Programme

16-17 February 2015

Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam

concept paper
International expert conference

Women: Powerful Agents for Peace and Security

16-17 February 2015, Amsterdam
Summary
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands is hosting a two day conference on women, peace and
security (16-17 February 2015) with particular attention to enhancing participation and leadership
of women in (post) conflict peacebuilding. 2015 promises to be an important year for the international
women, peace and security agenda with the upcoming UN High Level Review of UNSC resolution 1325,
the Global Peacebuilding Review, the post 2015 development agenda and the UN peace operations panel
taking place. Based on national policy on 1325 such as the National Action Plan on 1325, the Netherlands
is proud to provide a platform that will bring together representatives from civil society, governments,
international organizations and academia to exchange knowledge and develop national as well as global
recommendations on enhancing participation and leadership of women in security and (post) conflict
peacebuilding and feed into these international policy developments.
This conference takes place in parallel to a Regional European Conference in support of UN Peace
Operations, held at the same venue. That conference aims to feed into the UN Peacekeeping Review. Both
conferences intersect on the topic of gender perspectives in peacebuilding and peacekeeping operations
and this will enable synergies to be established. Participants will be able to attend plenary sessions of the
Regional European Conference.

Context
The 15th anniversary of the Security Council resolution 1325 on women and peace and security, adopted
on 31 October 2000, as well as the adoption of Security Council resolution 2122 in 18 October 2013,
provide the main context for the conference. Resolution 1325 reaffirms the important role of women
in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping,
humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction and stresses the importance of womens
equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and
security. It is rooted in the premise that womens inclusion their presence and participation in the
process, their perspectives, and their contributions to the substance of talks will improve the chances
of attaining viable and sustainable peace. UNSCR 1325s attention to the protection of womens physical
wellbeing and legal and political rights recognizes that if half the population is experiencing violence or
discrimination, prospects for peace and justice are limited for all, and acts of violence, including sexual
and gender-based violence, are provocations that can threaten peace and security more widely.

The Netherlands developed its first National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of UNSCR 1325
for the period 2008-2011. The Dutch National Action Plan 1325 is unique and innovative because
civil society and government developed and implemented the plan together, a cooperation that led to
a powerful instrument for effective action. Following this positive experience, a new National Action
Plan 1325 was developed for the period 2012-2015, where the common goals were strengthened.
The current National Action Plan is signed by more than 50 organisations, including four ministries,
knowledge institutions and civil society organisations. It has a clear thematic focus on enhancing
participation and leadership of women in (post) conflict and transition situations, and a geographic focus
on Afghanistan, Burundi, Colombia, the DRC, South Sudan, Sudan, and countries in the Middle East and
North Africa (MENA) region. The MFA introduced an annual budget of 4 million Euro to implement the
National Action Plan.

Objectives of the Conference

The objective of the conference is as follows:
1) To provide substantial input for the UN High-Level review and the NL National Action Plan on the
implementation of resolution 1325, particularly on the subject of participation and leadership of
women in (post) conflict peacebuilding. This is one of the pillars of UNSCR 1325, and is the focus of the
Dutch 1325 policy.
2) To share Dutch experiences and lessons learned on implementing 1325 with an international audience
and to collect inputs for the next Dutch Action Plan, due to start in 2016.

- Participation of women in post-conflict processes such as state-building and peacebuilding:

Are we applying the right assumptions and addressing the underlying structural barriers to
strengthening the role of women in (political) peace-building processes (formal and informal)
and to equalizing power relations?

How can we link women in different contexts (local, national, international) to support them
as change agents in institution building and reform, transitional justice, conflict-resolution/
prevention, in a post-conflict setting?

How can the women, peace and security agenda be merged with a national peace and security
agenda, instead of being a separate womens-only pillar?

How to create an enabling environment for womens (political) participation in countries in transition?
- Masculinities and the role of men in implementing the women, peace and security agenda:

How can men further be mobilized and activated for the women, peace and security agenda?
How can we create support and collaboration by using and understanding gender relations?

Understanding gender roles and engaging men in prevention of conflict and addressing root
causes of conflict.

In addition, the conference provides a platform for the exchange of experiences, knowhow and
networking among participants. A central element throughout the conference will be the perspectives
and experiences of women from (post) conflict countries. The conference is expected to generate interest
among key stakeholders involved in the 1325 High Level Review and as well as among media and NGO
representatives.

An additional plenary discussion will focus on:

- The Dutch National Action Plan evaluated as a tool of foreign policy:

The Dutch National Action Plan 1325 model is unique because of the cooperation between
the government and NGOs. What is its practical impact in (post)conflict countries, how do
local partners view our approach, and how does our National Action Plan compare to National
Action Plans of other donors?

Evaluation of the Dutch National Action Plan 1325 by the inspection development
cooperation and policy evaluation. What is important to incorporate in the next Dutch
National Action Plan 1325?

