Canada renews commitment to women, peace and security

- Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs

February 7, 2017 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, consider gender equality and the empowerment of women as vital preconditions to conflict prevention, resolution and transition to peace. For these reasons, they reiterated Canada’s commitment to the issue of women, peace and security as the Government of Canada tabled its response to the third report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, entitled An Opportunity for Global Leadership: Canada and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

In 2010, Canada adopted the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in response to a series of United Nations Security Council resolutions on the issue. In its report, the standing committee identifies progress made to date in the implementation of the action plan and highlights challenges to be addressed.

In its response to the standing committee’s report, the Government of Canada commits to take into account its recommendations as it actively works to renew the action plan. It will also consider the results of its International Assistance Review, and will consult with the members of the Women, Peace and Security Network-Canada and other groups and experts in Canada, the UN and like-minded and conflict-affected countries.

The Standing Committee made 17 recommendations, including:

  • increasing the number of women members of the military, of police officers and of civilians it puts forward to fill senior UN positions;
  • taking a leading role on peace operations issues and women, peace and security through forums at the UN;
  • increasing the number of women employed in peace operations; and
  • including women in peace processes by supporting local civil society organizations and women human rights defenders.

Quotes

– Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs

“Canada is committed to gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls and the promotion and protection of their human rights. Women, peace and security are part of Canada’s foreign policy priorities. The active participation and leadership by women in all aspects of society is critical both at home and abroad.”

– Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs

 

Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

“Canada believes women are powerful agents of change and have the right to be full participants and influencers in peace and security operations. Achieving gender equality requires transforming unequal power relations and challenging social norms and gender stereotypes that limit opportunities for women and limit the full potential for a better world.”

– Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

 
Quick facts

  • Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (CNAP) is a partnership among the minister of foreign affairs, the minister of international development, the minister of national defence and the minister of public safety and emergency preparedness, who is responsible for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
  • The CNAP is intended to guide the Government of Canada in the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security and to improve Canada’s capacity to safeguard and support affected populations during all phases of peace operations and in fragile and conflict-affected situations.
  • The Peace and Stabilization Operations Program coordinates the government’s implementation of the action plan and actively promotes the role of women in conflict resolution.
    The Government of Canada promotes the participation of women in peace processes, such as those in Colombia and Syria, and provides training to women to enable them to become active agents of change.

Sources:

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada

Photo of Hon. Chrystia Freehand from www.international.gc.ca

photo of Marie-Claude Bibeau from www.pm.gc.ca

 

 

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