Susan Shaer Moderates DC Roundtable for Members of Congress on UN Resolution 1325 and the NAP

WASHINGTON – A Roundtable held Wednesday, June 6, 2012 on the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAP) was moderated by Susan Shaer, executive director of the Boston-based national nonprofit Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND). The discussion was co-sponsored by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-MO), the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and US Section. Featuring first ever US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer, the program focused on the role of women in peace-building and conflict prevention.

“Secretary Clinton has continually stated that it is time for the US to ‘fundamentally change the ways we do business’ with regards to women’s issues,” stated Susan Shaer. “WAND knows that women must be at the table when developing and executing plans for sustainable peace. We look forward to working with Congresswoman Johnson, Congressman Carnahan, Ambassador Verveer, WILPF, and other Congressional and community leaders, to push for funding and legislative efforts that support the implementation of this plan to promote women, peace and security.”

The NAP states that the US will "institutionalize a gender-responsive approach to its diplomatic, development, and defense-related work in conflict affected environments," and will work to increase women's rights and "substantive participation in peace processes, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, transitional processes, and decision making institutions in conflict-affected environments."

“This Roundtable Discussion is a part of my women’s peace initiative A World of Women for World Peace,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “Through this initiative, I have worked tirelessly to bring attention to those on the forefront of the peace movement. Whether meeting with international delegations or hosting events on Capitol Hill, such as this one, I hope to bring conflict resolution to our dialogue. The goal for this discussion was to provide a foundation for how my colleagues and I can best support the implementation of the National Action Plan.”

“Women and girls are disproportionately affected by violence, conflict, and humanitarian disaster,” said Congressman Carnahan. “Though we hear about it all too rarely, they have made incredible contributions to ending conflict around the world—like in Liberia, where Muslim and Christian women came together to help end civil war—or in Northern Ireland, where women were essential in initiating the peace process. Today, women in countries around the world, like Sudan, the DRC, Afghanistan, and countries affected by the Arab Spring continue to demand a voice in peace, transition, and governance. These women, and so many more, exemplify why UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security are critical for global security and prosperity. Our roundtable dialogue helped further Congressional commitment to ensure robust implementation of the National Action Plan.”

The NAP is the outcome of a process that began more than a decade ago with the passing of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which encouraged the UN and its member states to integrate a "gender perspective" in all aspects of peace and security. In October 2004, a subsequent Security Council Presidential Statement called on the “development of national action plans” to further implement SCR 1325. To date, 35 countries have approved plans.