Structure and content

Participants

In cooperation with the Dutch Knowledge Platform Security and Rule of Law, ODI, and other partners,
policy papers have been drafted to ensure a common starting point for the discussions within the
thematic groups at the conference.
In parallel expert sessions the participants will discuss three themes, based on their expertise and experiences:
- The security sector, women and peacebuilding:

Reframing gender as a business issue as opposed to a feminine issue in the mentality of the
military men and women.

Strengthening the voice and role of women networks to improve local security.

Aiming for transformative change: How security sector reform (SSR) can be a vehicle for
change in the UNSCR 1325 National Action Plans

Participation and leadership of women in (post) conflict and transitional situations cannot be addressed
by governments alone. The conference therefore calls for a multi-disciplinary approach. Thus, participants
will include representatives from: partners and grassroots organizations from Dutch National Action Plan
1325 focus countries, international policy makers and experts, all Dutch National Action Plan signatories,
public and media, UN organizations, such as UN Women, Department of Peacekeeping Operations,
academics and knowledge institutes like the Knowledge Platform Security and Rule of Law; etc.

Outcomes
An outcome paper, which will:
1) Sum up lessons learned and future recommendations following the expert sessions.
2) Provide findings and recommendations as input for the UN High Level Review on 1325 and the next
Dutch National Action Plan on 1325.

ProgrammE

ProgrammE

#nap1325

15 February 2015
TIME

EVENT

LOCATION

TIME

EVENT

LOCATION

19.00-21.00

Welcome dinner
Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands

Restaurant Hemelse
Modder

09.30-11.00

Meaningful women leadership and participation in

peace and security: Are we doing the right thing?

Administratiezaal

16 February 2015
TIME

EVENT

08.30-09.00

Registration of participants

LOCATION

Plenary
09.00-09.30

Welcome remarks
Lilianne Ploumen, Minister for Foreign Trade and
Development Cooperation (videomessage)
Rene Jones-Bos, Secretary General of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs
Elisabeth van der Steenhoven, Director WO=MEN Dutch
Gender Platform
Radhika Coomaraswamy, Lead Author for the Global
Study (videomessage)

Effectenbeurszaal

Theme 1:
The security
sector,
women and
peacebuilding

Strengthening the voice and role of women networks

to improve local security
Moderator: Simone Filippini, Chief Executive Director, Cordaid
Speakers
Hasina Safi, Executive Director, Afghans Womens
Network (AWN)
Surood Al-Naqshabandi, Manager of Kirkuk Office,
Iraqi Al-Amal Association
Sima Samar, Chairperson, Afghanistan Independent
Human Rights Commission
Shukria Dini, Executive Director, Somali Womens Study Centre
Marouane Bakit, Director, Makers of Hope, Libya
Aref Dostyar, Board of Directors, Afghans for Progressive
Thinking
Emile Kasololo, Lawyer, ADDROSMIL, DRC
Organized by: PAX and Cordaid

Moderator: Mavic Cabrera-Balleza, International Coordinator,

Global Network of Women Peacebuilders
Speakers
Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini, Co-Founder and Executive
Director, International Civil Society Action Network
(ICAN)
Emma-Marie Bugingo, Executive Secretary,
Pro-Femmes Rwanda
Ruth Oijambo-Ochieng, Executive Director, Isis-Womens
International Cross Cultural Exchange (Isis-WICCE),
Uganda
Rita Abraham, Executive Director, EVE Organization for
Women Development, South Sudan
Organized by: ICCO and CARE

09.30-11.00

Parallel sessions
09.30-11.00

Theme 2:
Participation
of women in
post-conflict
processes
such as statebuilding and
peacebuilding

Effectenbeurszaal

Theme 3:
Masculinities
and the role
of men in
implementing
the women,
peace and
security
agenda

How can men be mobilized and activated for the

women, peace and security agenda? How can we
create support and collaboration by using and
understanding gender relations?

Berlage Zaal

Moderator: Netsai Mushonga, Development Gender and

Peacebuilding Consultant
Speakers
Ilot Muthaka, Executive Director, Congo Mens Network
(COMEN)
Christian Ngendahimana, Executive Director, FontaineISOKO, Burundi
Seconde Nyanzobe, Chairperson, Fontaine-ISOKO
Joni van de Sand, Global Co-coordinator & Advocacy
Manager, MenEngage Alliance.
Organized by: Women Peacemakers Program (WPP)

11.00-11.30

Coffee break

Veilingzaal

ProgrammE
TIME

EVENT

LOCATION

Parallel sessions
11.30-13.00
Theme 1:
The security
sector,
women and
peacebuilding

Aiming for transformative change: How security

sector reform (SSR) can be a vehicle for change in the
UNSCR 1325 National Action Plans

Effectenbeurszaal

Moderator: Floortje Klijn, Policy Advisor, Oxfam Novib

Speakers
Wazhma Frogh, Founder & Executive Director, Research
Institute Women Peace and Security (RIWPS) Afghanistan
Gnrose Ngendanganya, General Director, Police
Nationale du Burundi (PNB).
Ojaswi Shah, Project Coordinator, Saferworld Nepal
Daniel de Torres, Deputy Head of Operations, Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)

TIME

EVENT

LOCATION

11.30-13.00

Understanding gender roles and engaging men in

prevention of conflict and addressing root causes of
conflict.

