The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security review of implementation of the Lithuanian second National Action Plan June 2020 – March 2022
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Author: Center for Equality Advancement www.gap.lt/en 2022 Cover: @Mayur Deshpande/Unsplash.com
Publication is the product of the project „Visuomenė ir NVO – Vystomasis bendradarbiavimas ir humanitarinė pagalba“ / „Society and NGOs – Development cooperation and humanitarian action”, funded by the 2014-2020 the European Union Social Investment Fund 10-year program 10.1.2-ESFA-K-917. The content is the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union Social Investment Fund or European Union.
Project coordinator: Lithuanian NGDO Platform www.vbplatforma.org
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The United Nations Security Council (UNCR) unanimously adopted Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security on October 31, 2000. This document, first produced by the United Nations (UN), assessed the role and experience of women in preventing and resolving armed conflict. The resolution obliged all Member States to: examine greater representation of women at all levels of decision-making in local, national, regional and international institutions and in the mechanisms of conflict prevention, management and resolution; ensure greater representation of women at all levels of decision-making in local, national, regional and international institutions; include material in national military and civilian police training missions on the protection of women in armed conflict, their rights and needs, on the greater role of women in all peacekeeping and peace-building measures, and on awareness of HIV and AIDS prevention; increase financial, technical and logistical support for gender-sensitive training measures; empower women for political and social leadership by eliminating violence against women. One of the policies promoted by the UN is the development and implementation of periodically updated National Action Plans (NAPs) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), supported by the financial commitment of public authorities and their cooperation with civil society organizations (CSOs). By the order of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Republic of Lithuania (RL), the first NAP: “United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 1325 (2000) on a Plan of Measures for the Implementation of Women, Peace and Security in Lithuania”1, was confirmed on December 28, 2011. According to experts, it paid due attention to informing the public about UNSCR 1325, but did not provide mechanisms for evaluating the implementation of the NAP, and did not involve CSOs in the preparation and implementation stages of the document2. The evaluation of the implementation of the first Lithuanian NAP was prepared by the experts of the Center for Equality Advancement.3 The 2nd action plan for the implementation of the WPS Agenda 2020-2024 was approved by the order of the MFA on June 22, 2020.4 This review provides information on the implementation of the 2nd NAP executed by five ministries: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the RL (MFA), the Ministry of National Defense of the RL (MND), the Ministry of Social Security and Labor of the RL (MSSL), the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Ministry of Interior of the RL (MoI) and the Police Department of the Ministry of the Interior (PD).
Design The preparation of the NAP was organized by the MFA, involving not only representatives of the ministries, PDs, municipalities, but also the CSOs working in the field of women and human rights. However, the government did not invite CSOs to sign the NAP. Unfortunately, the practice when only state institutions participate in the signing is consolidating in Lithuania. Furthermore, one of other possible reasons is that Lithuanian CSOs are not seen as equal partners in the implementation https://www.urm.lt/uploads/default/documents/Lietuva%20regione%20ir%20pasaulyje/Jungtiniu_Tautu_Saugumo_Tarybo_ rezoliucijos/1325igyvendinimoplanas.doc 2 https://1325naps.peacewomen.org/index.php/nap-overview/lithuania-nap-overview/ 3 http://eplo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Lithuania_UNSCR1325_NAP_Contribution.pdf 4 https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/b430a080b76f11ea9a12d0dada3ca61b?positionInSearchResults=17&searchModelUUID=9fbbe18dd85c-41f9-b90e-c489928aa38a
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process, as they do not have more practical experience in implementing UNSCR 1325. On the contrary, a number of CSOs have extensive expertise in human rights, domestic violence, human trafficking, anti-discrimination, gender equality and development cooperation. If the government identified specific NAP activities to implement CSO measures in the field of their expertise (such as projects on gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, change of masculinity or gender stereotypes) instead of the current extensive "training on the content of UNSCR 1325", local CSOs would increase their activities in implementing NAP. Therefore, it is also important to provide funding for the implementation of these activities.
Implementation CSOs were involved in the preparation stage of the 2nd NAP package. This could be considered as a positive sign for the effective execution of the NAP, nonetheless their involvement in the NAP implementation and monitoring phases has been lacking. Several factors are related to the challenges of implementing the NAP. One of them is the insufficient involvement of CSOs, which is caused by the paucity of special funding mechanisms for the implementation of NAP measures. Secondly, lack of transparency due to the fact that NAP implementing parties do not publish annual progress reports.
