GABON
Gabon’s first and the most recent NAP was released in 2020, covering the period 2020-2023.
Objectives of the 2020-2023 NAP:
1 Ensure the prevention, management and transformation of conflicts at the national and sub-regional levels and the integration of gender issues in all conflict prevention activities and strategies, the creation of mechanisms and institutions taking into account the needs of women and re-doubling efforts to prevent violence against women, including various forms of sexual violence.
2 Ensure the protection and defence of the human rights of women and girls, take into account issues related to gender equality, increase efforts in the areas of protection, physical and mental health, well-being and dignity of women and girls, and ensure that their rights are respected, and gender mainstreaming in legal and institutional reforms.
3 3a) Promote and support women's active and meaningful participation in all peace processes and their equal representation in formal and informal decision-making bodies and peace-building mechanisms at national, sub-regional, regional and international levels.
3b) Improve partnership and networking with women's rights associations and organisations at local, national, sub-regional and international level and support the appointment of women to key positions in the military and civilian components of the defence and law enforcement forces.
4 Promote the concept of gender and climate by involving women and girls and strengthening their resilience and capacity to adapt to climate hazards, risks and natural disasters and environmental management.
5 Strengthen women's economic security efforts, increase production potential and considerably boost the country's economic and social development opportunities and the emancipation of women through their empowerment and economic inclusion.
6 Ensure coordination, promotion of ownership and implementation of the UNSCR 1325, mobilisation of resources, establishment of sustainable strategic partnerships and monitoring and evaluation of the NAP and associated programmes and projects.
Commentary:
Gabon has no recent history of armed conflict, but in the past its troops participated extensively in international operations. However, in 2021, around 450 Gabonese peacekeepers were withdrawn from the MINUSCA mission after some of them were allegedly involved in sexual abuse.
The NAP includes matrices detailing which agencies are responsible for the activities listed under each objective, together with a budget for their implementation.
Civil Society involvement in development of the NAP:
Civil society organisations participated in the creation of this NAP, and they are referred to in the matrices and at para 5.7 (p23 of English translation): “Given the essential role of CSOs, a continuous dialogue will be maintained within the framework of exchanges and learning called Community of Practice”. There is also an indicator for engagement with civil society in the M&E section of the NAP.
UN Peacekeeping Statistics:
As of May 2023, Gabon contributed just 1 male staff officer to UN peacekeeping missions.
Women in Peacekeeping:
While Gabon’s NAP is broadly focused on improving women’s position in general, the role of women in peace processes is emphasised. In this regard, one of the explicit aims is to increase the recruitment of women into the armed forces and, by extension, their participation in international peacekeeping operations.
References and sources:
Gabon National Action Plan. (2020) - unofficial translation of the NAP into English
Reuters, 16 Sept 2021: UN removes Gabon peacekeepers from Central African Republic after sex abuse allegations | Reuters
Contribution of Uniformed Personnel to UN by Country, Mission, and Personnel Type (May 2023): 05-Missions Detailed By Country
