On November 8-9, 2014, the WPP Asia Network organized its annual meeting at the India Habitat Center in Delhi, India. It proved to be an inspiring meeting, with more than 15 network members from 8 different countries together, strategizing on Gender-Sensitive Active Nonviolence in Asia. (Pictures will follow soon!)
Being able to bring the majority of the network members together, the first day of the consultation focused on the work of network members in the previous year in Asia. Looking at the WPP Asia Activity Plan 2013/14, the group discussed the achievements, as well as the obstacles in regards to joint work in the region. Then the network reviewed the developments of WPP's work on the global level. The past year had been a busy year for WPP, both at programmatic level and institutional level. One of the most prominent activities was developing its new partnership structure. The Asia network members discussed the recent structural developments, including the position of the regional networks within the global community of WPP and the role of the individual members within the Asia network.
After a full day of reflecting and reviewing, the day ended with a learning session, which was highly appreciated by the network members. It contained a short workshop by one of the network members on the topic of masculinity, linking it to the issues of militarism and patriarchy from a feminist perspective.
During the second day of the meeting, the group looked forward, specifically looking at the upcoming year. 2015 will be a year packed with the conclusion of many international policy processes, such as the adoption of the Post-2015 development agenda, the Beijing Platform for Action +20 review and the 15th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325. First, the individual network members presented their international and country level plans for 2015. During these presentations, the members made an effort to connect the work on local and country level to the regional and global work of WPP, in order to combine efforts and strengthening collaboration.
Hereafter, WPP staff gave a presentation explaining the upcoming process of the high-level review on UNSCR 1325 by the UN Security Council, and the Global Study, coordinated by UN Women, that serves as a preparation for the high-level review. 15 years after its adoption, the high-level review will consist of an assessment of the implementation progress of UNSCR 1325 at the global, regional and national level. To facilitate this review, the Global Study will be highlighting examples of good practice, implementation gaps and challenges, as well as emerging trends of UNSCR 1325 implementation.
As several of the WPP Asia Network members are involved in national processes for giving input to the Global Study, the group strategized on how to make sure that the voice of the Asia region will be heard. They specifically looked at issues linked to the WPP work, such as Masculinities, Nonviolence and Militarism.
The last part of the day was dedicated to plan the work of the WPP Asia Network for the upcoming year, working in theme groups. From these discussions, three themes were selected for the work of the WPP Asia Network in 2015:
The meeting ended with a short evaluation, where people expressed that it had been two intense and productive days, with a strong feeling of commitment from every participant. “This is one of the few spaces where I do not feel I have to push for issues close to my heart, but where I meet people who are on the same page and have a common analysis.” (WPP Asia member from the Philippines)
WPP wants to thank all the members for their critical insights, openness in sharing and innovative strategizing during these two days. We are looking forward to working together in 2015 and beyond!
12 Dec '17 Today, we are pleased to share with you the Conference Report “Financial Inclusion for Freedom and Security” by the Women Peacemakers Program, Duke Law International Human Rights Clinic, Human Security Collective, Transnational Institute, the Charity & Security Network, in cooperation with the Knowledge Platform Security and Rule of Law.
7 Dec '17 Today, on the 13th day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign, we bring you the sad news that from 15 December onwards, the Women Peacemakers Program (WPP) will have to close its doors. We would like to ask for your time to read what has driven us to make this decision.
7 Nov '17 On Thursday, 26 October 2017, a side event entitled, “Pulling the Rug from Under Our Feet: What is the UNSCR 1325 Without Civil Society Freedoms?” was hosted on the margins of the 17th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325. The event was hosted by the Women Peacemakers Program (WPP) and the Dutch Mission, in collaboration with Duke Law’s International Human Rights Clinic, Al-Hayat Center for Civil Society Development, Arab Women Organisation of Jordan, NOVACT, Free Sight Association, Iraqi Al-Amal Association, Women Empowerment Organisation, NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. This article briefly looks at the main issues discussed during the event.