Berlage Zaal

Theme 3:
Masculinities
and the role
of men in
implementing
the women,
peace and
security
agenda

Organized by: Oxfam Novib and Dutch National Police Force

11.30-13.00
Theme 2:
Participation
of women in
post-conflict
processes
such as statebuilding and
peacebuilding

How to create an enabling environment for womens

(political) participation in countries in transition.
Moderator: Njeri Kabeberi, Executive Director, Centre for MultiParty Democracy
Speakers
Donia Ben Romdhane, Senior Advisor Democracy and
Gender, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)
Enrique Enguren, President, Protection International
Kaourthar Darmoni, Assistant Professor in Gender and
Media, University of Amsterdam
Organized by: Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democray
(NIMD) and Peace Brigades International (PBI)

ProgrammE

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Administratiezaal

Moderator: Anand Pawar, Executive Director, SAMYAK

communication and Resource Centre
Speakers
Anthony Keedi , Program Manager, ABAAD - Resource
Centre for Gender Equality
Cynthia Enloe, Research Professor, Clark University
Hesta Groenewald, Senior Policy and Security Adviser,
Saferworld
Isabelle Geuskens, Executive Director, Women
Peacemakers Program
Raziq Fahim, Executive Director, College of Youth
Activism and Development
Organized by: Women Peacemakers Program (WPP)

13.00-14.00

Lunch
Parallel sessions

Veilingzaal

14.00-15.30

Reframe gender as a business issue as opposed to a

feminine issue in the mentality of the military men
and women.

Effectenbeurszaal

Theme 1:
The security
sector,
women and
peacebuilding
&

Moderator: Marriet Schuurman, Special Representative on

Women, Peace & Security, NATO
Speakers
Bob Tamminga, Staff Advisor at NATO Maritime
Command, Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands
Joke Florax, Project Manager Gender, Dutch National
Police Force
Charlotte Isaksson, ACO Gender Advisor, NATO

Theme 3:
Masculinities
and the role
Organized by: Netherlands Ministry of Defense
of men in
implementing
the women,
peace and
security
agenda

ProgrammE
TIME

EVENT

LOCATION

14.00-15.30

How can we link women in different contexts

(local, national, international) as change agents in
transitional justice, conflict-resolution/prevention,
in a post-conflict setting?

Administratiezaal

17 February 2015
TIME

EVENT

LOCATION

Plenary

Theme 2:
Participation
of women in
post-conflict Moderator: Meryem Aslan, Senior Policy Advisor, Oxfam Novib
processes
such as state- Speakers
building and Suzan Aref, Director, Women Empowerment Organization
peacewordt Suzan Aref, Director, Womens Empowerment
building
Organization (Iraq)
Hibaaq Osman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer,
Karama
Nawal Yazeji, Co-President, Syrian Womens League

09.00-09.30

Welcome remarks
Lambert Grijns, Director of the Social Development
Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Netherlands

Administratiezaal

Parallel sessions
09:30-10:30

Drafting of key recommendations by expert group

Administratiezaal
theme 1: The security sector, women and peacebuilding
The recommendations which originated from the expert
sessions of theme 1 will be discussed and finalized.
Moderator: Floortje Klijn, Policy Advisor, Oxfam Novib

Organized by: Oxfam Novib, Hivos, Women Peacemakers

Program (WPP)

09:30-10:30

15.30-16.00

Coffee break
Plenary

16.00-17.30

Effectenbeurszaal
Optional: How can the women peace and security
agenda be merged with a national peace and security
agenda, instead of being a separate womens-only pillar?

Theme 2:
Participation
of women in
post-conflict
processes
such as statebuilding and
peacebuilding

ProgrammE

#nap1325

Veilingzaal

Drafting of key recommendations by expert group

theme 2: Participation of women in post-conflict processes such as state-building and peacebuilding

Verwey kamer

The recommendations which originated from the expert

sessions of theme 2 will be discussed and finalized.
Moderator: Mavic Cabrera-Balleza, International Coordinator,
Global Network of Women Peacebuilders

Moderator: Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini, Co-Founder and Executive Director, International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)

09:30-10:30

Speakers
Leona Landers, Assistant Director Gender Equality
Section, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia
Corina van der Laan, Head of Human Security Group,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
Daniel de Torres, Deputy Head of Operations,
Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)

Drafting of key recommendations by expert group

theme 3: Masculinities and the role of men in implementing the women, peace and security agenda

Berlagezaal

The recommendations which originated from the expert

sessions of theme 3 will be discussed and finalized.
Moderator: Isabelle Geuskens, Executive Director, Women
Peacemakers Program
10:30-11.00

Organized by: Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

17.30-18.00

Concluding session
Ret. Major General Patrick Cammaert

Effectenbeurszaal

19.00-21.00

Dinner at Artis Zoo Aquarium

Keynote speech: Bahia Tahzib-Lie, Special Envoy UN
Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands

Artis Zoo

Coffee break

Veilingzaal

ProgrammE
TIME

EVENT

LOCATION

Plenary
11:00-12:30

Presentation of key recommendations

The moderators of the morning session present the
recommendations. The NATO Special Representative for
Women, Peace and Security and the Special Envoy for
Women, Peace and Security of the Chairperson of the
African Union Commission will give reflections.

