ROMANIA

Romania’s first and current WPS NAP is for the period 2014-2024.

Objectives of Romania’s 2014-2024 NAP:

The NAP has three overarching objectives:

1 Increase the number of women in military operations outside the national territory; 

2 Increase the involvement of women in decision-making processes;

3 Increase inter-ministerial cooperation with non-governmental organisations and civil society.

‍The NAP also includes an implementation matrix with the following five objectives:

1 Increase the number of women involved in the entire area of activities carried out at the Ministry of National Defence level;

2 Promote the importance of implementing UNSCR Resolution 1325 within the Ministry of National Defence;

3 Promote the importance of implementing UNSCR Resolution 1325 in the Ministry of National Defence in the Romanian media;

4 Promote the importance of implementing UNSCR Resolution 1325 in the Ministry of National Defence, in theatres of operations and in allied and/or host countries' mass media;

5 Evaluating and reporting on the implementation of UNSCR Resolution 1325 in the Ministry of National Defence.

Commentary:

Romania transitioned into a democratic regime in 1989 with the overthrow of the country’s communist government. In 2004, Romania officially became a member of NATO. The country does not have a recent history of large-scale conflict. However, ethnic clashes between the ethnic Hungarian population and Romanians often occur, such as the conflict of 1990, in the city of Târgu Mureș and other surrounding settlements in Transylvania.

Civil society involvement in development of the NAP:

NGOs are to be considered in the NAP design and implementation. However, there is no clear indication that this partnership applied during the drafting process, or what is the role of civil society in this context. 

UN Peacekeeping statistics:  

At September 2023 Romania contributed 49 personnel to UN peacekeeping missions, of which 16 were women.

Women in peacekeeping:

Romania is committed to increasing the participation of women in the defence and security sectors, especially in the military. Despite the lack of political will or experts, and low media coverage of the UNSCR 1325, this NAP represents a step forward towards combatting gender-based discrimination in the security sector. It considers the integration of a gender perspective in peace negotiation and mediation processes, in peacekeeping operations, and serves as a common framework within the national defence, justice and administrative institutions.

References and sources:

Romania’s WPS NAP (English translation): Romania-NAP-2014-2024-English-translation-DP160100212.pdf (wpsnaps.org)

United Nations Peacekeeping (Sept 2023) https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/troop-and-police-contributors 

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