Putting women at the heart of peace and security, Nepal

Nepal has become the first country in South Asia to make important steps towards endorsing the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 on women, peace and security. On 1 February, 2011 Nepal endorsed its National Action Plan (NAP) which recognises the role of women as both victims of, and participants in, violent conflict. The signing of the National Action Plan marks a crucial step towards greater gender equality in peace building in Nepal.

Adopted unanimously by the UN Security Council in October 2000, Resolution 1325 reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflict, peace-building, peacekeeping and in post-conflict reconstruction, and it calls for their equal participation in all efforts towards peace and security. Resolution 1820, adopted in 2008, demands an end to sexual violence against women and girls in conflict-affected countries.

The Nepali Government developed the NAP through a rigorous consultation process involving officials from 15 ministries, members of the constituent assembly, civil society, and women and girls affected by the conflict. During the consultation period Saferworld made recommendations based on research it had undertaken on the different priorities, needs and concerns of male and female Maoist Army combatants for rehabilitation into civilian life, or integration into the state security services.

Saferworld is pleased that several of these recommendations have been included in the Relief and Recovery pillar of the NAP; in particular the need to identify the health, education and economic needs of former combatants; to ensure that former female combatants participate in the design of relief programmes targeted at them; and to provide income–generation training and seed money as per female combatants’ needs.

The adoption of the NAP marks a significant milestone in promoting women’s participation in peace building. The challenge now is to ensure that this translates into meaningful change in the lives of women affected by conflict in Nepal.

Read ‘Common Ground? Gendered assessment of the needs and concerns of Maoist Army combatants for rehabilitation and reintegration’