Canada announces new women, peace and security agenda initiatives to mark 20th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

October 30, 2020 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada will introduce new initiatives to mark the 20th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.

The women, peace and security agenda is crucial to building a more inclusive, equal, peaceful and safer world. Canada remains committed to advancing this agenda, which is a cornerstone of its feminist foreign policy.

The equal and substantive participation of women peacebuilders is a matter of human rights. All people have the right to be represented by those who will defend their interests, the right to have a voice at the table when decisions are taken and the right to take part in determining their futures.

During today’s High-Level Event of the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network, Minister Champagne announced new investments of $9.9 million to support women peacebuilders globally, in addition to $5 million dedicated to grassroots women peacebuilders, for a total of $14.9 million. In addition, he announced the creation of an annual women, peace and security awards program to highlight excellence in research and civil society leadership. These investments will further advance women’s leadership in peace and security.

Canada will also hold a year-long global advocacy campaign through its network of diplomatic missions worldwide to recognize, support and protect the important work of women peacebuilders.

These initiatives further demonstrate Canada’s steadfast commitment to the women, peace and security agenda and will address key gaps in the agenda’s implementation, including those highlighted by civil society organizations. These new commitments underscore Canada’s essential commitment to gender equality as a foundation for peace.

Quotes

“Canada’s enduring commitment to the women, peace and security agenda is grounded in the conviction that these issues are essential to a more equal and peaceful world. Today, and in the months and years to come, we are taking concrete action to break down the barriers to the agenda’s implementation and accelerate progress. Two decades after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, women’s expertise in peace and security issues remains too often overlooked. The time to act is now, and Canada will continue to work closely with our international partners and civil society to ensure that these imperatives remain at the forefront of the global agenda.”

- François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

  • October 31, 2020 marks the 20th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the foundation of the women, peace and security agenda.

  • Women’s participation in peace and security decision making remains very low. On average, women constitute only 13% of negotiators, 6% of mediators and 6% of signatories to major peace agreements.

  • On November 1, 2017, Canada launched its second National Action Plan for the Implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security 2017–2022.

  • Canada appointed its first ambassador for women, peace and security in 2019 to help drive the implementation of its commitments.

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Contacts

Syrine Khoury
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Syrine.Khoury@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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