Australia delivers on Women, Peace and Security Agenda

  • Joint media release

TheTurnbull Government continues to further its commitment to improving the livesof women both nationally and internationally.

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

Supportingthe Turnbull Government's broader Women, Peace and Security agenda, the reportoutlines the activities Australia has undertaken in 2017 to improve the livesof women in conflict and post-conflict settings.

Keyachievements outlined in the report include:

  • 100 per cent ofAustralian Defence Force personnel deployed overseas are now trained in theWomen, Peace and Security agenda, compared to a baseline of 53 per cent in2012.
  • The AustralianFederal Police continues to collaborate with partners, local NGOs and civilsociety to strengthen partner police response to gender based violence in thePacific.
  • The Department ofForeign Affairs and Trade is expanding the reach of the Women, Peace andSecurity agenda through its advocacy in multilateral and regional forums, suchas the UN and ASEAN, and through its participation in dedicated dialogues suchas the National Focal Points Network on Women, Peace and Security.
  • Australia's officialdevelopment assistance to global efforts, such as the Women, Peace andHumanitarian Fund, provides tangible support for strengthening theparticipation and contribution of women in maintaining, securing and sustainingpeace.
  • Talisman Sabre,the principal Australian and United States military exercise now includesWomen, Peace and Security training scenarios and objectives.
  • The AustralianCivil-Military Centre is building strong partnerships with civil society andincreasing the capacity of Australian's deployed overseas to implement theWomen, Peace and Security agenda.

The Turnbull Government recognises that womencan be powerful agents for changecommitment and this is demonstrated in Australia's foreign policy and aidprogram.

Duringour two-year term on the UN Security Council in 2013-2014, Australia brought anunprecedented level of attention to improving women's participation in conflictprevention and peacebuilding. Australia continues to be leaders in promotingthe Women, Peace and Security agenda as an integral part of the internationalrules-based order.

Australia'sfirst National Action Plan articulates a whole of government commitmentto protect women's human rights in fragile, conflict and post-conflictsettings. We committed to working together to end impunity for perpetrators ofsexual and gender-based violence and ensure women can contribute theirexperiences and leadership to realise durable peace.

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

Asecond National Action Plan is currently being developed for release inmid-2019. Consultations with stakeholders are underway and members of thecommunity are encouraged to provide input on the OFWEngagesite.

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