are more detailed and substantive in terms of identified activities and Norway’s approach to WPS implementation. Norway’s second NAP commits to improving the implementation of Resolution 1325 by prioritizing results and accountability. Different from the first two NAPs, Norway’s third NAP identifies priority countries (Afghanistan, Colombia, Myanmar, Palestine and South Sudan) in which to support the implementation of WPS commitments. The focus on priority countries continues in the fourth NAP as well, with the addition of Nigeria to the list as a priority country. As a divergence from all previous NAPs, Norway’s fourth NAP has a section devoted specifically to women, gender, and violent extremism, as well as a more substantive focus on implementing the WPS agenda domestically, through its focus on women asylum seekers, radicalization, and violence against women in Norway. 

Norway’s fourth NAP provides a strong emphasis on the need for structural change that enables women’s meaningful participation, including through addressing the situation of women human rights defenders and refugees. It also provides a strong emphasis on the gender perspective in security, which the government sees as looking in depth into how societal institutions, structures and systems, programmes, reforms and measures affect women’s and men’s, girls’ and boys’ power and resource situation, and their needs and priorities. Furthermore, the NAP supports civil society both as a partner and an actor for change. However, while embracing a gender-sensitive perspective overall, the NAP has a strong focus on increasing the number of women in the military, including through its Long-Term Plan for the Armed Forces (2017-2020). 

Norway reported on the implementation of its NAP, as well as WPS commitments, in its national reporting for Beijing+25 and in preparation for CSW64 (2020). Specifically, Norway addressed updates regarding strategic efforts to ensure women’s participation in peace processes; gender-sensitive implementation of peace agreements; women mediators; sexual violence in conflict; and violent extremism. 

Norway does not have a history of recent armed conflict, but is involved in overseas military operations, international peacekeeping, and humanitarian missions. Norway is a major contributor to humanitarian aid, including being a contributing donor to the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, a global partnership that works to empower women in conflict zones and humanitarian crises. Norway is also a partner of the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies, a multi-stakeholder initiative that aims to mitigate and provide accountability for gender-based violence in humanitarian emergencies. In 2019, Norway was UN Women’s fourth-largest regular resources contributor with USD 11.7 million and the third-largest total government contributor with USD 31.25 million. Norway is also a member of the Nordic Women Mediators Network, which was launched in 2015.

At the multilateral level, Norway currently serves as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the period 2021-2022. 

CEDAW

1981

Global Gender Gap Index 2020

3 out of 153

Arms Trade Treaty Ratified

2014

Military expenditure (2019)

$7 billion USD

Explore Norway's National Action Plan

  • Actors
  • Govt. Actors
  • Timeframe
  • Objectives
  • Actions/Activities
  • Indicators
  • M&E
  • Budget
  • Disarmament

NAP Development

The preparation of the Action Plan for 2019–2022 has been based on dialogue with key partners and internal consultation processes, as well as the annual reporting on the implementation of the Action Plan for 2015–2018. The plan has been drawn up in a collaboration between all the ministries that are responsible for its implementation: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the Ministry of Children and Equality. Norad has contributed input to the text and analyses, and other directorates have also been included to a greater extent than before. This shows that the foreign and domestic policy aspects of our efforts are more closely linked than previously. Both the Norwegian Police University College and the Norwegian Defence University College have made substantial contributions, and other research institutes, especially PRIO, have provided input and contributed to finalising the plan. Four meetings have been held with civil society, which has also contributed written input to the process. Our embassies in the priority countries for women, peace and security (2015–2018) have consulted their partners on particular focus areas and on what possibilities Norway has to make a difference.

Civil society were consulted in part of the public consultations in creating the NAP.

NAP Implementation

Civil society is included as an implementing partner for some specific activities in the NAP.  

The NAP lists the following ministries as responsible for its implementation: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the Ministry of Children and Equality. The Norwegian authorities cooperate with both Norwegian civil society organisations and international and local organisations, by providing financial support and through political-professional dialogue.

NAP Monitoring and Evaluation

The responsible ministries report annually on their implementation of the action plan based on the results framework.

Only Ministries are listed as parties involved in reporting on the implementations of relevant objectives. Civil society is not mentioned in the NAP’s Monitoring and reporting section.

WILPF's Contributions to Norway's NAP

WILPF Norway is part of an umbrella-organisation which organises women’s civil society, FOCUS. Part of this organisation you will find in the group Forum 1325. This group works with the UN Security Resolution 1325. (In fact, it was WILPF Norway that initiated this group back in the 2000’s.) This group is in direct connection with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and there has been a continuing communication between the Ministry and the group in working with the NAP. The group itself has met whenever we have had something to work with, and we have also given written responses to the Ministry..  

