January: Launch of Ireland’s Second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security

In January 2015, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan T.D. launched Ireland’s Second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, which will run from 2015 to 2018.

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. Six further United Nations Security Council resolutions on related themes have since been adopted.

Developed following an extensive public consultation process, Ireland’s Second National Action Plan in this area renews the Government’s commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda of the United Nations Security Council. It also sets out how Ireland will continue to promote and implement the objectives of the agenda in programme activities, diplomatic advocacy and policy-making by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána, the Health Services Executive, and Tusla (the Child and Family agency). The Action Plan’s inclusion of both domestic and overseas actions, as well as the high level of involvement of civil society in its development and ongoing monitoring, have been recognised internationally as good practice.

Implementation of the Action Plan is being taken forward under the supervision of an Oversight Group which is responsible for ongoing monitoring and promotion of the Women, Peace and Security agenda byIreland. The Group’s independent Chair is former Minister for Justice Ms. Nora Owen, and the membership is equally balanced between academic, civil society and independent experts, and representatives of the statutory implementing bodies.

More information about Ireland’s Second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security is available at: https://www.dfa.ie/media/dfa/alldfawebsitemedia/ourrolesandpolicies/ourwork/empoweringwomen-peaceandsecurity/Irelands-second-National-Action-Plan-on-Women-Peace-and-Security.pdf