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Implementation of UNSCR 1325 in the Republic of Slovenia with Focus on Slovenian Armed Forces

Authored by: Breda Bunič

Categories: The Field of Women, Peace and Security
Sub-Categories: National Security Forces and Armed Groups, Peacekeeping, Security Sector Reform (SSR), UN Resolutions
Country: Slovenia
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Year: 2011
Citation: Bunič, Breda. "Implementation of UNSCR 1325 in the Republic of Slovenia with Focus on Slovenian Armed Forces." In Women in the Security Sector -- A Regional Perspective: A Collection of Thematic Papers, edited by Jovanka Saranović, 72-85. Belgrade: Strategic Research Institute of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, 2011.

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Executive Summary

Security is a basic human need and hence a basic human right. However, the rights of the one side are always linked with the obligations of the other side. Considering the fact that there are both women and men in the world, it would be reasonable and logical to expect that the right and responsibility for security is required from women, too. This however has not been and is still not the case in many places, even though the UN Security Council clearly stated as early as 2000, presenting its first resolution on women, peace and security, that peace is an asset, for which women are also responsible and must thus participate in all processes of decision-making related to the provision of peace and security. The exclusion of women from the prevention of disputes and armed conflicts and from the processes of mitigating their consequences appears even more unreasonable, as women appreciate the value of peace to the same extent or even more. It is unusual, given the importance of the issue, or expected, given the fact that women are involved, that the implementation has been going on for more than a decade, and yet we are only halfway. This complex task that requires initially a change in thinking and awareness of both genders is also reflected in the need for the adoption of further resolutions in order to facilitate the implementation of the first. The same goal was also pursued in the development of national action plans. Europe has twelve plans and at least two in the pre-approval stage. The same direction of thinking and functioning has also been perceived in the EU and NATO. Unfortunately, the truth is that women are still only the »target audience« for violence and at the same time underrepresented in the decision-making process on disputes and armed conflicts, and are mainly recognized as victims. The Republic of Slovenia (RS) is aware of its responsibility, and the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) as a new armed force of the new country initiated activities as early as 2007 for the implementation of the first resolution. The Ministry of Defence also pioneered the establishment of the interagency working group tasked with the Slovenian action plan. We are convinced that this year the Republic of Slovenia will adopt a document allowing efficient and full implementation of commitments undertaken in 2000.