From global policies to local action
GNWP bridges the gap between global policies on women’s rights and peace and security and local action. We take a full-cycle implementation approach, meaning we work with stakeholders at all levels and stages to build more equal, resilient and peaceful communities.
To date, GNWP works with civil society groups and governments in Armenia, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Moldova, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, Serbia, Sierra Leone, South Korea, South Sudan, Uganda, Ukraine and Yemen to support development, implementation, and monitoring of WPS resolutions.
© 2018, UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngucke, at the launch of GNWP's Localization Toolkit
Where the change happens: Localization of women and peace and security
Real change happens when women's voices are heard and considered by local community leaders. This is why GNWP designed and pioneered its Localization of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) strategy. Localization of WPS is currently implemented in over 20 countries and has led to tangible results – from the inclusion of women in traditional conflict resolution councils to improving response to sexual and gender-based violence.
How does Localization of WPS work?
Every local community is different. Each community has particular needs, and its own laws and ways of governance. International laws, and laws and policies that are adopted at the national level provide a useful framework, but often do not adequately reflect the range of local needs. International laws may need to be evaluated and modified to ensure that they are owned by the local communities and effectively address their needs.
A need for localization is also true of WPS resolutions and NAPs (National Action Plans). To ensure implementation at the local level, GNWP brings together important actors from local communities – governors, local council members, traditional and religious leaders, teachers, police and military officers, as well as women and young people, including those from historically marginalized groups. Together, they evaluate the needs of their community, the threats that women face in their local context, and the necessary actions that are needed to address these needs. They learn about WPS resolutions and other related laws and policies that exist at international and national levels, analyze them and discuss the ways in which they apply to their local context. This is what we call Localization of Women and Peace and Security. It translates global policies into practical actions, designed and led by the local people.
Full Cycle Implementation of Women, Peace, and Security
Policy Advocacy
We advocate for the implementation of international laws and policies that advance women’s rights and build more peaceful and secure communities. These include the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, subsequent Security Council resolutions, and the UN Convention on the Elimination All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
NAP Development
GNWP helps women’s organizations gain the skills needed to participate in developing plans with their respective governments. These plans outline the specific steps that need to be taken to make their countries more equal, resilient and peaceful. We work closely with all stakeholders, including governments and the United Nations, to help them draft effective plans.
Costing & Budgeting
We help governments and nonprofits to identify funding sources to implement their national and local action plans. Globally less than 1 percent of funding goes to women’s organizations who are working to build more peaceful and resilient communities.
Implementation through Localization
We ensure that laws and policies aren’t just empty words, but actually advance equality and peace in communities. Peace is a collaborative process, which is why we work closely with the United Nations to help convene local and national actors from government to indigenous leaders. We help everyone understand how sustainable and inclusive peace can be realized. We also help women and youth-led organizations strengthen their ability to operate and hold their governments accountable.
Media & Awareness Raising
GNWP helps advocate for the rights of women and girls during the development and implementation of national and local action plans. We raise the profile of our members and their incredible work among the media, United Nations, academic institutions, governments and other stakeholders. We also help educate journalists on what UNSCR 1325 is and why it’s important to advance human rights and peace. This enables journalists to report about the status of implementation of the resolution and help hold governments accountable to their obligations.
Monitoring & Evaluations
GNWP trains nonprofit organizations and governments to monitor the implementation of national and local action plans and related laws and policies such as CEDAW. We developed the UNSCR 1325 Scorecard, a visual monitoring tool to track the implementation of action plans and other national women, peace and security mechanisms.