SEESAC Participating in the Dialogue on the Implementation of UNSCR 1325 in Serbia

On 23 February, UNDP/Office of Human Security Team Leader a.i, Dr. Ivan Zverzhanovski, took part in a discussion panel, reviewing the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) of the UNSC Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in Serbia.  The dialogue was specifically focused on the work of Analytical Groups, which are currently being established in several security ministries and agencies.

The event was organized by UN Women, and it brought together key actors, among them Dr. Tanja Miscevic, State Secretary at the Ministry of Defense (MoD); Ms. Vesna Nikolic, President of the Multi-sector Coordination Body; Dr. Jovanka Saranovic, Director of the MoD’s Institute for Strategic Research; Dr. Ivan Zverzhanovski , Team Leader a.i. at the UNDP’s Office for Human Security (OHS);  Ms. Dragana Petrovic, independent consultant; and Mr. Nenad Bosiljcic from the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence.

Analytical Groups are envisaged to collect and analyze data that can help ensure effective implementation of the NAP and UNSCR 1325 goals – namely “increased representation of women at all decision-making levels in national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict.”
 
Dr. Miscevic stressed the need for all institutional mechanisms, tasked with the implementation of NAP, to be established, to work and to collaborate amongst each other on a regular basis. Also, Dr. Miscevic pointed out, in order to have relevant policies and practices established, we must ensure that they are based on a gender sensitive analysis, which can in turn only be based on data that was collected in a gender sensitive manner. Ms. Petrovic underlined that quality analysis also requires strengthening the capacity of the Analytical Groups themselves. Serious support by the management structures, as well as dedication by the members of Analytical groups to presenting the situation in its true light are also paramount for the success of this effort, concluded Ms. Petrovic.

Dr Zverzhanovski reminded all present that we should aim towards a system in which gender mainstreaming is done by all employees rather than a select few and that, if we are successful,  “analytical groups should eventually wither away.” Furthermore, Dr. Zverzhanovski emphasized that UNDP/OHS will support the implementation of the NAP generally, and capacity development of the analytical group specifically, through its project Support for Gender Mainstreaming in Security Sector Reform in the Western Balkans. UNDP/OHS is currently already supporting the implementation of the NAP through Women Police Officers Network in South East Europe (WPON).