The Government has implemented following measures: 1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1.1. The staff of the MFA supervising this area has changed due to the staff rotation and the difference between the implementation and monitoring periods. In addition, there is no supervisor for the NAP implementation and its surveillance at the moment (May 2022). 1.2. MFA personnel were exchanging experiences with foreign partners on how to motivate women to participate in civilian international and EU missions or operations in 3 partners’ meetings abroad. 1.3. November 10, 2021 The Prime Minister of Lithuania participated in the meeting of the Women's World Leaders' Council, where she presented the achievements of the Government's work and future plans in the field of political and economic empowerment of women and reduction of gender exclusion. 1.4. Ambassador Laima Jurevičienė participated in the meetings of the Nordic-Baltic (NB8) NAPs Coordinators Group. In September - December, 2020, 6 remote meetings took place, in January - April, 2021 - 3 remote meetings. Issues related to WPS were discussed nationally and internationally, and good practices were shared. 1.5. Lithuania contributed to the preparation of the EU statement, in which Lithuania referred to a reference to migrant women and refugees on May 20, 2020 in a remote joint meeting of the OSCE Committee on Security Cooperation (FTC) and the OSCE Permanent Council on WPS. 1.6. In 2021, Lithuania participated in 7 joint statements of the EU, 9 joint statements of the Nordic and Baltic states (one of which was prepared and read on behalf of NB8 by Lithuania) and 8 joint statements of other like-minded formats at the UN Human Rights Council (HCR) in Geneva on gender equality, women's empowerment and anti-discrimination and violence against women in matters of sexual and reproductive health and rights.
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1.7. In 2022, at the 49th session of the UNHRC, Lithuania supported 3 initiatives related to women's rights issues. Lithuania was one of the drafters of the resolution on resistance to disinformation, which includes elements of women's rights. It also joined the 3 joint statements on the situation of women's rights after Covid-19, the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan and the economic empowerment of women. 1.8. Experts of the EU WPS Task Force are held twice a year, as well as strategic meetings twice a year. A representative of COHOM (Audronė Margenytė-Cazan since 2020) participates in the technical level WPS Task Force meetings. The annual meetings of the Global WPS NFP network are renewed this year. A meeting is planned in Geneva in May, and Lithuania's participation is planned. 1.9. The knowledge of the staff of the MFA on GBV is deepened by preparing the staff of the MFA for diplomatic missions, consular posts and special missions. Staff are taught how to identify victims of violence or sexual exploitation and what to do when providing assistance. For example, in February 2022, the MFA organized a national interdepartmental seminar “Lithuania's Place in the EU CSDP”, in which the main thematic report and one of the discussion segments were devoted to NAP aspects. 1.10. In February, 2021 a four-module remote trainings were organized for the representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on the international WPS agenda. The aim of the training is to increase women's participation in the peace and security process, thus contributing to the reduction of GBV and the greater representation of women in national and municipal decision-making. During the training, participants deepened their knowledge in the areas of gender equality, women's leadership, prevention of GBV and human trafficking. 1.11. NAP coordinators’ meeting of Lithuanian institutions (MFA, MoI, PD) on December 21, 2021 with representatives of civil society (Women's Information Center, Atlantic Treaty Association of Lithuania LATA) on analysis and further planning of NAP implementation was organized. 1.12. “International Women's Leadership Forum” - a conference for the 20 years of UNSCR 1325 anniversary was held in July 1, 2021 in Vilnius (the event due to the pandemic was postponed from 2020), organized by the Women's Information Center, the MFA, and the US Embassy in Lithuania. The purpose of the forum was to promote and strengthen the participation of NGOs in the implementation of UNSCR 1325.
2. Ministry of National Defense 2.1. The MND has made a study on the participation of civilian national defense personnel and women soldiers in international operations and EU training missions, analyzing trends and reasons for their non-participation or close to lack of participation in international operations and EU training missions. 2.2. The cadets of General Jonas Žemaitis Lithuanian Military Academy are taught subjects focused on a better understanding of gender relations and the acquisition of appropriate professional competencies necessary to ensure equal opportunities for women and men in the national defense system. 2.3. Military psychologists of the Lithuanian Armed Forces give lectures on the prevention of psychological violence (bullying, mobbing) in the work environment every year. Dr. Jonas Basanavičius Military Medical Service prepared and distributed an informational publication “Zero Tolerance to Violence in the National Defense System” of the National Security Service and soldiers, as well as informational publications “Sexual Violence against Women in Military Conflict” and “How to Recognize Psychological Violence and Mobility at Work”, which will be released in 2022. 5
2.4. Representatives of the Defense Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces gave 9 lectures to soldiers going on international operations (missions) in 2020 and 11 lectures in 2021 (each lasting 1 hour) on the UNSCR 1325 and the requirements and implementing measures of other related resolutions. Lectures were given to soldiers preparing for international operations (missions) in Afghanistan, Mali, Somalia, Kosovo, Turkey, and the Mediterranean region. 2.5. Representatives of the MND regularly exchange experience with foreign partners on how to motivate women to participate in civilian international and EU missions or operations, attend meetings with senior officials of other countries, share experience in integrating WPS provisions into institutions and participate in international expert meetings (NATO, OSCE, etc.). Staff attended 1 meeting during 2020 and 5 meetings during 2021.
