Equality as a key to resilience: Ukraine shapes the vision of the new National Action Plan 1325
On 6-7 November, the National Forum From Lessons to Action: Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Ukraine was held in Kyiv, bringing together representatives of the government, parliament, international partners and civil society. The main goal was to take stock of the implementation of the current 1325 National Action Plan and develop recommendations for a new strategic phase for 2026-2030.
“The forum brought together more than 200 people, and its main goal was to draw attention to the topic and agenda of Women, Peace and Security. And also to talk about the achievements and positive practices that Ukraine has in the context of implementing the second National Action Plan 1325 at the national, regional and local levels. We believe, and this is one of our values, that women themselves know best how to solve the challenges and problems they face. And we believe that any policy will be effective only if it is implemented on the ground and if it works for those women who are in the regions, in small communities, in villages, in larger settlements,” said Natalia Karbovska, Director of Strategic Development at the Ukrainian Women’s Fund.
It is very important for us to implement a policy of equality and equal opportunities
Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, stressed that strengthening a gender-sensitive approach to defence, security and reconstruction is key to Ukraine’s resilience in the wake of war.
“Ukrainian society is mobilised in all its manifestations – in the military and in civilian life. This is possible only in a society where everyone has the opportunity to express themselves, where there is no prejudice. And we have been implementing national action plans to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 for almost 10 years, because it is very important for us to implement a policy of equality and equal opportunities, including the security dimension,” he stressed.
Olena Kondratiuk, Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, focused on the importance of supporting legislative initiatives aimed at protecting the rights of women servicewomen, veterans and women affected by war, as well as ensuring their full participation in decision-making at all levels.
“20 years ago, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. It was a turning point because it means that there can be neither peace nor security without women. Ukraine was the first and, by the way, the only country in the world to start implementing the resolution during active hostilities. And we are the only country that is updating and implementing the 1325 plan in the midst of Russia’s full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine,” she said.
We need more than just the presence of women – we need their influence
International partners praised Ukraine’s proactive approach to implementing UN Resolution 1325.
Martin Oberg, Ambassador of Sweden to Ukraine, stressed that Sweden, as one of the leaders in promoting feminist foreign policy, is ready to strengthen financial and expert support for Ukrainian institutions and civil society in implementing the next phase of the National Action Plan 1325, especially in the context of European integration.
Charlotte Suren, Deputy Ambassador of the United Kingdom, reminded that women’s participation in peace processes increases the sustainability of agreements by 35%:
“We need not just the presence of women – we need their influence. The UK will continue to support Ukrainian women who are changing their country.”
The forum participants discussed key challenges: protecting the rights of women veterans and servicewomen, developing gender-sensitive support programmes, the role of women and youth in countering online disinformation and violence, supporting women’s entrepreneurship and the role of local leadership in sustainable community development.
The forum’s breakout sessions formulated specific recommendations for the new National Plan:
- Increased funding for local initiatives;
- Integrating a gender perspective into all recovery policies;
- Ensuring equal access to security, peace and recovery solutions.
These developments will form the basis of the Forum’s Resolution, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine.
The forum was initiated by the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy, the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity, the Ukrainian Women’s Fund, the ICF “Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health” and UN Women in Ukraine, with financial support from the governments of the Netherlands, Canada, Croatia, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
