On October 31, 2000, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1325, calling on member states to support women’s participation in peace negotiations and post-conflict reconstruction, to take action to prevent violence against women and girls, to respect women’s rights and mainstream gender in all work around peace and security.
Two decades after the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 at the global level and seven years after Nigeria’s adoption of a National Action Plan (NAP)on UNSCR 1325, progress in the implementation of the resolution has been minimal. Women are still vastly underrepresented in decision-making, formal peace processes, Violence against Women and Girls is still rife and very few states have Action Plans to advance the women, peace and security agenda.
To help NAP on UNSCR 1325 make a difference for women’s full participation in peace processes in Nigeria, it became imperative to assess the implementation, identify gaps and proffer recommendations for effective engagement of women in peace-building.
On November 2, 2020 WANEP-Nigeria held a virtual conference in commemoration of the 20 years anniversary of UNSCR 1325 to unveil a research on the current realities on issues of women, peace and security in the country. Through its Women in Peace-building Network (WIPNET) program WANEP has continued to align with the clear focus of Nigeria’s National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 to ensure increased participation of women in decision making and peace building processes.
The national survey assessed the implementation of UNSC Resolution1325 in the country and highlighted progress and gaps in the implementation of Resolution at the national, State and local levels
In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of UNSCR 1325, WANEP- Nigeria in collaboration with Women Radio (WFM 91.7) cordially invites you as a participant to a virtual conference titled “Understanding the Current Realities on the Implementation of the UNSC Resolution 1325 in Nigeria”. The virtual conference brought to the fore the impediments to progress on executing recommendations and National, State and Local Action Plans, drawing attention to the negative consequences for women and girls as well as overall development.
Unveiling the survey outcome, lead researcher and chair of WANEP board, Prof. Patricia Donli, blamed the lack of political will by those in government and inadequate budget as major impediments to the implementation of the action plans.
while 90.1 percent of respondents blamed inadequate budgeting, 90 percent identified lack of political will.
Explaining further, Prof Donli pointed out that some states were yet to design their state and local action plans necessary for effective domestication of the resolution.
From the report, although the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act enacted at the tail end of the Goodluck Jonathan administration would be a fine tool to address violence against women and girls, only 13 state have domesticated the law and there is an obvious lack of coordination among drivers of the implementation.
The WANEP chairperson noted that GBV negates Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls) and 16 (Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development and build effective, accountable, inclusive institutions at all levels.
Implementation and awareness were identified as low, calling for recommendation that the National Action Plan, NAP should be decentralized with budget dedicated to it by relevant authorities and an elaborate promotion policy be drafted and effected.
The survey also recommended the prioritization of SDG 5 AND 16, domestication of VAPP Act and the Child Right Acts so victim can access justice.
The unveiling of the survey was monitored by participant from across the country.