EVENT

LOCATION

13:30-14:30

Country group discussion Colombia

This session will bring together all interested participants
to discuss specifically which results of the conference
are interesting and should be further developed for
Colombia.

Verwey kamer II

Moderator: Wouter Dol, Programme Manager, NIMD &

Jurriaan Regouin, Programme Manager, NIMD
13:30-14:30

Speakers
Floortje Klijn, Policy Advisor, Oxfam Novib
Mavic Cabrera-Balleza, International Coordinator,
Global Network of Women Peacebuilders
Isabelle Geuskens, Executive Director, Women
Peacemakers Program
Marriet Schuurman, Special Representative on Women,
Peace & Security, NATO
Bineta Diop, Special Envoy for Women, Peace and
Security of the Chairperson of the African Union
Commission

Country group discussion Democratic Republic of the

Congo
This session will bring together all interested participants
to discuss specifically which results of the conference
are interesting and should be further developed for the
Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Ontvangkamer

Moderator: tbd
13:30-14:30

12.30-13.30

Lunch
Parallel sessions

Veilingzaal

13:30-14:30

Country group discussion Afghanistan

This session will bring together all interested participants
to discuss specifically which results of the conference
are interesting and should be further developed for
Afghanistan.

Verwey kamer I

Country group discussion South Sudan

This session will bring together all interested participants
to discuss specifically which results of the conference are
interesting and should be further developed for South
Sudan.

Berlagezaal

Moderator: Anke Kluppels, Senior Program Officer Gender,

Peace and Security, PAX for Peace
13:30-14:30

Country group discussion Sudan

This sessionwill bring together all interested participants
to discuss specifically which results of the conference are
interesting and should be further developed for Sudan.

tbd

13:30-14:30

Country group discussion Middle East and North

Administratiezaal
Africa region
will bring together all interested participants to discuss
specifically which results of the conference are interesting
and should be further developed for the Middle East and
North Africa region (MENA).

Moderator: Elise Kant, Advisor, ICCO

Moderator: Joris Geeven, Coordinator Women, Peace and

Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
Country group discussion Burundi
This session will bring together all interested participants
to discuss specifically which results of the conference are
interesting and should be further developed for Burundi.

TIME

Administratiezaal

Moderator: Dagmar Schumacher, Director, Brussels Office, UN

Women & Elisabeth van der Steenhoven, Director WO=MEN,
Dutch Gender Platform

13:30-14:30

ProgrammE

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Zijlkamer

Moderator: Jetteke Van Der Schatte Olivier, Program Manager

Women on the Frontline, Hivos

Moderator: tbd
14:30-15.00

Coffee break

Veilingzaal

ProgrammE
TIME

EVENT

LOCATION

Plenary
15.00-17.00

The Dutch National Action Plan (NAP) evaluated as a

tool of foreign policy
The Dutch National Action Plan 1325 model is unique
because of the cooperation between the government
and NGOs. What is its practical impact in (post)conflict
countries, how do local partners view the approach, and
how does the Dutch National Action Plan compare to
National Action Plans of other donors? Outcomes of the
evaluation of the Dutch National Action Plan 1325 will
be shared. What is important to incorporate in the next
Dutch National Action Plan 1325?
Moderator: Chantal de Jonge Oudraat, President, Women In
International Security (WIIS) and Senior Advisor, Center for
Gender and Peacebuilding, US Institute of Peace
Setting the scene: what are general opportunities and
obstacles for National Action Plans around the world
and where does the Dutch National Action Plan fit in?
Angelic Young, Senior Coordinator, The Institute for
Inclusive Security
Paul de Nooijer, Senior Evaluator, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Netherlands
Distilling good practices and lessons learned by direct
stakeholders of the Dutch National Action Plan
Mirjam Krijnen, Coordinator TaskForce Womens Rights
and Gender Equality, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Netherlands
Sophie Kesselaar, policy officer, WO=MEN Dutch Gender
Platform (National Action Plan 1325 coordinator on
behalf of civil society 2013-2014)
Lcol Bjorn de Heer, Chief J9 (CIMIC) / Gender Advisor for
Operations, Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands
Dewi Suralaga, Policy Advisor Womens Leadership
Peace & Security, Cordaid
Reality check by partners in the Global South. How
does the Dutch National Action Plan support their
work and how can we increase our impact?
tbd

ProgrammE

#nap1325

TIME

EVENT

LOCATION

17.00-17.15

Short break
Plenary

Veilingzaal

17:15-18:15

Joint Closing with Regional European Conference in

support of United Nations Peace Operations

Grote Zaal

Administratiezaal

Moderator: Wim Geerts, Director-General for Political Affairs,

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
Bert Koenders, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Netherlands
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director UN
Women (by videolink)
Herv Ladsous, Under Secretary General for
UN Peacekeeping Operations
18.15-19.00

