IRAQ: Government of Iraq Launches its National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325

Baghdad, 6 February 2014 – The Government of Iraq today launched its National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2014-2018), thus becoming the first country in the Middle East and North Africa Region to launch such a program.

Applauding the tireless efforts of the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government as well as representatives of the civil society for this great achievement, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG), Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, noted that “Iraq has achieved an important milestone, particularly for the millions of Iraqi women from different walks of life who strive to have their voices heard and who actively seek to contribute to the development, peace and stability of Iraq. Today, Iraq joins 43 United Nations Member States who have endorsed a National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325”.

UN Security Council Resolution 1325 concerns women, peace and security. The resolution was adopted on 31 October 2000 and reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction, and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.

“Iraqi women comprise more than half of the population and therefore should be part of the solution to the challenges facing the nation”, the UN Envoy stressed. At the Women and Peace Conference convened in Baghdad on 17 January 2014, under the Social Peace Initiative, this message was echoed - that women are not only victims but also peace builders and represent an untapped resource in peace-building.

Today's launch of the Iraq National Action Plan on UN SCR 1325 paves the way for Iraqi women who have shown time and time again that they bring a qualitative improvement in structuring and promoting inclusive and sustainable peace. “The launching of the National Action Plan is particularly timely as all Iraqis need more than ever to unite to stop the violence and to create an environment that nurtures social cohesion, inclusiveness and respect for diversity”, Mr. Mladenov also said.

The United Nations has continued to advocate strongly for the implementation of UN SCR 1325 and will remain committed to supporting the Government of Iraq in meeting its obligations to promote women's full and active participation for a peaceful Iraq.