GNWP Returns to Colombia to Reinforce its Localization Program on UNSCR 1325 and 1820
By Lauren von Eckartsberg, GNWP
Bogotá, Colombia February 2, 2016 – With the inclusion of no amnesty for sexual violence recently included in the Special Jurisdiction for Peace agreement reached by the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on September 23, 2015, the highly anticipated peace agreement to be signed, and the passing of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2261 creating a UN observer mission to verify the disarmament and ceasefire, The Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) is very excited to return to Colombia in a time of great momentum and action towards peace and justice. It is in this progressive atmosphere that GNWP travels to Colombia to continue the work it began in 2012 on its Localization Program in partnership with Red Nacional de Mujeres, Coalición de Investigación y Acción Social y Económica (CIASE) and its members in Coalición 1325. The events and workshops will take place in Bogotá from February 3 – 5, 2016.
The workshops begin with a high-level event on February 3 with distinguished guests from foreign embassies, government institutions, women’s organizations and other civil society groups, local municipalities and cities, indigenous communities, UN entities and international aid organizations. At this event, GNWP and its partners will present the highlights of their work in localizing the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1325, 1820 and the supporting resolutions on women and peace and security. They will also convey to international, national, and local policy makers and leaders the ways in which a National Action Plan (NAP) on UNSCR 1325 and 1820 in Colombia can be used as a successful means of implementation to ensure women’s rights are met and protected following the anticipated peace agreement.
The subsequent workshops on February 4 and 5 will further examine the Localization strategy and determine concrete measures to ensure Local Action Plans (LAPs) and Women’s Agendas have a designated space in Local Development Plans ensuring the prevention of violence against women and girls, and their participation in the implementation of the peace agreement.
GNWP’s Localization of UNSCR 1325 and 1820 program is a people-based bottom-up approach to policymaking and implementation that emphasizes local ownership and participation. Engaging local populations and making space for local actors to take part in developing policies creates more active contribution that helps to shape relevant outcomes.
The implementation of the Localization program in Colombia was made possible by support from the Folke Bernadotte Academy of Sweden.