DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION of National Action Plans ...

To ensure that Member states fulfil their obligations to develop National ActionPlans, they must have the capacity to do so. However, about 10 years after thepassage of UNSCR 1325 available information indicate that 7 ECOWAS Memberstates have developed National Action Plans and strategies for the effectiveimplementation of Resolution 1325. The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding(WANEP) has noted that “lack of political will and technical know-how” arecited as some of the reasons for the slow pace in elaboration of National ActionPlans. Thus, the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) has taken thebold initiative to develop a guide that will serve as a valuable resource for theformulation and implementation of National Action Plans by stakeholders inWest Africa.The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) must be commended forthe development of this very important guide as it will address the technicalcapacity gap, and invariably contribute to women’s ability to engage effectivelyin national and regional peace and reconciliation efforts.Government, Civil Society, Community Organisations and all relevantstakeholders engaged in peace, security, governance, elections, andhumanitarian processes – will find the guide useful. Development partnerswho seek to provide support to address gender inequality in the areas of“Prevention”, “Protection” and “Participation” will find the guide useful inorienting their contribution to strengthen the women, peace and securityagenda in West Africa. We should all be reminded that women’s engagementin peace processes are rooted in the traditional African value system, and let’shold on to this basic truth and remain committed to consolidating nationaland regional efforts with this guide.Dr. Sintiki Tarfa UgbeDirector in Charge of GenderECOWAS Commission, Abuja, Nigeriavii