About us
The Associate Parliamentary Group on Women, Peace and Security (APG-WPS) is the parliamentary forum in the UK for the discussion and critical analysis of issues relating to women, peace and security, including the implementation of international human rights law, including Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, 1889 and 1960. It particularly focuses on how to promote and highlight the vital role women play in peacebuilding, conflict resolution and post conflict reconstruction.
It provides a unique opportunity for parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, civil servants and civil society to debate issues relating to gender and security on the basis of expert information and opinion. The group was registered in July 2006 and is an important tool for maintaining productive relationships between the different HMG ministries involved and the NGO community, as well as encouraging increased awareness on the issue in Parliament.
Amongst other things, the APG works to:
• Create dialogue and ideas
• Share of expertise and network
• Highlight success stories for parliamentarians, in particular by championing when visiting various regions
• Prioritise activities and issues by identifying particular problem areas, especially early warning
• Monitor and hold the government to account so that women, peace and security is mainstreamed across all foreign, defence and development policy
• Put pressure on government but also others who can help deliver this long term task of implementing the UK National Action Plan
At its AGM in September 2012, Members agreed to focus on the following areas of work in the months ahead:
• Women human rights defenders
• The Foreign Secretary’s Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative [hyperlink here to PSVI page on FCO ]
• Women’s rights in Afghanistan
• An inquiry into women, peace and security in Northern Ireland
• Development of the National Action Plan
Contact us
If you would like further information on the APG-WPS, please send us an email to: apg-wps@gaps-uk.org
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