GUATEMALA
Guatemala’s first NAP covered the period 2017-2020. There does not appear to be a further NAP in progress.
Objectives of the 2017-2020 NAP:
The NAP comprises five pillars, each with a key objective:
Pillar 1: Empowerment and participation of women
Objective: Achieve parity in the representation of women and men in the decision making of national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms, at all levels and areas.
Pillar 2: Training and development of women
Objective: Develop and implement training strategies for compliance with Resolution 1325 of the United Nations Security Council and Related Resolutions related to Women, Peace and Security, in a sustainable manner.
Pillar 3: Respect for women's human rights
Objective: Adopt measures that guarantee the protection, progress and respect of the human rights of women for the prevention, care, punishment and eradication of all forms of discrimination and violence against women, including sexual violence.
Pillar 4: Women's leadership for peacebuilding
Objective: Strengthen leadership and promote the equal participation of women in negotiation, conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes.
Pillar 5: Dignified and transformational reparation of human rights violations for women in conflict and post-conflict situations.
Objective: Facilitate the leadership, participation and benefits of women from actions of dignified and transformative reparation in order to contribute to the eradication of impunity.
Context commentary:
Guatemala’s NAP responds to the legacies of the country’s 36-year internal armed conflict (1960–1996), during which tens of thousands of women, particularly Indigenous women, experienced sexual violence and systematic marginalization. The NAP addresses these historical injustices through a lens of reparations, participation, and structural transformation in national peacebuilding efforts.
Civil society involvement:
The NAP was developed through a consultative process involving key civil society organizations. It was coordinated by the Inter-Institutional Roundtable on Women, Peace, and Security (MIMPAZ) and shaped by contributions from the Mesoamerican Alliance of Women for Peace and organizations such as CONAVIGUA (Coordinadora Nacional de Viudas de Guatemala), representing Indigenous and war-affected women.
UN Peacekeeping contributions:
Guatemala contributed 177 peacekeepers as of 2023, including 20 women. In September 2024, Guatemala also committed 150 military police officers to a multinational peace and security support mission in Haiti, in response to UN and regional appeals for intervention.
Commentary:
Guatemala’s NAP closely aligns with SecurityWomen’s mission by integrating women's leadership, empowerment, and protection into all pillars of peacebuilding. The emphasis on transitional justice, survivor-centered reparations, and structural reform directly reflects the need for sustainable peace through gender equality.
References:
- National Action Plan for the Implementation of Resolution 1325 of the United Nations Security Council and Related Resolutions on Women, Peace, and Security (2017–2029):WPS Focal Points Network
- Contribution of Uniformed Personnel to UN by Country, Mission, and Personnel Type (May 2023): 05-Missions Detailed By Country
- Guatemala peacekeepers in Haiti: https://apnews.com/article/ea40bb9f7b488f27ff5e26fbfaaf2969
