Tánaiste launches Ireland’s third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security
Press release
21 June 2019
Tánaiste launches Ireland’s third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., Minister of State with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe T.D., Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, DSM, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, and Salome Mbugua, Independent Chair of the Working Group for the Development of the National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security launched Ireland’s third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in University College Cork today, where they were joined by members of civil society, academia and women from conflict affected areas living in Ireland.
The Plan, which will run from 2019 to 2024, renews the Government’s commitment to what is known as the Women, Peace and Security agenda of the United Nations, which covers the distinct adverse effect of conflict on women and girls, and the importance of women’s participation in decision-making in conflict and post-conflict situations.
The National Action Plan sets out how Ireland will continue and enhance its implementation of the WPS agenda and includes commitments to strengthening women’s meaningful participation in peace processes, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, and conflict prevention; addressing root causes of conflict, strengthening protection of women and girls from conflict related harm, and promoting a gender perspective and expertise in peace and security.
Speaking at the launch, the Tánaiste said:
“Ireland is committed to putting women and girls at the heart of our work to prevent and resolve conflict. Ensuring that peace is forged on the basis of rights, equality and inclusion is an expression of Ireland’s values and our interests.
Driven by both conviction and experience, Ireland as a champion on Women Peace and Security is determined to raise its voice and to focus on implementation of this transformative agenda from grassroots to global institutions. This desire to collaborate and share our experience is also reflected in Ireland’s candidature for an elected seat on the UN Security Council. Ireland’s International Development Policy ‘A Better World’ commits Ireland to intensify work on Women, Peace and Security and Gender Based Violence. The launch of the Plan today is a first and vital step in fulfilling this commitment.”
ENDS
Press Office
21 June 2019
Notes for editors:
- United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace and Security was adopted in October 2000. It was a landmark resolution which highlighted the distinct negative impact of conflict on women and girls, and the importance of women’s participation in leadership and decision-making in conflict and post-conflict situations. Eight subsequent United Nations Security Council related resolutions have been adopted, these are collectively known as the Women, Peace and Security Agenda of the United Nations Security Council.
- This Plan has been developed by an extensive consultation and drafting process, led by the Conflict Resolution Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and overseen by an independently chaired Working Group comprised of an equal balance of relevant public servants, and civil society and academic representatives.
- The Consultation process included extensive engagement with relevant Government Departments and agencies, input from the Consultative Group, a written public consultation (to which 49 submissions were received) and three Consultative Workshops, two in Cork and one in Dublin with over 200 statutory, civil society and academic participants.
- This NAP outlines Ireland’s commitments and planned actions to implement the WPS resolutions including actions by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Defence, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána, and the Health Services Executive.
- New features which frame the plan include:
- Increasing our funding for WPS;
- Placing Women and gendered perspectives at the centre of our multilateral diplomacy including in the context of Ireland’s candidature to, and prospective membership of, the UN Security Council for the 2021-2022 term;
- Taking a comprehensive approach to conflict prevention incorporating gendered analysis and perspectives;
- Enhanced advocacy and communication on WPS, including through lesson sharing and focus contexts (for example Liberia, Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, South Africa, the European Union and the African Union);
- Increasing the robustness of monitoring and evaluation (including through the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW);
- Strengthening the domestic dimension of the NAP (in relation to migrant women living in Ireland from conflict affected settings and Northern Ireland);
- Challenging discriminatory gender norms and enhancing the engagement of men and boys in supporting the agenda;
- Prioritising the inclusion of women and their perspectives in disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation discussions; and,
- Amplifying the voices of young people.
