NATO/EAPC Women, Peace and Security: Policy and Action Plan

Abstract: United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 was unanimously adopted on 31 October 2000 and established the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. This first resolution addressed the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls. It highlighted the importance of the ‘missing’ elements of peace and security, primarily asking ‘where are the women’? Since 2000, an additional seven resolutions related to WPS have been adopted, each widening the scope and breadth of gendered peace and security. The resolutions on WPS have been instrumental in changing the philosophy and rhetoric around conflict and gender equality, thereby challenging the international community to do more. At NATO, we have taken up the challenge of advancing this agenda. From the first NATO/EAPC Policy and Action Plan on WPS (2007) to this current iteration (2018), we have reaffirmed our commitment to the principles of WPS by putting those principles into practice. Taking into account the changing social and political landscape, the new NATO/EAPC Policy on WPS aims to translate the global WPS commitments into a NATO context. Our revised WPS principles of Integration, Inclusiveness and Integrity draw from the Alliance’s values of individual liberty, democracy, human rights and rule of law. Both the Policy and Action Plan have been widely consulted internally and externally, especially with our Civil Society Advisory Panel, who have helped us set ambitious WPS goals for NATO, Allies and partner nations. While a lot of good work has been done over the last few years, we have so much more to accomplish. However, our determination is strong, and our desire to push the agenda forward is collective. On behalf of NATO and the Women, Peace and Security team I am pleased to present this revised NATO/EAPC Policy and Action Plan. Thank you to all who worked with us to make this possible.