Women, Peace and Security Agenda
This programme is organised by Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF).
WILPF believes there are particular gendered dimensions to violence that have a disproportionate and differing impact on women. Although women are often active agents in peace and reconciliation efforts at all levels, women and gender analysis are regularly excluded from peace-making processes and decisions.
WILPF believes that the exclusion of women, women’s rights and gender remains a key impediment to the attainment of sustainable peace and human security, and must not be ignored, and created the Women, Peace and Security Agenda to ensure their voice is heard.
The UK government has created the National Plan on Women, Peace & Security to implements its commitments under UN Security Council Resolution 1325 to reduce the impact of conflict on women and girls and to promote their inclusion in conflict resolution.
This has been criticised by some groups, including WILPF whose comments include the following:
The updated NAP strengthens opportunities for local women civil society to initiate partnerships that address local needs in the UK’s efforts to build security and stability abroad. However, gaps remain in other key areas. Although domestic strategies such as on ending violence against women and immigration are recognised as complementary, the focus remains externally focused. This means the impact of gendered violence within the country, from immigration to the status of women in Northern Ireland, remain unaddressed.
More Information
UK National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace & Security 2018 – 2022 (pdf)