The United Nations Security Council has welcomed the Sudanese National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace & Security, an unprecedented occurrence in Sudanese history and an important milestone in the ongoing political transition.
The Geneva Institute for Human Rights was heavily involved in the process, through the project of “Promoting UN Security Council Resolution 1325” in Sudan, which was developed from the 1325 Security Council Resolution of 31 October 2000. The resolution aims at promoting the participation of women in the peace process and to better protect women and girls from violence in armed conflict contexts.
The methodology for preparing the National Action Plan was based on the principle of active participation among all parties. Thus, a workshop at the Police House in Khartoum focused on UN Resolution No. 1325 was organised in Khartoum from 14-15 of December 2019, furthermore a 13 state workshop that took place from 16 to 27 February 2020 was organised by the Minister of Labor and Social Development in partnership with the Geneva Institute for Human Rights - Sudan Office, with the support of the Norwegian Embassy in Khartoum.
On the 8th of March 2020, in her official statement on International Women’s Day, H.E. Lena Elsheikh, Minister of Labour and Social Development, talked about the NAP and the necessary steps in ensuring its endorsement by the Council of Ministers.
On the 10th of March 2020, a joint meeting of ministerial sectors in the Council of Ministers, chaired by Minister of Cabinet Affairs Ambassador Omar Bashir Manis, approved the national plan for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women, Security and Peace 2020-2022) in preparation for its lifting to the Council of Ministers.
Finally, on the 11th of March 2020, the Council of Ministers, chaired by Dr. Hamdouk, approved the National Plan for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women, Security and Peace 2020-2022), thus demonstrating Sudan's commitment to improving women's protection and status in Sudan, promoting greater respect and protection of human rights in general and in particular for women, in justice, and participation, and the implementation of UN security Council Resolution 1325.
The possibility of benefiting from UN Resolution 1325 and its implementation at State level in Sudan is incredibly high as the protection of the rights of women and girls, displaced women and persons, will be positively reflected in the development of national policies.
As GIHR has been close to the project since it’s conception, the Institute is currently working with the Ministry of Labour and Social Development to ensure the effective implementation of the NAP.