Through GPS, EPLO works to promote the inclusion of a gender perspective and the meaningful participation of women in European peace / security policy and practice.  

GPS has the following five objectives (2010-2012):

• Promoting the inclusion of women and a gender perspective in EU peace / security policy and practice, inclusing in the current EU institutional reform process;
• Exchanging information, joint advocacy and promoting cooperation, between governments / institutions and civil society, and among civil society organisations, on EU and MS implementation of women, peace and security (WPS) commitments - including acting as the platform in Brussels / Europe for gender, peace and security issues;
• Designing and promoting WPS accountability mechanisms;
• Ensuring and enabling the inclusion of a gender perspective in EPLO's work and in the work of interested EPLO member organisations; and
• Increasing participation of women in policy processes pertaining to peace / security, in particular the participation of women from conflict-affected areas.

Background Information

EPLO's working group on Gender Peace and Security (GPS) got established in January 2006. GPS responds to the fact that the interests, roles and rights of all gender groups are still not equally considered or used, especially in conflict and security situations. This occurs despite the fact that women, as a group, are disproportionately affected by conflict. As such, the expertise, knowledge, and skills of sections of the community are under-utilised when it comes to early warning, planning for peace, and sustainable rebuilding after conflict. Through GPS, EPLO works to promote the inclusion of a gender perspective and the meaningful participation of women in European security and peacebuilding policy and practice.

Recent Activities

• In late July 2010 EPLO launched a publication entitled UNSCR 1325 in Europe - 21 case studies of implementation. The publication documents civil society experiences of working on WPS policy and practice in Europe, particularly on national action plans (NAPs) for implementation of UNSCR 1325 and related WPS commitments. Prepared by CSO representatives from across Europe, the 21 studies cover a wide variety of countries and regions in Europe, including countries with and without action plans; new, old and non-EU Member States; and several conflict-affected areas. Click here for the case studies publication.
• On 22-23 July 2010 EPLO and International Alert organised a workshop on developing a plan for joint European WPS advocacy in 2010.
• In April 2010 we organised a CSO training on European civil society advocacy on WPS issues. For more information, please click here.
• In late March 2010 we facilitated the first exchange between the EU Task Force on WPS and CSOs based in Brussels.
• In March 2010 we organised, together with International Alert (funded through the Initiative for Peacebuilding) a CSO consultation on EU indicators developed to measure progress on implementation of SCR 1325 and 1820. For more information, click here.
• In September 2009 we organised, in advance of the first EU Member State exchange meeting on national implementation of SCR 1325, and in close cooperation with EPLO MO International Alert (under the Initiative for Peacebuilding), a CSO conference on implementation of SCR 1325 / WPS commitments in Europe. Participants at this conference were asked to share experiences and lessons learned. Participants also developed a list of recommendations as to how to further implementation of SCR 1325 in Europe.

For more information on EPLO's GPS Working Group, please contact Sanne Tielemans, EPLO Policy Officer and coordinator of GPS .

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