MONTENEGRO
Update on the implementation is outlined in the Government brochure:
IMPLEMENTATION OF UNSCR 1325 – WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY AND ITS ACCOMPANYING RESOLUTIONS AT NATIONAL LEVEL brosura-mo-cg-eng-1.pdf
At a session held on 23 November 2023, the Government of Montenegro adopted the Strategy for the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 – Women, Peace and Security and its accompanying resolutions for the period 2024-2027, with an Action Plan for 2024-2025. This is the third strategic document that implements the objectives of UNSCR 1325 in Montenegro.
The main strategic objective is to improve the position of women and girls in all processes leading to the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. In order to meet the strategic goal, seven operational objectives have been defined, within which the Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategy for the period 2024-2025 envisages 32 activities. (not in English currently). strategija-implementacije-r-sbun-1325-zene-mir-i-bezbjednost-i-njoj-pratecih-rezolucija-za-period-2024-2027-sa-ap-za-2024-2025-godinu-1 (1).pdf
The Ministry of Defense of Montenegro Promotes Results in Implementing UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security
The Ministry of Defense of Montenegro (MoD) has published a promotional brochure on the implementation of UNSCR 1325, outlining its achievements through two of the National Action Plans (NAPs), and presenting the Gender Equality strategy for 2024-2027.
The MoD emphasized in the brochure that the two NAPs have achieved significant success in implementing three key pillars of UNSCR 1325, including increasing women's participation in decision-making and peace processes, protecting women and girls in conflict areas, and integrating a gender perspective and gender perspectives into military education in peacekeeping operations. This was achieved primarily thanks to the 33 activities aligned with the outcomes of the first NAP (2017-2018) and the 68 activities implemented within the second NAP (2019-2022).
In addition to many successful awareness-raising campaigns, the first NAP set the groundwork for tangible quantitative results, including an increase in the number of women participating in peacekeeping missions. During the implementation period of the first NAP, the number of gender equality training sessions also increased. The representation of women in the security sector continued its upward trend, most notably among women participating in international missions and operations, rising from 9 in 2018 to a total of 28 during the implementation of the second action plan (2019-2022).
A similar trend was observed in the representation of women in security sector institutions in Montenegro. In the Armed Forces (AF) of Montenegro, the percentage of women increased from 9.17% in 2017 to 14.9% in 2021, while the representation of women in the Police Directorate increased from 9.95% in 2017 to 12.53% in 2021.
The activities implemented during the second NAP built upon the success achieved and resulted in the adoption of internal guidelines, plans, and analyses aimed at improving gender equality policies. For example, as part of its efforts to effectively respond to gender-based discrimination, the MoD developed a Guide for the prevention of discrimination, sexual harassment, and abuse and distributed it to all units across the MoD and the AF of Montenegro. Other efforts include annual gender analysis to better inform MoD human resource management, such as the analysis on the average period spent in military ranks by gender, and the assessment of the existing gender training.
The MoD will distribute the brochure across the Ministry and AF to raise awareness among its staff. As the brochure is available in both Montenegrin and English, it will also be used to inform donors and other relevant stakeholders on the implementation of the UNSCR 1325 in Montenegro.
SEESAC has supported the design and printing of the brochure as part of its broader efforts to support regional MoDs in small-scale projects promoting gender equality in the security sector.
This activity is organised as part of the second phase of the SEESAC’s project Strengthening of Regional Cooperation on Gender Mainstreaming in Security Sector Reform in the Western Balkans, financed by the Governments of Norway and the Slovak Republic, which supports gender mainstreaming in the security sector reform, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security.
Previous NAP:
Montenegro adopted their second National Action Plan in 2019 for the 2019-2022 period.
Objectives/Aims of the 2019-2022 NAP:
The NAP’s defined commitments cover three key priorities:
- Increasing women’s participation in decision-making and peacekeeping processes;
- Protection of women and girls in conflict zones
- Gender mainstreaming and gender education in peace-keeping operations
Commentary:
This second NAP reflects on the country’s first NAP, acknowledging that 75% of the activities outlined were implemented. As a result of their first NAP, the number of women participating in peacekeeping missions and in senior positions in the security sector increased. However, the NAP recognises that there is a long way to go. It also highlights the problem of human trafficking, a specific issue for Montenegro as a common intermediary country.
This NAP addresses issues identified through a comprehensive plan with specific actionable items and a thorough monitoring and evaluation mechanism. It also aims to include women in both the domestic and international security sectors as active participants in the military, police, and judiciary, a positive step toward achieving the WPS agenda.
Civil Society engagement in the development of the NAP:
The introduction to the NAP acknowledges the involvement of non-governmental organisations in the implementation of the Plan, but provides no further details.
There is an Intersectoral Working Group for Development and Monitoring the implementation of the Programme from the Action Plan for the Implementation of UNSCR 1325. It is not clear if civil society is involved in this group.
UN Peacekeeping Statistics:
As of March 31, 2025, Montenegro has contributed 8 personnel for peacekeeping missions (of which only 2 are women).
Montenegro’s ranking as a contributor of personnel to UN peacekeeping missions: 98
Women in Peacekeeping:
As above, Montenegro is contributing more male peacekeepers than female peacekeepers.
It is notable that from 2010 to 2019, a total of nine women participated in international missions and operations. In 2020 alone, 7 women participated, and in 2023, 6. However, the decrease in women’s participation in 2025 raises concerns on the NAPs long term benefits.
References and Sources:
Montenegro National Action Plan 2019-2022: Montenegro-second-NAP.pdf (wpsfocalpointsnetwork.org)
Contribution of Uniformed Personnel to UN by Country and Personnel Type (as of 30/11/2023): 05-Missions Detailed By Country
Uniformed Personnel Contributing Countries by Ranking (as of 30/11/2023): 02-Contributions by Country (Ranking)
