FINLAND

Finland first launched its first National Action Plan in 2008, second in 2012 and third in 2018.

In March 2023 Finland issued its fourth NAP for the period 2023-2027, which is now available in English at Women, Peace and Security : Finland’s National Action Plan 2023−2027 (valtioneuvosto.fi) (NB pages 5 & 6 of the translation - document abstracts - are not in English )

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Objectives/Aims of Finland's NAP:

1 Meaningful participation of women in all their diversity is strengthened in conflict prevention and peacebuilding

2 Leadership and meaningful participation of women in all their diversity as well gender mainstreaming are strengthened in peace processes and peace mediation

3 Integration of gender perspective and meaningful participation of women in all their diversity is strengthened in the security sector, crisis management and preparedness work.

4 The safety and rights of women and girls are better safeguarded and their diverse needs are better met during crises

5 The implementation of the WPS agenda is strengthened and context sensitivity is increased in national and international activities

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Commentary:

Finland's NAP is a comprehensive approach to the WPS agenda, setting out principles on which the NAP is based, and evaluations of previous NAPS that have informed this NAP. Particularly useful is a diagrammatic overview of the NAP on page 28.  The NAP includes an implementation plan which will be monitored on a regular basis and a report will be published every year on progress towards the objectives.

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Civil society involvement in developing the 2023-2027 NAP:

This fourth NAP was prepared in close collaboration with different branches of government and civil society.  Whilst government ministries and departments will be the principal agencies responsible for implementation, a wide range of civil society organisations and research institutions will be partners with government in the NAP’s implementation and monitoring.

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‍UN Peacekeeping Statistics:

Finland first contributed peacekeepers to the United Nations when it deployed troops to the Suez Canal in 1956 and has continued to provide uniformed personnel since.  

As of May 31, 2023, Finland was contributing 195 personnel to the UN for various missions, in the following ranks:

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Women’s role in peacekeeping:

The above table shows Finland had few female personnel on UN peacekeeping missions, but it is hoped this will improve with implementation of the new NAP.

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References and sources:

Statement from Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, dated 13 March 2023:  Finland issues its fourth National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (valtioneuvosto.fi)

Finland’s fourth NAP for 2023-2027 is available in Finnish at: Naiset, rauha ja turvallisuus : Suomen kansallinen toimintaohjelma 2023−2027 - Valto (valtioneuvosto.fi)

and in English at: Women, Peace and Security : Finland’s National Action Plan 2023−2027 (valtioneuvosto.fi)

United Nations Peacekeeping. (May 2023): Troop and police contributors | United Nations Peacekeeping ‌

Contribution of Uniformed Personnel to UN by Country, Mission, and Personnel Type (May 2023): 05-Missions Detailed By Country

Uniformed Personnel Contributing Countries by Ranking Experts on Mission, Formed Police Units, Individual Police, Staff Officer, and Troops As of: 30/04/2023: 02-Contributions by Country (Ranking)‍