Belgium

Belgium is currently on its fourth NAP, launched in 2022 for 2022-2026. Their first NAP was published in 2009, with their second in 2013 and third in 2017. However, a copy is not yet available and therefore the objectives below are from the previous NAP.

Objectives/ Aims:
• Promote the implementation of the international normative framework;
• Integrate a gender dimension into Belgian actions in conflict, peace and security;
• Fight against all forms of violence against women and girls, and more specifically sexual violence;
• Promote women's participation in processes concerning conflict, peace and security;
• Support the Women, Peace and Security Agenda;
• Assure that the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and the NAP are followed and monitored.

Commentary:
The Belgian NAP is structured into chapters by objectives which is uncommon. The chapters contain background information, guidelines and a list of actions with subsequent indicators. It is laid out by national, regional and international normative and legal frameworks. The Belgian government is involved in diverse military intervention against ISIS/Daesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Mali. Belgium is taking action and contributes to UN peacekeeping missions, NATO forces, and has an input into aid and humanitarian assistance.

Civil Society:
The implementation of the third NAP has required the approval of external actors including civil society (FPS Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation), and local women’s organisations in order to identify what is needed to be prioritized throughout the third NAP. There is one goal that Belgium want to prioritise - informing and involving civil society by ensuring the exchange of information; that gender expertise is available in Belgium; and that consultations with civil society take place at least twice during the period covered by the NAP.

Women in peacekeeping:
As described in Belgian third NAP, the objectives are in line with the previous plans. With this NAP, the participation of women in prevention and resolution of conflicts will be improved and the protection of women and girls before, during and after conflicts will be reinforced.

UN Peacekeeping statistics:‍‍

As of September 2021, Belgium had 55 peacekeepers deployed worldwide, 3 of which were women.

‍‍Sources:
Belgian Third NAP (2017-2021)
UN Peacekeeping (2017)
Peace Women (n.d)

References:
Royaume de Belgique (2017), Troisième Plan d’Action ‘Femmes, Paix, Sécurité’(2017-2021), Available at: http://igvm-iefh.belgium.be/sites/default/files/105_-_troisieme_pan_femmes_paix_securite.pdf

UN Peacekeeping (2017). Summary of Contributions to UN Peacekeeping by Country and Post. [online] Peacekeeping.un.org. Available at: http://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/summary_of_contributions_to_un_peacekeeping_by_country_and_post.pdf [Accessed 9 March. 2018].

PeaceWomen (n.d.). National Action Plan: Belgium. [online] Peacewomen.org. Available at: http://peacewomen.org/nap-belgium [Accessed 8 March 2018].