Farewell reception

Grote Zaal

Background information for thematic sessions

09.30-11.00 Strengthening the voice and role of women networks
to improve local security - Organized by: PAX and Cordaid
Issue
Women play a crucial role in enhancing the daily safety of their communities; however they are still
lacking a voice and role in policies and practice affecting their security and that of their communities.
Often these policies do not reflect the daily realities of women at the local level. Womens organizations
and networks are crucial in identifying the needs of women and collectively engaging decision makers
and different stakeholders, at various levels, to influence policies and practice to improve security of them
and their communities. Yet they receive little recognition for the positive role they can play in promoting
security. Also within the international strategies to promote peace and security and counter terrorism,
there is little attention for women, whereas women, and girls, continue their strife to have their voices
heard on issues regarding their and their societys safety. However, promoting womens security is not
something which only concerns women. It is crucial to engage with local authorities (political, religious
and traditional leaders).
Policy makers, especially from the security sector (police, military) have difficulty in reaching out to local
women and are constrained in getting the nuances of what really happened in the communities and the
houses (amongst others due to the sensitivity of local women to be open to security people).
Questions
Security according to local women: from military to human security;
Methodologies and lessons learned in monitoring womens security
Engaging local stakeholders (authorities, security personnel, religious leaders) on security issues;
Influencing policy: connecting local to national & global.
Moderator: Simone Filippini, Chief Executive Director, Cordaid
Speakers
Hasina Safi, Executive Director, Afghans Womens Network (AWN)
Surood Al-Naqshabandi, Manager of Kirkuk Office, Iraqi Al-Amal Association
Sima Samar, Chairperson, Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission
Shukria Dini, Executive Director, Somali Womens Study Centre
Marouane Bakit, Director, Makers of Hope
Aref Dostyar, Board of Directors, Afghans for Progressive Thinking
Emile Kasololo, Lawyer, ADDROSMIL

09.30-11.00 Meaningful women leadership and participation in peace and

security: Are we doing the right thing?
Are we applying the right assumptions and addressing the underlying structural barriers effectively
to achieve the meaningful participation of women in all aspects of peacebuilding and political
processes? - Organized by: ICCO and CARE
Issue
The last 25 years only 1 in 40 peace treaty signatories have been women. Only 9 per cent of the 14,000
police officers and 2 per cent of the 85,000 military personnel in UN peacekeeping operations are women.
There have been no female chief mediators in UN-brokered peace talks. Yet as important as participation
at the high political level obviously is, experience also points to the importance of participation by
women at grassroots level who are generally worst affected by violent conflict, but most excluded from
decision making. Despite some successes of women at grassroots level to mobilize political action and
resources in support of their participation, the inclusion and meaningful participation of women in the
prevention, management, and resolution of conflict remains marginal. Too often initiatives are ad-hoc
and at elite level, and short-term participation at high level showcase events has distracted from
investing in meaningful participation in decision-making from the grassroots level up to the national and
international levels.
In this expert session, we want to examine why it has been so difficult to achieve meaningful participation
by women affected by conflict, and to connect grassroots womens peace building efforts up to national
and international peace-making efforts. Are there assumptions in the current approach to promote
womens participation at all decision-making levels in conflict affected situations that are incorrect?
Why, despite (inter)national policy changes and development with regard to the women, peace and
security agenda, are women still absent in formal peace talks and political processes? Why are we not
sufficiently addressing the structural barriers to womens meaningful participation, and how can we do
better?
Questions
What are the barriers for the grassroots womens movement to participate meaningfully and effectively
at (sub)national levels of peacebuilding and politics? And how can these barriers be better addressed by
local, national and international actors?
How are these barriers related to the understanding of WPS at the local and (inter)national level? And
what does this imply for the women, peace and security agenda beyond 2015?
Which best practices can be shared in linking local to national and international womens participation,
which can be scaled up or built upon?
How can participation by grassroots women in global-level decision-making on peace and security be
enhanced? Can we learn lessons from the implementation of other United Nations Security Council
resolutions (f.i. on the children in armed conflict agenda), and their existing models/mechanisms to
facilitate grassroots civil society engagement at the global level?

How can women, peace and security stakeholders UN agencies, governments, donors, (I)NGOs and
local civil society ensure womens participation from the grassroots level up to higher levels? What
practical and policy-related recommendations can be made?
Moderator: Mavic Cabrera-Balleza, International Coordinator, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders
Speakers
Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini, Co-Founder and Executive Director, International Civil Society Action
Network (ICAN)
Emma-Marie Bugingo, Executive Secretary, Pro-Femmes Rwanda
Ruth Oijambo-Ochieng, Executive Director, Isis-Womens International Cross Cultural Exchange
(Isis-WICCE)
Rita Abraham, Executive Director, EVE Organization for Women Development

09.30-11.00 How can men be mobilized and activated for the women, peace and
security agenda? How can we create support and collaboration by using
and understanding gender relations? - Organized by: Women Peacemakers Program (WPP)