WILPF Norway, or Internasjonal Kvinneliga for Fred og Frihet (IKFF), was founded in 1915 when various Norwegian women’s organisations sent representative delegates to the first WILPF Congress in the Hague. Throughout its history, WILPF Norway has been involved in numerous anti-war protests and has been an important advocate for mediation in international conflicts and the development of peace education and peace studies. 

Today, WILPF Norway continues to be part of initiatives at the national level, in particular against the Norwegian membership of NATO and reclaiming the United Nations as the international peace organisation. The Section has also been actively campaigning against the inclusion of women in military service and taken a significant role in advocating the banning of nuclear weapons. WILPF Norway also works to raise awareness about the UNSCR 1325 and has participated in its wider implementation, pressing the Norwegian Government to further its efforts for peace mediation.

NAP Development

The preparation of the Action Plan for 2019–2022 has been based on dialogue with key partners and internal consultation processes, as well as the annual reporting on the implementation of the Action Plan for 2015–2018. The plan has been drawn up in a collaboration between all the ministries that are responsible for its implementation: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the Ministry of Children and Equality. Norad has contributed input to the text and analyses, and other directorates have also been included to a greater extent than before. This shows that the foreign and domestic policy aspects of our efforts are more closely linked than previously. Both the Norwegian Police University College and the Norwegian Defence University College have made substantial contributions, and other research institutes, especially PRIO, have provided input and contributed to finalising the plan. Four meetings have been held with civil society, which has also contributed written input to the process. Our embassies in the priority countries for women, peace and security (2015–2018) have consulted their partners on particular focus areas and on what possibilities Norway has to make a difference.

NAP Implementation

The NAP lists the following ministries as responsible for its implementation: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the Ministry of Children and Equality. The Norwegian authorities cooperate with both Norwegian civil society organisations and international and local organisations, by providing financial support and through political-professional dialogue.

NAP Monitoring and Evaluation

The responsible ministries report annually on their implementation of the action plan based on the results framework.

The implementation period for the fourth Norway’s National Plan of Action is four years (2019-2022).

The primary objectives of Norway’s are focused on:

  • peace and reconciliation processes;
  • implementation of peace agreements;
  • operations and missions;
  • humanitarian efforts.

Activities are not specifically listed in the NAP. It only lists specific outcomes under each objective.

For example, Objective 1 includes the following outcomes:

  • Peace and reconciliation processes facilitate participation by women in all phases.
  • Peace and reconciliation processes facilitate respect for both women’s and men’s rights, needs and priorities.
  • Norway helps to ensure that parties to negotiations and mediators include women.  
  • Norway helps to ensure that parties to negotiations and mediators have sufficient capacity to integrate the gender perspective.
  • Norway helps to ensure that women’s organisations have the capacity and opportunity to participate in peace and reconciliation processes.
  • Norway helps to ensure that women’s organisations have the capacity to stand up for women’s rights, needs and priorities in peace and reconciliation processes.

Each outcome has a number of listed indicators. For instance, the Outcome 1.1 includes the following indicators:

  • Percentage of women in UN mediation teams, at different levels;
  • Percentage of women in the parties’ delegations to formal peace negotiations where Norway has a formal role;
  • Percentage of formal peace and reconciliation processes in which Norway has a formal role, where inclusion mechanisms or a formalised dialogue with women in civil society /civil society organisations have been established.

Norway will endeavour to ensure that women’s participation and influence are strengthened in Norwegian contributions to peace and security through its results-oriented framework.

If steps are taken to facilitate implementation of the commitments to women, peace and security, if women participate in and have influence on peace and reconciliation processes, the implementation of peace agreements, missions and operations, and humanitarian efforts, and if women’s and men’s rights are safeguarded, needs met and priorities taken seriously in these efforts, then this will lead to more peaceful societies because both women and men play decisive roles in the peace and security context, and inclusive societies are more sustainable.

The collection of information about results for the indicators set out below will be supplemented by an evaluation during implementation of the action plan. The plan is that the evaluation will have a clearer qualitative focus, particularly on changes that are difficult to capture using quantitative indicators. Learning will be a key goal for the evaluation.

Dedicated funding is provided at the same time as endeavours are made to integrate women, peace and security in all our efforts and via several budget lines. There is no specifically allocated budget for the NAP implementation.

Despite the progressive nature of the NAP, it does not make any explicit links between gender and arms, citing only humanitarian disarmament and arms control as thematic reference and not concrete action items.  while recognising what gender perspective means, the NAP has a strong focus on the engagement of women in the military, including through its Long-term Plan for the Armed Forces (2017–2020).

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