A series of consultations are being held around the globe to inform the Global Study on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. These consultations will provide an opportunity for Radhika Coomaraswamy, lead author of the Global Study, to have a dialogue regarding progress and challenges to the implementation of Resolution 1325 and the women, peace and security agenda. Discussions will be held with member states and civil society representatives, as well as academia, policy makers, senior UN leadership and most importantly those who have been directly impacted by conflict.

     With support from UNWOMEN, on Feb 16, in Tirana a Balkan CSO consultation was organized for the Global Study on the implementation of UNSCR 1325. Women’s rights activists from the throughout the region gathered to contribute to the study. KWN Executive Director and member of High-level Advisory Group for the Global Study onUNSCR 1325, Igballe Rogova, participated in this meeting.

     The Balkans were selected for a consultation because of the conflict that occurred during the 1990s and the diverse experiences of peace and security in former Yugoslav countries. The establishment of the international Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and several of the Tribunal’s judgments can be seen as important milestones for regional efforts towards recovery and reconciliation following the 1990s war. The regional consultation provided an opportunity to examine to what extent positive developments have occurred and challenges persist in areas such as women’s participation and representation, their protection against sexual violence and other humans rights abuses, their economic and social empowerment, as well as their access to (transitional) justice, reparations and humanitarian assistance whenever needed.        

    The region also has valuable experiences in the context of border crossing security challenges. Recommendations will be critical to chart the way towards a renewed commitment to the women, peace and security agenda.