European Union Council conclusions on women, peace and security
Council of the EU Press release 14 November 2022 10:30
Council conclusions on women, peace and security
Gender equality and human rights are at the core of universal values and constitute stand-alone priorities mainstreamed across all European Union policies. The Council recalls its Conclusions on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) of 10 December 2018, reaffirms the validity of the EU Strategic Approach to WPS, and commits to the full implementation of the EU’s Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2019-2024. There is a need to address new issues and challenges which have arisen. The full implementation of the WPS agenda commitments is as relevant as ever in the current geopolitical context and changing security environment at the heart of peace and security, as established by resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions.
The Council supports the UN Secretary General’s proposal in his Our Common Agenda report of a New Agenda for Peace which would include building on the existing WPS agenda in order to place women and gender equality at the heart of peace and security.
The Council underlines the political importance of the WPS agenda and welcomes its incorporation into different EU policies and action plans since the adoption of the 2018 Council Conclusions. In this regard, the European Commission has adopted an EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 and an EU Gender Action Plan (GAP) III “An Ambitious Agenda for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in EU External Action” 2021-2025, welcomed through Presidency Conclusions of 16 December 2020. The Council invites the High Representative and the Commission to report on actions taken and lessons learned in implementing the WPS commitments into reporting regarding the different policies and action plans and will draw operational conclusions to accelerate action in this regard.
The Council is concerned about the disproportionate effect that armed conflicts continue to have on women and girls worldwide, as well as the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence including conflict-related sexual violence, offline and online. The Council will enhance its efforts to prevent and counter sexual and gender-based violence in order to ensure full accountability and to combat impunity, and will encourage all stakeholders to join this collective endeavour. The Council underlines that the EU will apply a coordinated approach to risk mitigation and prevention of all forms of sexual and gender-based violence, and will ensure that responses are victim- and survivor-centered and trauma-sensitive, including by access to sexual and reproductive health care services, as well as mental health and psychological support. The Council reiterates its steadfast commitment to uphold international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and to end impunity for international crimes, not least when rape is used as a weapon of war.
. . . . .
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/11/14/council-conclusions-on-women-peace-and-security/