11.30-13.00 Aiming for transformative change: How security sector reform

(SSR) can be a vehicle for change in the UNSCR 1325 National Action Plans -

Issue
Over the years, women peace activists have indicated that two main obstacles interfered with their
activism for gender-sensitive peacebuilding: society as a whole lacking a gender-analysis of violence, and
many male peace activists in particular lacking gender awareness and interest in gender justice issues.
It has led to increasing international recognition that men are important stakeholders in the
implementation of UNSCR 1325 and the struggle for gender justice and gender-sensitive peacebuilding.
This is reflected by a growing number of organizations and institutions starting to engage men and
incorporate a masculinities approach in their gender and/or peace work. This work is based on the
assumption that next to having a key role to play in supporting womens leadership as they are acting
as gatekeepers, men also have a stake in changing cultures of violence. To connect them to the women,
peace and security (WPS) agenda, it is hence important to also address the topic through their own
gendered experiences of violence and war. With almost 15 years into the implementation of UNSCR
1325, we need to engage in concrete efforts to broaden the constituency behind the women, peace and
security agenda, by engaging men. This raises the question: what are effective ways to mobilize men
for the women, peace and security agenda? What is the difference between an engaging men and
masculinities approach in this field of work? How can we learn from personal stories of male allies for
the women, peace and security agenda? What are the added value, lessons learned, opportunities and
pitfalls to take into account in terms of UNSCR 1325 implementation?

Issue
In many fragile and conflict-affected states, the first priority for women is often safety and stability. The
security sector plays a vital role in establishing this. However, in many countries they fail to deliver this at
best and at worst they constitute a serious source of insecurity and instability for women.

Questions
What are the different approaches of including a masculinities perspective and engaging men in UNSCR
1325 implementation, what works and what does not work?
What are on the one hand the motivations of men peace activists to be engaged in the implementation
of UNSCR 1325, and what are the obstacles for active involvement?
What is the impact of integrating a masculinities perspective for mobilizing men for the implementation
of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, based on lessons learned from the field?
What are key opportunities and challenges, and how to move forward?
Moderator: Netsai Mushonga, Development Gender and Peacebuilding Consultant
Speakers
Anand Pawar, Executive Director, SAMYAK communication and Resource Centre
Ilot Muthaka, Executive Director, Congo Mens Network (COMEN)
Christian Ngendahimana, Executive Director, Fontaine-ISOKO
Seconde Nyanzobe, Chairperson, Fontaine-ISOKO
Joni van de Sand, Global Co-coordinator & Advocacy Manager, MenEngage Alliance.

Organized by: Oxfam Novib and Dutch National Police Force

Governmental bodies and policy instruments in (post) conflict countries relevant for the implementation
of UNSCR 1325 have only recently been established or are still in the process of being established (e.g.
National Action Plans for 1325). However, progress in real terms is lagging behind and requires a more
structural and sustainable approach. Especially in the areas of security - the protection and safety of
women - little progress has been made in structural terms.
The field of security sector reform (SSR) is often the domain of national and inter-governmental actors,
in most cases signatories of the UNSCR 1325 themselves. However, often the focus is on the number of
women participating in the security forces (or number of women trained), rather than on the role women
inclusive security sector reforms can play in implementing UNSCR 1325 as well as in state building efforts.
Discussion questions
What are the challenges and obstacles for national and international civil society actors to effectively
engage with security sector reform (SSR) and promote inclusiveness through a 1325 perspective?
How can we encourage and strengthen cooperation (and if possible integration of efforts) between
(national and international) security sector actors and civil society on 1325?
How can we link national perspectives and experiences on integrating 1325 into security sector reform
(SSR) to international actors, and visa versa: how can international best practices and lessons learned
impact national engagement of civil society on 1325?
Moderator: Floortje Klijn, Policy Advisor, Oxfam Novib
Speakers
Wazhma Frogh, Founder & Executive Director, Research Institute Women Peace and Security (RIWPS)
Afghanistan
Gnrose Ngendanganya, General Director, Police Nationale du Burundi (PNB).
Ojaswi Shah, Project Coordinator, Saferworld Nepal
Daniel de Torres, Deputy Head of Operations, Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)

11.30-13.00 How to create an enabling environment for womens (political)

participation in countries in transition - Organized by: NIMD and PBI
Issue
Womens struggles for freedom and equality have been a vibrant part of all social movements for
transformation and social justice throughout history. Mary Wollstonecraft wrote in 1792 in her
Vindication of the Rights of Women that the struggle for womens rights happens within the personal
space the home and the family; and at the same time within the public space the political and
economic world. Also today, the protection of women activists is more effective if both spheres of
influence are taken into account.
The role of women in the Arab Spring is a striking example. It is hoped that their human rights activities,
which are used essentially nonviolently, will lead to significant changes, i.e. as to the role of women as
active change agent, and not only as victims. But the strong and brave women who bring about these
changes are quite often faced with insecurity and the failure of institutions that are supposed to protect
their security, such as police, army and judiciary. If they go against deep rooted beliefs and socio-cultural
attitudes they encounter a lot of resistance, not only from the local government, but often even more
from their own community.

