Full-Cycle Implementation of Women, Peace and Security
Implementation through Localization
At GNWP, we believe that real change happens at the local level – and this is where sustainable and inclusive peacebuilding has to start! This is why we created and pioneered our Localization of UNSCR 1325 methodology – which, to date, was implemented by us in over 20 countries, and replicated by others in many more!
GNWP’s Localization strategy is an innovative, bottom-up approach to the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and its supporting resolutions, pioneered by GNWP, and cited by the UN Secretary-General in his reports to the Security Council as a best practice for 9 years in a row. It convenes governors, mayors, councillors, community leaders, paramount chiefs, indigenous and traditional leaders, religious leaders, women leaders, youth leaders, teachers, the security sector and all other key local actors, to jointly analyze the peace and security situation in their local area. Based on this analysis, the local leaders and authorities work together with local women and other marginalized groups to identify concrete actions needed to build gender-equal and sustainable peace in their community, and formulate local action plans (LAPs), local legislation, or add provisions to their existing community development plans to make sure these actions are accomplished. The formulation of local policies and legislation by local actors strengthens ownership, ensures institutionalization of WPS commitments, enhances accountability, and leads to more effective and sustainable implementation. In other words, it helps ensure that local governance is gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive, and that the WPS resolutions are translated into concrete actions.
At the same time, because Localization of UNSCR 1325 is a bottom-up and people-based strategy, it ensures that the implementation of WPS is context-specific and addresses the real needs of women on the ground. This leads to tangible results.
In Colombia and the Philippines, GNWP has applied its Localization strategy to ensure the implementation of the peace agreements learn more here.
Localization put to action! Testimonies from Georgia, Uganda & the Philippines
Georgian bus lines: Getting women to work, and in decision-making spaces
10 years after the end of the 2008 war with Russia, 200,000 Georgians, most of them women, are still unable to return to their homes. This displacement continues to hinder the economic recovery of the country,with a disproportionate impact on the lives of women.
In the village of Ganmukhuri, local women voiced concern that they were unable to get jobs, because there was no public bus that could take them to the bigger town of Zugdidi. This also meant they couldn’t join important meetings that took place in Zugdidi, and therefore were unable to contribute to meaningful discussion and decision-making about their region and the needs of the community.
The women shared this concern with local council members and representatives of the Prime Minister’s office during a WPS Localization process. In response to these discussions the authorities decided to establish a bus line between Ganmukhuri and Zugdidi. Future plans involve adding more public bus lines to help more women access jobs and decision-making.
Photo: UN Women Uganda
From localization to better policing and sexual violence response!
In Uganda, during Localization, women shared the constraints they face in reporting gender-based violence with the police officers who attended the workshop. After the workshop, the police officers worked with the local women to establish a gender-based violence desk and liaison in the police stations. This bridged the gap between the police and community and increased the confidence to report cases of gender-based violence. As a result, the number of reported cases increased 6 times – from 435 in 2014, to more than 2,500 each year since Localization took place.
Women are the peacemakers!
In some parts of the Northern Philippines – a region that has been ravaged by tribal conflicts for decades – conflicts, domestic disputes and other issues are handled by traditional elder councils. In the province of Kalinga, such an elder council is called Bodong.
For centuries, only men were part of the Bodong council. As a result, women did not feel comfortable voicing their problems to the local council, including during cases of domestic violence.
Following Localization workshops, during which traditional elders came together with local women, 5 women were appointed to the Bodong council.
This made a significant difference. Women immediately suggested including trauma healing and reconciliation in the activities of the Bodong. They also took action within their communities to spread messages of peace, and make it clear that violence against women is unacceptable.
From Global to Local: Countries where GNWP’s Localization strategy has been implemented
GNWP has implemented Localization in over 20 countries including, Armenia, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Colombia, DRC, Georgia, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Moldova, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, Serbia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ukraine.
GNWP’s Localization of Women, Peace and Security…
is a key strategy for effective WPS implementation – recognized by the UN Secretary-General!
promotes better understanding and coordination between local women and local authorities and traditional and religious leaders, as they analyze their context and security needs together.
translates global commitments and national laws into concrete actions at the local level.
provides opportunities for local women and other marginalized groups to contribute to drafting local plans, strategies and policies that impact their lives.
supports gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive local governance.
Sharing lessons learned: Localization Toolkit
In 2018, the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, funded by UN Women, published a toolkit on the best practices for Localization of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women Peace and Security.