Tánaiste launches Ireland’s National Action Plan on women, peace and security

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Eamon Gilmore T.D., and former President, Mary Robinson, today announced the launch of Ireland’s National Action Plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 relating to women, peace and security.

The Plan sets out how Ireland will promote the objectives of Resolution 1325, which calls for an increase in the participation of women in peace processes, the protection of women and girls in armed conflict, and recognition of the link between conflict and gender-based violence.  The Plan has been drawn up following extensive consultations with women’s groups, Government Departments and academia, carried out by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Speaking at the launch, the Tánaiste said:

“For too long, the rights of women and girls affected by conflict have been ignored by the international community. Today, I commit Ireland to championing the cause of these women and I will ensure that their voices are heard”.

The National Action Plan was launched during the Annual Seminar of the Irish Joint Consortium on Gender Based Violence.  The Consortium comprises Irish human rights, humanitarian and development organisations, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Defence Forces, all working together to address gender based violence.

Ireland joins an increasing number of countries choosing to launch national plans in relation to implementation of Resolution 1325, including the UK, Norway and the Netherlands.  

Note for Editors:
UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325), adopted in October 2000, emphasises the distinct position of women in conflict situations and the need for their inclusion in peace-building and mediation activities.  In the lead up to the tenth anniversary of the Resolution in 2010, many countries, including Ireland, undertook to develop National Action Plans detailing how UNSCR 1325 would be implemented. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has taken the lead in relation to the preparation of a draft National Action Plan for Ireland;   implementation of the Plan will, of course, be a matter for a number of Government Departments, An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces.    In order to ensure wide consultation on the content of the Plan, a Consultative Group was established in February 2010 comprised of civil society organisations, academia, relevant government departments, An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. 

The Plan is based on five ‘pillars’: 
i) Prevention of Conflict, including Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
ii) Participation and Representation of Women in Decision Making
iii) Protection from Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and other Violations of Women’s Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law
iv) Relief, recovery and rehabilitation
v) Promotion by the Irish Government of steps to implement UNSCR 1325