NAP Development 

On 18 January 2018, the Government of the Republic of Croatia adopted the “Decision on the establishment of a Working Group for developing the NAP for Implementing Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on WPS and related Resolutions”. Croatia’s Second National Action Plan for Women, Peace, and Security (2019-2023) was developed by the Government of the Republic of Croatia in collaboration with this Working Group. Croatia’s second NAP, NAP II, mimics the structure of NAP I in its objective and measures in the areas of prevention, participation and protection, and post-conflict recovery; however it also identifies new priorities in strengthening implementation and monitoring. NAP II’s development considers new Security Council resolutions on women, peace, and security that address challenges such as climate, migration, and terrorism (p. 7). The Working Group, chaired by the assistant minister for Multilateral Global Issues, operates under the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. Croatia’s Working Group membership includes appointed representatives of sectoral bodies and the representatives of the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia and those of the Ombudsman for Gender Equality (p.7). The National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security does not explicitly mention civil society in its development, however, the NAP states that civil society groups and organizations were invited to collaborate with facilitators of relevant measures within different objectives (p. 12-18). During the consultation process, between December 2019 and January 2019, the NAP states that interested groups and stakeholders had the opportunity to express opinions and proposals.

NAP Implementation

The implementation and monitoring of NAP II was conducted by the Working Group, which will assemble as needed, at least once a year to review the annual report on implementation of NAP measures. The Working Group will submit, to the Croatian Government, a biannual report on the implementation of NAP measures and information on implementation will be provided upon request to relevant international organisations (p.20). 

At the national level, emphasis has been placed on strengthening interest and improving capacities of institutions involved as well as other stakeholders, including the wider Croatian public, so that a comprehensive gender-sensitive approach to security can be implemented (p.8). Special emphasis has been placed on measures pertaining to education and training, especially in areas of prevention (p.8). In regard to foreign policy, the Republic of Croatia will continue active engagement within the framework of the Group of Friends of UNSCR 1325 and encourage the implementation of gender-sensitive foreign, security, defense, and development policy in accordance with membership commitments from the EU and NATO (p.8).  

Implementation measures have been divided into the following categories:

• Prevention - measures will be implemented and aimed at strengthening gender perspectives through (i) documents, international activities and communicating with public and (ii) education and training programs. 
• Participation - (i) introducing gender balance in the activities of the security and defense sector and (ii) increase representation of women in decision-making activities and processes concerning peacebuilding and security (p. 8) 
• Protection and post-conflict recovery - (i) implement protection of women and girls’ rights - war victims in the Republic of Croatia with a view to their post-conflict recovery with the measures modified to a lesser extent. (p.8) 
• Two other objectives were focused on external action (ii) promotion of the protection of the rights of women and girls - victims of gender-based violence in the areas of armed conflict and (iii) orienting developmental cooperation towards protection and empowerment of women in accordance with the National Development Cooperation Strategy (2017-2021) (p.9) 

NAP Monitoring and Evaluation

The Working Group is tasked with analysing and evaluating the results of the implementation of NAP I measures and drafting the proposal of the new National Action Plan. The Working Group has two objectives regarding (i) the improvement of cooperation in implementing UNSRs on WPS and (ii) monitoring the implementation of UNSCRs. These objectives are strengthened through consistent monitoring measures and through regular reporting to the Government of the Republic of Croatia (p.9). A description of measures for implementation and monitoring are included in pages 18 -20 of the NAP. 

The NAP will be implemented for the period 2019-2023.

Croatia’s second National Action Plan contains a new chapter - Security Risk Management - which introduces two new objectives: (i) gender-sensitive approach in managing security risks of natural and technological disasters and terrorism and (ii) promoting protection of women and girl refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, with measures elaborated within each of the two objectives (p.9) 

• Implementation and monitoring contain two objectives: (i) improvement of cooperation in implementing UNSCRs on WPS and (ii) monitoring the implementation of UNSCRs. (p.9)
  • Both objectives are strengthened through additional measures, especially in relations to the local level of implementation and more consistent monitoring of measures within the framework of the Working Group, as well as regular reporting to the Government of the Republic of Croatia on the results (p.9) 

Prevention

• Objective 1: Strengthening the gender perspective through documents, participation in international activities and communication with the public (p.10) 
• Objective 2: Strengthening the gender perspective through education and training programmes (p.11) 

Participation

• Objective 1: Introduce gender balance into activities of the security and defense system 
• Objective 2: Increasing the representation of women in decision making activities and processes concerning security, defense, and peace building. 

