April 8, 2022 (DJIBOUTI, Djibouti): IGAD Secretariat in partnership with UNDP Regional Center Service for Africa (RCSA) yesterday concluded a two-day induction training for the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs’ newly established Technical Committee for the development of the National Action plan (NAP) for Women, Peace, and Security in Ethiopia. The Technical Committee comprises relevant government Ministries, including representatives of MoWSA, National Defense, Ministry of Peace, Foreign Affairs Office, Prime Minister Office, Federal Police Commission and Ministry of Justice, among others. Selected women’s organizations, and development partners such as the Network of Women’s Associations, Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), UNDP, IGAD, and UN Women, are also represented in the Technical Committee of the NAP.
The overall objective of the induction training is to increase the knowledge of the newly established National Technical Committee on the Women Peace and Security agenda and on the development of the National Action Plan.
Some of the specific objectives of the training are to take the Committee through the relevant process and steps on the development of a National Action Plan; and develop a roadmap and operational plan for the development of the National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325
In 2019 IGAD conducted an assessment entitled, “promoting Gender, Peace and Security in IGAD’S Region, status and support to the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and 1820. Based on the findings of the study, IGAD developed a policy brief on the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Ethiopia, which was the basis for dialogue between IGAD and the Government of Ethiopia on the development of a National Action Plan.
The setting up of the National Steering and Technical Committee for the development of a NAP on WPS in Ethiopia marks a new era in consolidating the efforts made by the government of Ethiopia and development partners to promote the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Ethiopia through articulating and prioritizing the gender needs of Ethiopian women and girls in fostering peace and security in the country.