3. Ministry of Social Security and Labour 3.1. Chancellor Giedrė Balčytė, together with Jolanta Sakalauskienė, Head of the Equal Opportunities and Equality Group participated at the 66th session of the UN Committee on the Status of Women in March 2022, to address emerging global threats in a targeted way. Moreover, important focus was put on the situation of women in Ukraine. It has been argued that women are not only the main victims of conflict, but can contribute effectively to their resolution through their knowledge and skills. The delegation of the committee meeting also included members of the Organisation..
4. Ministry of Health (MoH) 4.1. Institute of Hygiene of MoH in 2021 completed a study on “Accessibility of personal health care services to women who have experienced domestic violence”, on the basis of which prepared and published two articles: “Factors related to human resources, that affecting access to personal health care services for women who have experienced domestic violence” (2021)5 and “Accessibility of personal health care services to women who have experienced domestic violence and the factors determining it” (2022)6.
5. Ministry of Interior 5.1. The MoI's website www.bukstipri.lt annually provides relevant statistical information on women victims of crime. As well as relevant information about domestic violence e.g. an article on domestic violence during the pandemic and relief measures was published. This measure is used to assist NGOs to develop competence in matters on the WPS.
6. Police Department within the Interior 6.1. A video prepared by the Women's Information Center on UNSCR 1325 on WPS, a leaflet on police assistance to women and girls experiencing violence, and a leaflet on “Violence, harassment at work” to share information on violence and sexual harassment as well as were to seek help were distributed to all police officers. 6.2. The PD organized two remote seminars for the police community on UNSCR 1325 for women police officers going on missions abroad. 6.3. The personnel of PD staff participated in 10 trainings, seminars and conferences in foreign countries to motivate women to participate in civilian international and EU missions or operations during 2021. 5 6
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Conclusions The data collected shows that, although the implementation of the 2nd NAP has not even reached its midterm, the implementers have executed most of the NAP measures planned. The question is whether the measures chosen are ambitious enough, in line with current issues and sufficiently in line with the provisions of the WPS. The analysis shows that there are no indicators to monitor a behavioral or legislative change after implementation of NAP. No qualitative or quantitative analysis is planned to measure the impact. Nonetheless, the MND has made a study on the participation of civilian national defense personnel and women soldiers in international operations and EU training missions, analyzing trends and reasons for their non-participation or close to lack of participation in international operations and EU training missions, which could become the foundation to monitor effects of NAP implementation in national defense system. Therefore, it should be taken into consideration to plan similar studies in other areas supervised by the NAP implementers in order to monitor the impact of the NAP’s implementation. For instance, the Institute of Hygiene of the MoH has prepared a study and published two articles on accessibility of personal health care services to women who have experienced domestic violence. It could subsequently serve as a basis for assessing changes in the implementation of the NAP. However, the MoH did not plan to continue this study, thus no preconditions have been created to monitor the impact made. The lack of focus on a specific change and goal is noticeable throughout the NAP - measures are planned and implemented, though the end result remains unclear. Therefore, designing specific indicators in the 3rd NAP package as well as methods to measure them are of utmost importance. The NAP implementers collect information and respond to inquiries about the implementation of the measures, yet, they do not provide publicly available annual reports, except for the MND. In the absence of this data, it is not possible to assess the accountability of the executors, especially the MFA. Most importantly, the MFA as the institution supervising the implementation of the NAP must collect general information from all other institutions implementing the measures, prepare a summary report and submit it to the UN. Although only 5 ministries are currently implementing the NAP, all ministries should be involved in ensuring the complexity of addressing the issues identified in UNSCR 1325. For example, without the Ministry of Finance, there is no possibility to ensure targeted, changeoriented financing of NAP measures from the state budget. The Ministry of Education, Science and Sport should also play an important role, due to the fact that education and prevention are key determinants in changing the cultural attitudes that are the main cause of GBV. Notably, this education needs to be strengthened for the staff in the institutions implementing the NAP, as there is still a paucity of basic understanding of the importance of GBV and its prevention. Even though the NAP is being implemented at the national level, there is a lack of involvement in the municipalities. Dissemination of information in the regions would help to reach a wider audience on WPS issues. Furthermore, raising public and CSOs awareness would also lead to more tangible results in implementing NAP measures. Thus far, dissemination is taking place only within the NAP implementing institutions.
The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security review of implementation of the Lithuanian second National Action Plan June 2020 – March 2022
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