Uniting government and CSOs efforts in implementation of the UN 1325 in Western Balkans

{image1}The regional dialogue on Gender and Security was a unique event that has brought together participants from different professional and activist’s experience to discuss cooperation between Governments and CSOs in implementing and monitoring UNSCR 1325 in the region.

By facilitating a dialogue, this conference contributed to the greater understanding of the importance of the cooperation between Governments and CSOs. Only by building a trust between each other resulting in cooperation, UNSCR 1325 goals can be achieved in the region of Western Balkans. 

The nature of the conference was informal and organized through plenary discussions and workshops in order to create a platform for fruitful exchange of the ideas and thoughts between Governments and CSOs.

The main topics discussed at the conference in relation to developing, implementing and monitoring NAP 1325 were following:

1. The greatest achievements in UNSCR 1325 implementation in the Western Balkans countries;
2. The reasons for success;
3. The neglected aspects of Women, Peace and Security agenda;
4. How to ensure continued implementation of UNSCR 1325?

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{image4} The greatest achievements in the UNSCR Implementation

• Adoption of gender relevant legislation

Legal framework, such as Gender Equality Act, Antidiscrimination Act, strategies for fighting gender based violence and similar documents, was completed. However, countries are currently at different stages of gender mainstreaming in security sector and the implementation of UNSCR 1325.

• Increased political participation of women and representation of women in the security sector

The participation of women is still understood in terms of quotas and number of women that are represented in the institutions. For example, there are around 30% of women in the parliament all over the region which has been an improvement in comparison to the earlier period.

• Establishment of gender equality bodies and mechanism within security sector institutions

• CSOs and Government Cooperation

The role of CSOs in developing and implementation of UNSCR 1325 NAP is crucial since CSOs are important source of information and increase the transparency and accountability of the whole process. ’’It was CSOs who have played an important role in advancing gender equality all over the region,’’ claimed one of the participants from the Bosnia and Herzegovina during the workshops discussions.

’’CSOs are not perceived as government partners’’

CSOs are of opinion that gender equality agenda is last to be recognized as a priority among Governments.

’’CSOs need to learn how to use the power of the Government and vice verse’’

The government representatives reported their misunderstanding of CSOs language claiming that CSOs representative lack skills in communication with government. 

• Translating UNSCR 1325 into reality

Main priorities for furthering cooperation on NAP1325 agenda listed by government and CSO’s participants are:

1. Formalization of the cooperation between them and adopting protocols of communication;
2. Incorporating a gender perspective into the security documents that would go beyond the formal level;
3. The most challenging priority during the workshop discussions was political participation of women beyond quotas.