Australia delivers on Women, Peace and Security Agenda

Joint media release

Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Hon Julie Bishop MP
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne
Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, Minister For Women, The Hon Kelly O’dwyer

The Turnbull Government continues to further its commitment to improving the lives of women both nationally and internationally.

Minister for Women, Kelly O’Dwyer, today presented the United Nations Progress Report of the Australian National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2012-2018 (National Action Plan) to Parliament.

Supporting the Turnbull Government’s broader Women, Peace and Security agenda, the report outlines the activities Australia has undertaken in 2017 to improve the lives of women in conflict and post-conflict settings.

Key achievements outlined in the report include:
 

• 100 per cent of Australian Defence Force personnel deployed overseas are now trained in the Women, Peace and Security agenda, compared to a baseline of 53 per cent in 2012.
• The Australian Federal Police continues to collaborate with partners, local NGOs and civil society to strengthen partner police response to gender based violence in the Pacific.
• The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is expanding the reach of the Women, Peace and Security agenda through its advocacy in multilateral and regional forums, such as the UN and ASEAN, and through its participation in dedicated dialogues such as the National Focal Points Network on Women, Peace and Security.
•  Australia’s official development assistance to global efforts, such as the Women, Peace and Humanitarian Fund, provides tangible support for strengthening the participation and contribution of women in maintaining, securing and sustaining peace.
• Talisman Sabre, the principal Australian and United States military exercise now includes Women, Peace and Security training scenarios and objectives.
• The Australian Civil-Military Centre is building strong partnerships with civil society and increasing the capacity of Australian’s deployed overseas to implement the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

The Turnbull Government recognises that women can be powerful agents for change commitment and this is demonstrated in Australia’s foreign policy and aid program. 

During our two-year term on the UN Security Council in 2013-2014, Australia brought an unprecedented level of attention to improving women’s participation in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Australia continues to be leaders in promoting the Women, Peace and Security agenda as an integral part of the international rules-based order.

Australia’s first National Action Plan articulates a whole of government commitment to protect women’s human rights in fragile, conflict and post-conflict settings. We committed to working together to end impunity for perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence and ensure women can contribute their experiences and leadership to realise durable peace.

The Progress Report of the Australian National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2012-2018 (National Action Plan) is available on the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

A second National Action Plan is currently being developed for release in mid-2019. Consultations with stakeholders are underway and members of the community are encouraged to provide input on the OFWEngage site.