Djibouti
Djibouti adopted a National Action Plan in 2017 to cover the period 2018-2020. The 2018-2020 NAP is only available in French. A second NAP is supposed to run from 2025 to 2030, with consultations still taking place in December 2024. However, no document has yet been released.
Objectives of the 2018-2020 NAP
The 2018-2020 NAP comprises three strategic objectives, listed below, each of which is supported by several sub-objectives:
- Increase women’s participation in all levels of decision making, in national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms, for the prevention, management, and settlement of conflicts;
- Prevention of violence against women and girls, in particular sexual gender-based violence, sexual abuse and exploitation;
- Protection and assistance for women and girls who are victims of sexual violence.
Commentary:
Despite identifying itself as an island of stability and peace in an otherwise conflict-prone region, Djibouti recognises this does not exonerate it of commitments to WPS. It highlights four national areas of concern that deserve attention: sexual violence against women at national level, sexual violence against refugee women, women involved in pastoral conflicts, and issues of sexual violence within security forces.
The NAP includes a matrix setting out agencies’ responsibilities for implementation and a budget for listed activities.
Civil Society involvement in development of the NAP:
The Action Plan was developed in collaboration with key institutions and organisations related to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
Implementation is to be overseen by a Steering Committee made up of representatives from Government Departments, security and defence forces, non-governmental organisations and feminist associations, amongst others.
NGOs and Feminist Associations have been deemed key stakeholders throughout design, development, implementation and monitoring and evaluation processes.
UN Peacekeeping statistics:
As of September 2024, Djibouti contributed 242 peacekeepers to UN missions. These were all international police personnel, out of which were 39 women (no indication of rank).
Women in peacekeeping:
Djibouti’s NAP demonstrates a commitment to increasing the participation of women in international peacekeeping. It includes a specific objective on this, with indicators to track progress. It also outlines a commitment to increase training to security and defence forces on issues related to Women, Peace and Security.
In May 2022 Djibouti co-hosted a WPS event with the US leadership of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa to initiate an update to Djibouti’s WPS 2018-2020 NAP.
References and sources:
Djibouti’s 2018-2020 National Action Plan is available in French at:
United Nations Peacekeeping. (2024). Troop and police contributors | United Nations Peacekeeping (as of 30 September 2024): https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/02_country_ranking_78_september_2024.pdf
