Kenya Adopts and Localizes National Action Plan on Resolution 1325

June 6, 2016 by Mavic Cabera-Balleza and Lori Perkovich

Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya’s National Action Plan on the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the supporting resolutions on Women, Peace and Security (KNAP) was launched March 8, 2016 on International Women’s Day. It is a comprehensive approach to implementing UNSCR 1325 that aims to mainstream the resolutions into national conflict resolution, conflict prevention, peace promotion, and peacebuilding strategies and relevant gender policies. The KNAP also recognizes the important role of civil society in its implementation.

Internationally, Kenya is not regarded as a country in conflict. However, violent conflicts have been going on in many rural communities for many decades. The violence is due to ethnic conflicts, unequal distribution of resources and power struggle among political parties.

Behind the scenes the Kenya 1325 Localization Advocacy Group, comprised of Kenyan civil society groups including Amani Communities Africa, Footprints for Change, PeaceNet – Kenya, and Rural Women Peace Link (RWPL) among others, with support from GNWP, advocated for the formal adoption of NAP to take place in early 2016.

Building on the momentum of the recent adoption of KNAP, GNWP and the Kenya 1325 Localization Advocacy Group are running a series of workshops in Nairobi; as well as in Bungoma and Isiolo counties from June 3 – 10, 2016. National government and county officials, leaders of women’s groups, youth leaders and media practitioners will participate in these workshops. The Coalition for Action on 1325 (CoACT) in Uganda will also take part in the workshops to share their experiences and lessons learned in the Localization of Uganda’s National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325.

The KNAP Steering Committee as represented by the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government is also taking part and providing technical support to the series of national and localization of KNAP workshops.

The Localization of KNAP is made possible with support from the Austrian Development Cooperation.