Uganda

Uganda is committed to strengthening women's participation in the promotion of peace and security within the context of conflict prevention and resolution, eradicating sexual violence and ending impunity in conflict-prone situations. As Uganda is a country that has experienced an extended period of instability, the Government has set one of its priority goals as tracking progress on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Women's participation in Uganda's political life goes beyond elective office and has been extended to other spheres, including peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts, as stipulated by resolution 1325 (2000).

In addition to the two women directly on the peace team, Uganda facilitated women's attendance at various meetings that were held during that process. In addition, during the talks a gender adviser was seconded to the Office of the Special Envoy to LRA- Affected Areas. This was the result of collaboration between UNIFEM and the United Nations Department of Political Affairs. Uganda also ensured that close reference was made to resolution 1325 (2000) in the Implementation Protocols on reconciliation and accountability; comprehensive solutions; disarmament, demobilization and reintegration; and the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement that were signed by both parties, as well as the Uganda Government's eventual peace recovery development plan for northern Uganda, which was launched in July 2009 to ensure that women equally enjoy the opportunities and benefits of the planned interventions.

Uganda's action plan focuses on the relevant legal and policy framework, improved access to health facilities and medical treatment for victims of sexual and gender-based violence, women in leadership and decision-making, the elimination of gender-based violence in society and, finally, budget allocations for the implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) and the Goma Declaration. As we do this, our experience has taught us that the full and effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and, indeed, of all other resolutions complementary to it, must begin at the earliest stages of post-conflict peacebuilding; otherwise, it will not yield optimum results.

Uganda is aware that the adoption of a resolution does not automatically translate into its implementation. This year marks the ninth since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. In those nine years, several bottlenecks have been identified, particularly in post-conflict situations, ranging from the availability of funding and political will to a lack of coordination, appropriate capacities for implementation, as well as institutional monitoring and evaluation.

In this regard, Uganda, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund, UNIFEM and the Office of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues, held its first workshop from 14 to 16 September this year to agree on what these indicators will be for Uganda's action plan. The workshop, which brought together 35 participants from Government ministries, civil society organizations and the international community, identified 16 indicators out of the total 547 that were originally earmarked for the implementation of Uganda's action plan.