Protection and Post-Conflict Recovery

• Objective 1: Implementation of the protection of the rights of women and girls - war victims in the Republic of Croatia with view to their post-conflict recovery 
• Objective 2: Promotion of the protection of the rights of women and girls - victims of GBV in conflicts. 
• Objective 3: Focusing developmental cooperation towards the protection and empowerment of women in accordance with the National Development Cooperation Strategy 2017-2021

Each objective within a theme contains a set of actions. For example, thematic area “Prevention” contains the following actions: 

• Regularly review relevant documents in accordance with UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions
• Integrate a gender perspective and gender equality principles into international activities in which the Republic of Croatia will participate
• Ensure proportional participation of women in all forms of education and training related to the implementation of Resolution 1325 and related resolutions 
• Carry out training on Resolution 1325 and related resolutions through appropriate activities (pre-deployment education/training) on all levels for deployment to international missions and operations, with focus on contents related to gender perspective, including civil protection and specific needs of women and children 
• Carry out trainings on Resolution 1325 and related resolutions as part of Diplomatic Academy programme and as part of preparations for a term of office in a diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Croatia 
• Perform an analysis of the education needs of judicial officials on elements of UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions in the area of human rights and international humanitarian law

Each action within an adjective has an indicator attached. For example, for thematic area “Prevention”, the following indicators are given: 

• Documents harmonised in accordance with UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions
• Information about relevant international activities 
• Communication strategy and implemented activities 
• The number of men and women who participate in the training programmes

Monitoring the implementation of UNSCR and related resolutions will be governed by the Working Group for the NAP with regular submissions to the appropriate domestic and international organisations (p. 19). The working group will submit a biannual report on the implementation of the NAP.

The Croatia NAP does not include an allocated or estimated budget. No indicators or actions are included that formulate strategies to increase funding, detail what level of funding is required for which specific activities or what accountability mechanisms will ensure funding is raised and spent while implementing the NAP. 

The Croatia National Action Plan does not address disarmament issues, or connect the proliferation of weapons with peace and security or the implementation of WPS resolutions.

Actors

NAP Development
Civil Society was not involved in the Interdepartmental Working Group during the National Action Plan's development nor was it involved with supervisory and coordination functions. However, civil society organizations were invited to provide submissions to the draft NAP and are included throughout the NAPs text as partners in implementation.

Most of the development was led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, with numerous ministries and government institutions' cooperation (see below).

NAP Implementation
The Croatian Women’s Network was established in 1999, and includes a broad range of women’s rights, feminist and anti-militarization organizations, many of which are involved in localizing various aspects of UNSCR 1325 and the related resolutions. Centar za Åenske studije (Center for Women's Studies) and Women in Black have been active in promoting UNSCR 1325 and the inclusion of feminist, anti-militarization approaches to its implementation.

Many Croatian ministries are tasked with implementing specific actions: Ministry of the Interior, Justice, Defense, Science, Education and Sport, Health and Social Security, Foreign Affairs and European Integration; Croatian Defense Register, Croatian Mine Action Centre, Family Affairs, Defenders and Intergenerational Solidarity, National Program of Psychological and Social Health Care for the Combatants and Victims in the Independence War, Judicial Academy, Government Office for Gender Equality, Office of the National Security Council, and the Human Rights Office of Croatian Government.

NAP Monitoring and Evaluation
There are no specific civil society organizations mentioned in the Monitoring and Evaluation process, but there is a vague mention of civil society involvement for the Objective, "Encourage experience exchange on the national level concerning the implementation of Resolution 1325 and related resolutions" when the NAP states that the government will "cooperate" with civil society organizations.

The NAP mentions the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and the Government Office for Gender Equality within the "Implementation and Monitoring" theme.

