Serbia Localizes Resolution 1325

by Mavic Cabrera-Balleza

Pirot, Serbia, October 20, 2014 – Local and national government authorities and civil society actors in Pirot, a municipality in South Eastern Serbia gathered here since Oct 19th  for the Localization workshop to discuss Serbia’s National Action Plan (NAP) on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security . One of the main objectives of the Localization workshop is to formulate local guidelines that will lead to effective implementation of the NAP by building on other local policies (Local Action Plan for the Empowerment of Women “Pirot suited to women” and the Local Action Plan for Economic Development).

Most of the participants who represent the education, health, media, economic and security sectors in the Pirot Municipal Council have not heard about the NAP nor the Security Council Resolution 1325 before. However, after several workshop sessions on the resolution and the NAP, the local authorities were convinced that it is important for them to develop guidelines in implementing programs that address the impact of conflict on local population such as medical and psycho-social counseling services for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) as well as  x reintegration and rehabilitation programs for ex-combatants.

The national government did not involve local government authorities in the development of Serbia’s NAP on UNSCR 1325. It has not disseminated information on the NAP either. These are some of the major gaps that the Localization of UNSCR 1325 and 1820 is addressing.

Gender Advisor of the Ministry of Interior and representative of the Security Information Agency from Belgrade are also participating in the Localization workshop. The local authorities and civil society in Pirot welcome this as a positive sign of possible national-local collaboration.

Association Dea Dia, a women’s group based in Kovacica in partnership with the Municipality of Pirot and the local women’s organization Women of the South (Zena Juga) are the organizers of the Localization workshop in Pirot. The Global Network of Women Peacebuilders provides technical support and co-facilitates the workshop. The Localization workshop is financially supported by the Royal Embassy of the Netherlands in Serbia.