Parallel Worlds: the Theory and Practice of ‘Ownership’ in Women, Peace and Security

National action plans (NAPs) of the Women, Peace and Security agenda are considered central for localisation, coordination, goal setting, and accountability. This article examines NAP processes in Kenya and Ethiopia showing that regardless of the ongoing localisation efforts, the institutional set-up, top-down and bureaucratic processes, and funding challenges give rise to parallel structures between policy and practice. Theoretically, the article argues for distinguishing between localisation and local ownership, with the first referring to the process and the latter to the aim. It concludes that bridging the global policy frameworks with locally-led practices requires the broad participation of diverse local governance and non-state actors.