Guinea-Bissau adopted its first National Action Plan (NAP) in 2010 for the period 2010-2011. The NAP was developed by the Comite de Pilotagem Nactional (IMC), in consultation with civil society organizations, including women’s organizations. The NAP identifies four overarching goals: prevention; participation; protection; help and community relocation; and monitoring and evaluation. The NAP particularly highlights increasing women’s participation in peace processes and decision-making venues. While the NAP identifies a steering committee for the identified actions, it lacks indicators as well as a monitoring and evaluation framework. The NAP does not have an allocated budget.
Guinea-Bissau gained independence in 1974 from Portugal, following an eleven-year war of independence that began in 1963. Guinea-Bissau has experienced long-term political instability since its independence, including a civil war from 1998 until 1999. The most recent political instability that took place in the country was the 2012 military coup, which led to the intervention of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to devise a six-point roadmap for peace that resulted in the signing of the Conakry Accord in 2016. Women have been pivotal to peacebuilding efforts in the country, in particular through the creation of the Group of Women Facilitators in 2017. In addition to mediating meetings between leaders, the Group works towards increasing women’s meaningful participation in politics as well as ensuring gender-sensitive policy making.