At the OSCE FSC Security Dialogue, Ambassador Neil
Holland speaks about the importance of Women, Peace and Security
Agenda in the context of Russia’s full-scale invasion of
Ukraine.
Thank you, Mr Chair. And thank you panellists, for sharing your
expertise on this important subject. It is absolutely right that
we discuss the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda in the FSC,
on the week that we mark International Women’s Day.
It is more than ten years since Russia sought to illegally annex
Crimea and over two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of
Ukraine. Events on the ground continue to demonstrate the
relevance of Women, Peace and Security to the politico-military
dimension. The WPS Agenda aims to recognise and empower
women as integral stakeholders and decision makers in
international security. We see this in Ukraine every day. As our
Ukrainian colleague made clear, tens of thousands of women serve
in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Territorial Defence Forces.
Many more play crucial roles across society – including as
medical professionals, first responders, aid workers – often in
addition to being primary caregivers. We salute their courage and
resilience in helping Ukraine secure a successful and sustainable
peace.
Two years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, we continue to
witness the disproportionate impact of war on women and girls.
The WPS Agenda also aims to protect victims and
survivors. This is why the UK is resolutely committed to
holding all those responsible to account, including through our
support for the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group. This was launched
in May 2022 to reinforce Ukraine’s domestic investigations and
the prosecution of core international crimes. As part of this
work, a member of the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
Initiative Team of Experts is working to support the Ukrainian
Office of the Prosecutor General to implement its
Conflict-Related Sexual Violence strategy. This includes
helping to embed international guidelines and best practice,
including on survivor-centred approaches, into the work of
Ukrainian prosecutors and investigators. We have also
stepped up our assistance to the ICC. The international community
and national authorities must work to uphold survivor’s rights
and help bring perpetrators to justice.
At home, the UK is making progress towards enhancing women’s
participation. The numbers of women serving in the armed forces
have been steadily rising and we have worked hard to facilitate
meaningful inclusion. This includes through the provision of
flexible working schemes and gender-sensitive improvements to
training and uniform.
In 2022, the Ministry of Defence announced a zero-tolerance
policy on sexual exploitation and abuse. This is in addition
to mandatory pre-deployment gender awareness training and annual
refreshers on international humanitarian law.
At the OSCE, the UK and Belgium championed the annual voluntary
report on WPS under the Code of Conduct (on Politico-Military
Aspects of Security). We thank the many participating States
which have already submitted returns and encourage others to use
the questionnaire to help share best practice.
Mr Chair, the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of
women in all aspects and at all levels of security is essential
to achieving better outcomes for peace and security. This
is not only the right thing to do – it also leads to more
conflict-sensitive and strategic outcomes. And where
militaries break international law, by targeting non-combatants
including women and girls, we will hold the perpetrators to
account.