Timeframe

Croatia's NAP includes a Timeframe category, but does not specify beyond saying "permanently" for each action within each Objective.  The only mention of a specific date is in regard to the first action within Objective 1, thematic area "Prevention" - "Strengthening gender perspective through documents and participation in international activities for the implementation of resolution 1325 and related resolutions".  For this, they gave a timeframe:  "Last quarter of 2012". Updates on the NAP are available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

Objectives

The Croatian National Action Plan is organized by four thematic areas - Prevention, Participation, Protection and Post-Conflict Recovery, and Implementation and Monitoring - which are broken down into specific Objectives as follows:

• Objective 1: Strengthening gender perspective through documents and participation in international activities for the implementation of resolution 1325 and related resolutions.
• Objective 2: Integration of gender perspective in the education programs for the implementation of resolution 1325 and related resolutions.
• Objective 3: Introduce gender balance in the activities of the security system.
• Objective 4: Increasing the representation of women in decision-making activities and processes concerning security and peace building.
• Objective 5: Implementation of the program of international development assistance for education about gender equality and the role of women in the protection of their rights and in the post-conflict recovery.
• Objective 6: Promotion of the protection of the rights of women and girls – victims of gender-based violence in the areas of armed conflicts and after conflicts abroad.
• Objective 7: Implementation of the protection of the rights of women and girls – war victims in the Republic of Croatia with a view to their post-conflict recovery.
• Objective 8: Improvement of cooperation in the implementation of resolution 1325 and related resolutions.
• Objective 9: Supporting the implementation of resolution 1325 and related resolutions.

Actions/Activities

Each Objective within a theme contains a set of "Measures" (actions). For example, thematic area “Prevention” contains the following actions:

• Encourage the participation of women in all forms of education related to the implementation of resolution 1325 and related resolutions;
• Conduct through pre-deployment training, in cooperation with civil society organisations, the education about resolution 1325 and related resolutions on the following subjects: women in war and post-war situations, violence against women and children, specific needs of local women;
• Conduct through pre-deployment training, in cooperation with civil society organisations, the education about resolution 1325 and related resolutions on human rights and international humanitarian law, including: gender-based violence, sexual violence, trafficking in human beings;
• Conduct education about resolution 1325 and related resolutions within the framework of the Diplomatic Academy of the MFAEI and within the framework of the preparations to be posted abroad in the diplomatic and consular network of the Republic of Croatia;
• Conduct education of judicial staff with a view to raising awareness of women victims of armed conflicts and the importance of the implementation of resolution 1325 and related resolutions in the operation of judicial bodies;
• Conduct education of professional staff at health care establishments about resolution 1325 and related resolutions;
• Continue education to raise awareness of heads of international peace-keeping operations of the need to protect the security of women and girls and children and their human rights;
• Introduce education about elements of resolution 1325 and related resolutions into the curriculum of civil education at schools.

Indicators

Each action within an Objective has an indicator attached.  For example, for thematic area "Protection and Post-Conflict Recovery", the following indicators are given:

• Number of reported cases of gender-based violence
• Number of conducted education courses for staff members of peace-keeping operations
• Number of reported cases of gender-based violence
• Number of proceedings conducted and sanctions passed
• Number of women and girls included in the analysis
• Number of analyses conducted
• Number of women and girls killed by mines and cluster ammunition
• Number of conferences, round tables conducted to raise awareness
• Number of implemented programs of psychological and social rehabilitation
• Number of program participants
• Number of programs implemented in the social and development policies
• Number of victims included in programs

Monitoring and Evaluation

The Interdepartmental Working Group established to develop the Croatian National Action will have an ongoing role in monitoring and evaluating its implementation. There is a monitoring and evaluation matrix included within the NAP, with each activity linked to a responsible actor, indicator and time-frame. All indicators are ququantitative only and most time-frames are 'permanently'. There is no provision for a formal ongoing role for Civil Society, although many of the NAP’s activities are to be implementation ‘in cooperation with Civil Society’. 

The Working Group is required to meet annually and prepare annual progress reports to be provided to the Human Rights Commission of the Government of the Republic of Croatia. It is not stated if these reports will be made publicly available.

Budget

The Croatian NAP does not include an allocated or estimated budget. No indicators or actions are included that formulate strategies to increase funding, detail what level of funding is required for which specific activities, or what accountability mechanisms will ensure funding is raised and spent while implementing the NAP.

Disarmament

The Croatian National Action Plan does not address disarmament issues, or connect the proliferation of weapons with women’s insecurity. The presence of unexploded ordinances is addressed in ‘Protection and Post Conflict Recovery’, with the inclusion of one measure as follows:

"Systematically point to the risk of land mines, cluster bombs and other explosive remnants of war because of their unacceptable effect, in humanitarian terms, on the civilian population, particularly on women and children."  The facilitator for such a measure is the Croatian Mine Action Centre.