PHILIPPINES: RP, 1st Asian Nation to Adopt UN Resolution on Women in Armed Conflict

The Philippines has scored another first in Asia, this time as the first country in the continent to adopt a national action plan ensuring human rights of women in armed conflict.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Executive Order No. 865 creating a National Steering Committee on Women, Peace and Security to implement United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820.

An article on the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) website said this is in compliance with the UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 for member countries to implement a National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

Mrs. Arroyo also provided an initial funding of P5 million taken from her contingency fund for the steering committee. Succeeding funding will be from the OPAPP.

OPAPP head Annabelle Abaya led the formal launching ceremony in partnership with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and Sulong CARHRIL (Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law) in Quezon City.

Abaya cited the crucial role of women in putting an end to armed conflict because they are basically compassionate, kind and understanding.

She also said she will propose an establishment of an advisory group composed of representatives from civil society that will help monitor and evaluate reports of the NAP.

The Philippine National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security has four goals:

* Protection and Prevention, to ensure the protection and prevention of violations of women's human rights in armed conflict and post conflict situations;

* Empowerment and Participation, to empower women and ensure their active and ensure their active and meaningful participation in areas of peace building, peacekeeping, conflict prevention, conflict
resolution and post-conflict reconstruction;

* Promotion and Mainstreaming, to promote and mainstream gender perspective in all aspects of conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and peace building; and

* Capacity Development and Monitoring and Reporting, to institutionalize a monitoring and reporting system to monitor, evaluate and report to enhance accountability for the successful implementation of the NAP and achievement of its goals.