Objectives:

1. Encouraging the participation of women in the processes of promotion and maintenance of peace and security:

- Ensuring women’s participation in international missions;

- Promoting an increase in the number of women in international bodies that support the promotion of peace and security;

- Eliminating the constraints to women’s participation in international missions, including in settings of conflict, post-conflict, peace and security maintenance and     humanitarian aid.

2. Ensuring training for the people involved in processes for the promotion and maintenance of peace and security:

- Intensifying training for military, security, and civilian personnel;

- Improving the knowledge about the issues regarding women, peace and security through intensive and consolidated training at all levels; 

- Raising awareness about the provisions of humanitarian law and human rights law that protect women, young women and girls against all forms of violence;

- Contributing to the prevention and punishment of violence committed against women, young women and girls.

3. Promoting the goals of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) in the external action of Portugal:

- Promoting and reinforcing the role of the Portuguese State in the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in its external actions; 

- Strengthening the coordination and the cooperation with all stakeholders, namely partner States, civil society and international organisations.

4. Deepening and dissemination of knowledge about the "women, peace and security" theme, and raising awareness among decision-making stakeholders and the community:

- Promoting dissemination mechanisms for this action plan, at the national and international levels; 

- Raising awareness among the general public about the goals set out in this plan.

5. Promoting the participation of the civil society in the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security:

- Promoting the implementation of UNSCRs on women, peace and security through the collaboration with the local, national and/or international civil society     organisations associated with this process.

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Commentary:

Portugal’s NAP is heavily focused on increasing participation and raising gender awareness via training. Although it lacks specifics about budgeting and resource allocation, the plan includes specific measurable goals for each of its five objectives. The plan has what appears to be institutional support within the Portuguese government for its realization, and has a strong internationalist focus on participating in the UN and other international organizations' efforts to promote peace and security.

Civil Society:

LSE’s WPS Centre ranks Portugal’s consultation with Civil Society at only 2/5, citing the lack of civil society engagement in the government-led process that resulted in this plan. However, there was an external review of the plan and recommendations “were taken into consideration” before the final document was published. The fifth strategic aim also targets increasing civil society participation in the implementation of the WPS agenda, a promising step.

Peacekeeping Statistics:

Police: 11 out of 180

Staff Officers: 0 out of 10

Experts on Mission: 2 out of 3

Troops: 3 out of 26

References:

https://www.wpsnaps.org/app/uploads/2019/09/Portugal-NAP-2-2014-2018.pdf

https://www.wpsnaps.org/nap/portuguese-national-action-plan-ii/

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