Heads of Missions and Agencies in Liberia to attend high-level meeting on the 20th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 on women, peace and security

The high-level meeting will be held as part of the activities organized by the Government of Liberia to celebrate the 20th anniversary of UNSCR 1325, a landmark resolution that was adopted on 31 October 2000 to affirm the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction. In 2009, Liberia became one of the first countries to implement the UN SCR 1325 by developing the first National Action Plan on 1325 for the period 2009-2013, which demonstrated the government’s interest to include women in peace-building and conflict resolution processes. 

The resolution stresses the importance of equal participation and full involvement of women in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.

“Since the adoption of the resolution 20 years ago, Liberia is making great strides in putting the tenets of the resolution into action through the development of two government-led National Action Plans on women, peace and security,” said Marie Goreth Nizigama, UN Women Liberia Country Representative.

The second National Actional Plan for the period 2019 to 2023 was endorsed by Cabinet in November 2019.

“National Action Plans are an important element to the implementation of the resolution. They assist countries to identify priorities and resources, determine responsibilities, provide guidance on the implementation of the UNSCR 1325 and commit the government to action,” said Ms. Nizigama.

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) will utilize the high-level platform to present and raise awareness on the second National Action Plan on women, peace, and security (2019-2023) to development partners. The Ministry will also explore ways to mobilize resources and encourage donors to support implementation of the National Action Plan.

Although giant strides have been made, the implementation of the first National Action Plan was curtailed by the failure to allocate sufficient resources and funds.

Other challenges that were noted from the implementation of the first National Action Plan included, lack of awareness of the National Action Plan itself and lack of consistent support from donors.

UN Women and the Embassy of Sweden are providing technical and financial support to the Government of Liberia to implement the second National Action Plan on women, peace and security.

For more information:

Gloria Ganyani

UN Women Communications Specialist

E-mail: gloria.ganyani@unwomen.org

Tel: 00 231 776866201