The Nairobi Symposium will convene more than 75 experts from government, international organizations, and civil society to advance the impact of National Action Plans for UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and similar gender policies in Africa. During interactive sessions participants will share experiences and strengthen skills to identify solutions to the challenges of monitoring, evaluating, and financing gender policies and National Action Plans aimed at realizing the promise of UNSCR 1325.
Participants will gain increased awareness of key gaps in NAP implementation and useful tools to address them. At the conclusion of the Symposium, these NAP leaders will be equipped to:
- facilitate inclusive NAP design and implementation;
- develop effective NAP monitoring and evaluation plans;
- ensure sufficient funds are allocated for implementation; and
- describe the positive impacts of NAPs.
Why Now?
On October 31, 2000, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1325, affirming that women are not just victims of war, they are agents of peace. The Resolution urges actors to increase participation of women and incorporate gender perspectives across national peace and security strategies.
After the Resolution’s adoption, the Security Council called upon Member States to advance UNSCR 1325 implementation through National Action Plans (NAPs) or other national-level strategies. Now, 14 years later, only 43 of 193 UN Member States have adopted NAPs—far too few. Worse still, few of these plans demonstrate impact that will convince additional Member States to invest resources in developing a NAP. With 12 African countries implementing NAPs and more being developed, the continent has a substantial body of NAP experience. African countries have also led the way in post-conflict NAP development and implementation.
