UK Praises Iraq’s Plan to Protect Women and Promote Their Role in Peace
The United Kingdom has publicly praised Iraq for releasing its National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAP WPS). This happened at the United Nations Security Council on June 10, 2025, as announced by the UK government. This plan is a big step forward in ensuring women’s safety and giving them a stronger voice in building peace within the country.
What is a National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security?
Let’s break it down:
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Women, Peace and Security (WPS): This is a UN framework recognizing the critical role women play in preventing conflict, building peace, and recovering from war. It highlights the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls and emphasizes the need to protect them and include them in all peace efforts.
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National Action Plan (NAP): A NAP WPS is a plan developed by a country to implement the WPS agenda within its borders. It outlines specific goals, strategies, and actions to protect women and girls, prevent conflict, and empower women to participate in peacebuilding processes. Think of it as a detailed roadmap for putting the WPS principles into practice.
Why is Iraq’s NAP WPS important?
Iraq has faced significant conflict and instability in recent years. Women and girls have been particularly vulnerable to violence, displacement, and discrimination. A strong NAP WPS is essential for:
- Protecting Women and Girls: The plan aims to protect women and girls from violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, during conflict and in its aftermath.
- Empowering Women: It seeks to increase women’s participation in decision-making processes related to peace and security, ensuring their voices are heard in shaping Iraq’s future.
- Promoting Peace and Reconciliation: By involving women in peacebuilding efforts, the NAP WPS aims to create a more inclusive and sustainable peace.
- Addressing Specific Needs: The plan likely addresses the specific needs and challenges faced by women in different regions of Iraq, taking into account cultural and social contexts.
What did the UK say?
While the specific details of the UK’s statement are not available in the provided information, we can assume the UK:
- Commended Iraq: Expressed strong approval and support for the development and publication of the NAP WPS.
- Highlighted the Importance: Emphasized the significance of the plan for promoting peace, security, and gender equality in Iraq.
- Offered Support: Likely offered technical or financial assistance to help Iraq implement the NAP WPS effectively.
- Encouraged Implementation: Urged the Iraqi government and other stakeholders to prioritize the implementation of the plan and monitor its progress.
Why is the UK involved?
The UK is a strong advocate for the WPS agenda globally. It has its own National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and actively supports other countries in developing and implementing theirs. This support often involves:
- Diplomacy: Using its diplomatic influence to promote the WPS agenda at international forums like the UN Security Council.
- Technical Assistance: Providing expertise and support to countries in developing and implementing their NAP WPS.
- Financial Assistance: Contributing funds to support WPS initiatives and projects in conflict-affected countries.
In conclusion, Iraq’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security is a crucial step towards building a more peaceful and just society. The UK’s commendation reflects the international community’s recognition of the importance of women’s role in peacebuilding and the need for concrete action to protect and empower them in conflict-affected countries like Iraq. The effective implementation of this plan will be key to achieving lasting peace and stability.
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The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-06-10 15:27, ‘The UK commends the publication of Iraq’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security: UK statement at the UN Security Council’ was published according to UK News and communications. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.
1099