• Gender Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia said the plan seeks to strengthen, accelerate and provide accountability on implementation of the women, peace and security agenda.
• The UNSC Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) recognizes the centrality of gender in approaches to international peace and security and addresses the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma with senior uniformed women officers at Ulinzi House during the commemoration of the UNSC Res 1325/ COURTESY
The second Kenya National Plan of Action for the Implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and Related Resolutions has been launched.
The document was launched virtually by the Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Youth in partnership with the ministries of Defence, Interior and Foreign Affairs, United Nations representatives and the embassies of Canada and Finland, as well as civil society organisations.
Gender Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia said the plan seeks to strengthen, accelerate and provide accountability on implementation of the women, peace and security agenda.
“We appreciate the role played by my Ministry and that of Interior and Coordination of National Government. I wish to thank our valued partners for the support and commitment in this process: UN Women, Embassy of Finland, Coffey International and the National Steering Committee members.,” Kobia said on Wednesday.
The UNSC Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325), unanimously adopted on October 31, 2000, recognizes the centrality of gender in approaches to international peace and security and addresses the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women.
The resolution places the security concerns of women in situations of armed conflict and their roles in peacebuilding on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council – the most powerful international multilateral security institution.
“UNSCR 1325 recognizes the importance of women’s contributions to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding, and notes that these contributions have historically been undervalued and underutilized,” Kenya’s Action Plan reads in part.
“This launch comes at a time when Kenya, and the world at large, is going through extraordinary challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. It has, however, not deterred us from delivering on our national priorities, including our national agenda on involving women in peace and security agenda,” Kobia added.
She said in delivering KNAP II for the next five years, the call for action will centre on four pillars of participation, prevention, protection, relief and recovery.
Finland Ambassador Erik Lundberg said he was honoured to participate in the launch of the launch, and that he was proud of his country and Kenya’s partnership in promoting Women peace security.
“We have seen localisation of the KNAP II to the county level. The local peace champions are the true agents of change. Sustainable peace cannot be built on structures that promote inequality,” Ambassador Lundberg said.
Defence CS Monica Juma commended CS Kobia for ensuring the successful launch, even in the midst of combating Covid- 19.
“The timing is optune because women and girls are bearing the brunt of the pandemic. We at the MOD remain sharply focused on ensuring full implementation of the gender mainstreaming policy in our ministry, and look forward to the full implementation of KNAP (2020-2024).,” Juma said.
