NATO and its partners are taking concerted action to support implemention of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, which was adopted in October 2000. UNSCR 1325 recognizes the disproportionate impact that war and conflicts have on women and children, and highlights the fact that women have been historically left out of peace processes and stabilization efforts.
Before the Second World War, 90 per cent of casualties in conflicts were combatants. Today, 90 per cent of casualities are civilians – and some 70 per cent of these are women and children. Widespread sexual and gender-based violence in conflict situations, the lack of institutional arrangements to protect women and continued under-represention of women in peace-processes remain impediments to building sustainable peace.
UNSCR 1325 calls for full and equal participation of women at all levels in issues ranging from early conflict prevention to post-conflict reconstruction, peace and security.
NATO has responded to UNSCR 1325 by adopting an Overarching Policy, developed with its partners in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) in 2007. The Policy was revised in 2011.
In addition, UNSCR 1325 is fully implemented in NATO-led operations and missions, and the Alliance has nominated Gender Advisers at Strategic Commands and in Afghanistan and Kosovo.
In August 2012, following an offer by Norway, a Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security was appointed at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