parliament are caused by a multitude of intertwined socio-economic, religious and cultural factors. These
factors continue to impede women political leadership and affect both male and female politicians in
promoting gender-equality and womens rights. Especially in the male-dominated political arena, where
promoting gender-equality and womens rights often is a womens affair, both formal and informal rules
of engagement are not conducive and in some cases even hostile towards female politicians. How to
tackle this prevailing disregard of womens political rights and leadership in the political arena?
Questions
Which safety and security concerns are there for female activists and politicians? Which kind of
protection mechanisms do they have and invent themselves, and which do they lack and require? Are
there differences in these mechanisms for the different groups of activist women (e.g political woman
and woman at the grassroots) and how to strategize for improving this?
How can systems e.g. political parties be strengthened to improve the environment for activist or
politically active women? How can women active in the various fields (political, community activists etc)
better cooperate and strengthen one another, and contribute to each others protection?
What are good examples of engaged men in the protection of political active and activist women, and
how can these be strengthened?
Moderator: Njeri Kabeberi, Executive Director, Centre for Multi-Party Democracy

On a personal level women activists are targeted for who they are as well as all for the work they do in the
defense of human rights and the promotion of peace, justice, and democracy. They are often targeted in
gendered ways, including through the use of sexual violence, and too many are being killed. Also, they
(especially if women are not from the elite) often take on more responsibilities in child care compared to
men, and are therefore less mobile and more vulnerable in their immediate environment.
On an institutional level, low levels of womens leadership and participation in political parties and

Speakers
Donia Ben Romdhane, Senior Advisor Democracy and Gender, International Institute for Democracy and
Electoral Assistance (IDEA)
Enrique Enguren, President, Protection International
Kaourthar Darmoni, Assistant Professor in Gender and Media, University of Amsterdam

11.30-13.00 Understanding gender roles and engaging men in prevention of conflict and addressing root causes of conflict - Organized by: Women Peacemakers Program (WPP)

14.00-15.30 Reframe gender as a business issue as opposed to a feminine issue

in the mentality of the military men and women - Organized by: The Ministry of Defense of
the Netherlands

Issue
UNSCR 1325 was a direct result of womens lobbying and advocacy efforts in the aftermath of the Beijing
Platform for Action (BPfA). Though UNSCR 1325 has brought greater awareness on the gendered impact
of war on womens lives and the importance of including women in peacebuilding processes - manifesting
itself in follow-up UNSC resolutions, National Action Plans, and other policy commitments - it has not yet
achieved the transformational change hoped for, such as inclusive peace processes, a reduction in genderbased violence in conflict and a shift from armed interventions to nonviolent conflict resolution.
According to the BPfA, a transformative framework includes addressing human security issues,
investments in conflict prevention, disarmament and nonviolent conflict resolution mechanisms. The latter
demonstrates a different analysis of what makes peace and security altogether. As UN Women Executive
Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka stated From reducing military expenditure to conflict prevention to
fostering a culture of peace to ending occupation, we must remember that for women, peace and security is
not about simply adding women to the existing peace and security paradigm. It is about a vision of a more
equitable, peaceful and prosperous world
It invites us to go beyond adding women and stir approaches by engaging in a holistic gender analysis of
patriarchy, militarization, violence and hegemonic masculinities. How can addressing these linkages open
space for addressing the root causes of violent conflict, armed conflict prevention, non-violent alternatives
for addressing conflict and for effective implementation of UNSCR 1325?
Questions
What are the underlying assumptions and theory of change integrating a masculinities perspective for a
transformative UNSCR 1325 agenda and how can this lead to a gendered peace and security framework?
What are the opportunities and obstacles of including a masculinities perspective for the advancement of
armed conflict prevention and nonviolent conflict resolution?
What are effective approaches of integrating a masculinities perspective in the Women, Peace and Security
agenda and what should international organizations do to take this work forward?
What is the impact of integrating a masculinities perspective in deconstructing linkages between gender & militarism for the advancement of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, based on lessons learned from the field?
Moderator: Anand Pawar, Executive Director, SAMYAK communication and Resource Centre
Speakers
Anthony Keedi , Program Manager, ABAAD - Resource Centre for Gender Equality
Cynthia Enloe, Research Professor, Clark University
Hesta Groenewald, Senior Policy and Security Adviser, Saferworld
Isabelle Geuskens, Executive Director, Women Peacemakers Program
Raziq Fahim, Executive Director, College of Youth Activism and Development

