INTERNATIONAL: Women, peace and security

The Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell, has made clear that the only way that we can tackle the worst problems facing the world today – including in conflict affected countries – is by "putting women to the front and centre of all our efforts". We know that women and girls tend to experience conflict differently than men and boys, and that women are both actors and victims in armed conflicts. In 2010 the UK launched its National Action Plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace and Security. This commits the UK to work to reduce the impact of conflict on women and girls and to promote their inclusion in conflict resolution. The National Action Plan ensures that UNSCR 1325 provisions form part of the UK Government's work on conflict in our defence, diplomatic and development activity.
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

Discrimination and violence against women remains one of the most widespread human rights abuses. According to a report from the Generall Assembly globally one in three women or girls has been beaten or sexually abused in her lifetime.
DFID works to prevent violence against women and girls as well as giving support to victims of violence. This may include working with both women and men, girls and boys; making physical environments safer; and measures to protect women fleeing persecution and insecurity.
Our response to VAWG cuts across a number of sectors, including security and justice, health, education and livelihoods. DFID works to prevent VAWG in non-conflict countries as well as in those affected by conflict. Our overall approach is set out in the UK Government's National Action Plan to end violence against women and girls, and in DFID's Strategic Vision for Women and Girls.

In its implementation of UNSCR 1325 and the VAWG agenda, the UK has committed to national, bilateral and multilateral action. We will:
-Incorporate gender considerations into training on conflict, core working practices, and delivery programmes, with the Department for International Development, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Stabilisation Unit and the Ministry of Defence working together.

-Include gender programmes in priority conflict and post-conflict countries, including Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nepal.

-Provide political support for enhancing UNSCR 1325 as it is implemented by the UN, and for incorporating the Resolution into the political and operational activities of the EU and NATO

Our successful programmes include:

A £7.5 million Safety, Security and Access to Justice programme in Malawi aimed at providing added security to 50,000 women and children who are victims of abuse, including improved community policing and Victim Support Units. Funding and promoting the use of mobile courts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which resulted in the landmark conviction of Lt Col Kibibi and nine government soldiers for crimes against humanity for their role in the mass rapes in South Kivu. £30 million of support for the Manusher Jonno Foundation, a legal advocacy group which, with its partners, has gotten a draft Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act tabled in Parliament in Bangladesh. We have also given £850,000 in support to the Acid Survivors Foundation, which provides medical treatment, counselling and support to hundreds of acid attack survivors.