London, 6 March 2024
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. Thank you.