Issue
Discussing gender within armed forces often triggers the opinion that gender is a feminine issue, to be
dealt with by women, for women. But both for operational effectiveness (a.o. being able to protect all
citizens and receiving intel from a female perspective as well) and as a necessity for inclusiveness in the
armed forces, integrating gender throughout is pivotal. However, organizational cultures of the armed
forces are highly masculine. And, because gender is often seen as a feminine issue, integrating the gender
perspective does not come naturally.
Pushed by UNSCR1325 and its succeeding resolutions, an increasing number of armed forces worldwide
do dedicate training and education to integrating gender in the military. Gender in military operations
means business: 50% of the population is female. The challenge is to reframe gender as a business issue
as opposed to a feminine issue in the mentality of the military men and women.
Questions
How can we reframe gender as a feminine issue to gender is business within the armed forces?
How can we explain that gender is seen as a feminine issue and how can we add masculinity to the
concept?
How does framing and reframing of concepts work, and how can we use this in our daily practice?
Within the police gender is seen as business. How successful is this approach and how can we learn from
this?
Moderator: Marriet Schuurman, Special Representative on Women, Peace & Security, NATO
Speakers
Bob Tamminga, Staff Advisor at NATO Maritime Command, Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands
Joke Florax, Project Manager Gender, Dutch National Police Force
Charlotte Isakkson, ACO Gender Advisor, NATO

14.00-15.30 How can we link women in different contexts (local, national, international) as change agents in transitional justice, conflict-resolution/prevention,
in a post-conflict setting? - Organized by: Oxfam Novib, Hivos, Women Peacemakers Program (WPP)
Issue
Official national and international processes have kept women and their organizations at the margins,
underestimating and undermining the role of women and their organizations at local, national and international
social and political institutions and decision making mechanisms. The important link between the local and
national realities and the regional and international processes is interrupted due to -among others- exclusion
of women, and insufficient focus on womens experiences and realities. Such exclusion significantly reduces the
potential of the global decision making on women, peace and security (WPS) to achieve positive outcomes.
Much change happens at local level. But today global decision-making is more far-reaching than ever
before, and therefore women rights organizations and broader civil society wants to be part of women,
peace and security relevant decision-making process. However, at the global and regional level a transparent democratic system that includes women rights organizations or broader civil society voices is lacking.
Barriers persist to enter the global arena, especially for women and organizations from the global South.
In addition, many strong resolutions have been adopted at international level, and the current political
narrative acknowledges the importance of womens participation. However the discussion on women,
peace and security and UNSCR1325 sometimes run faster than the practice and resources allocated for
implementation, while the approach remains by and large top-down, and de-linked from country realities
and the experiences of women and their organizations. In order to arrive at lasting changes in policies,
practices, ideas and beliefs at national and local level it is required to make UNSCR1325 context specific
instead of a single, standardized model of change. How can this best be done? How do we make sure that
the international standards are effectively implemented at the national and local level?
The events of the Arab Spring have given a boost to efforts to promote womens advancement in the Middle East
and North Africa (MENA) region: women have been at the forefront of campaigns for democracy, demanding a
say in how their countries futures are shaped and at the same time redefining the roles women traditionally play
in public life. However, the expansion of womens rights in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is still
a rocky road as gender norms remain very rigid and change, if at all, very slowly. Moreover some countries have
seen a rising conservatism going hand in hand with the Arab spring. What has this meant for the implementation
of the women, peace and security agenda in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region?
The discussion will look into the challenges and obstacles of linking different levels; at improving
coordination and harmony; and at improving implementation and monitoring of UNSCR1325. The
discussion will build specifically on experiences from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Moderator: Meryem Aslan
Speakers
Suzan Aref, Director, Women Empowerment Organization wordt Suzan Aref, Director, Womens
Empowerment Organization (Iraq)
Hibaaq Osman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Karama
Nawal Yazeji, Co-President, Syrian Womens League

16.00-17.30 How can the women peace and security agenda be integrated
with the wider peace and security agenda, instead of being a separate
womens-only pillar? - Organized by: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
Issue
UNSCR1325 and follow-up resolutions have created a strong normative framework and a political
impulse to the promotion and implementation of the women, peace and security agenda. Civil society
has been the driving force behind these resolutions, but 15 years later we see a growing recognition of its
significance by national governments and international organisations.
In spite of this growing political support, actual implementation is still challenging and raises dilemmas.
The main dilemma is that between the value of dedicated mechanisms , positions and plans such as
National Action Plan, Special Representatives, or 1325 units within government and non-government
organisations and the need to integrate a women, peace and security approach within the wider
policies of these organisations. Is there a risk that the special focus on the 1325 mandate undermines the
mandate for wider integration?
Questions
How to ensure broad ownership of a National Action Plan?
Role of oversight and accountability for the implementation of UNSCR1325 within government and
through parliament and civil society.
Need for knowledge sharing outside the 1325 expert community to achieve integration in wider policies
and implementation which arguments (rights-based or instrumental) work best in what context?
How to ensure that training is high impact?
Does the focus on women in UNSCR1325 and follow-up resolutions take away the focus on the need to
work with broader gender and inclusion analysis and approaches in peace and security?
Moderator: Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini, Co-Founder and Executive Director, International Civil Society Action Network
(ICAN)
Speakers
Leona Landers, Assistant Director Gender Equality Section, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia
Corina van der Laan, Head of Human Security Group, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
Daniel de Torres, Deputy Head of Operations, Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)

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