Committee publication · Special Report · 10 June 2026 · HC 210
Large Print - 1st Special Report: Peace under pressure: Protecting Women, Peace and Security: Government Response
From: International Development Committee
Inquiry: Women, peace and security
Summary
This is the UK government's formal response to the International Development Committee's March 2026 special report on Women, Peace and Security (WPS). The government partially or fully accepts most recommendations, emphasizing its unwavering commitment to the WPS agenda through its fifth National Action Plan, multilateral diplomacy at the UN Security Council and NATO, and mainstreaming gender equality across foreign policy. However, it defends its approach of integrating WPS into country-specific negotiations rather than holding dedicated WPS sessions, and justifies its resource allocation amid ODA cuts by embedding gender considerations across the entire portfolio rather than ring-fencing standalone programmes.
Key findings
- Government states it advanced WPS in 2025 through sustained engagement on Libya, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Somalia mandates, defending gender-sensitive language in UN Security Council resolutions and anchoring women's participation protections in operational mandates.
- Government 'partially agrees' with recommendation for dedicated WPS Security Council session, arguing that inviting women briefers to country-specific meetings (Syria, Sudan, Middle East) is more impactful than generic WPS discussions; used February 2026 Presidency to elevate women's voices in geographic discussions.
- Government commits to 90% of bilateral ODA having gender equality focus by 2030 through mainstreaming approach; provided £3.5 million to women peacebuilders in FY25/26 and similar funding planned for FY26/27; rejects notion this represents diminished commitment.
- Government acknowledges lack of transparent cross-government monitoring framework and agrees to establish coordinated WPS monitoring mechanism with consistent indicators by Spring 2026 NAP refresh; notes baseline study completed but kept internal.
- Government defends staffing through FCDO2030 restructure and creation of Women and Equalities Community of Expertise; commits to maintaining technical gender expertise while acknowledging difficulty upholding NAP commitments under current resourcing.
Government position
The government partially accepts most recommendations. It fully accepts the need for a robust monitoring framework (Rec. 86) and agrees on principles of meaningful WPS participation (Rec. 45, 46, 71). However, it 'disagrees' with the recommendation to convene a dedicated WPS session during Council Presidencies, arguing that country-specific briefings integrating women's voices are more effective. On funding, the government 'partially agrees' with ring-fencing commitments (Rec. 61, 70), defending instead a mainstreaming approach where gender equality is embedded across 90% of bilateral ODA by 2030. It 'partially agrees' that the FCDO must retain gender expertise (Rec. 48), committing to evolve advisory models and create new specialist communities rather than guarantee dedicated roles. Throughout, the government asserts it remains 'unwavering' in WPS commitment despite structural changes and ODA reductions.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
International Development Committee, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), UK Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Defence (MOD), UN Security Council, Women's Rights Organisations, Sudanese feminist activist Hala Al-Karib, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten
Notable line
“There cannot be peace, security or prosperity without women playing their part, free from violence and free from fear.”
Key Quotes
“There cannot be peace, security or prosperity without women playing their part, free from violence and free from fear.”
“The Government is not 'idle' in any of these matters, or in defending the gains made in the past.”
“This approach, to bring women's voices and perspectives into country- specific discussions, has proven more meaningful and impactful than holding generic discussions on WPS, 9 which can, given differing views of Council members, have little impact and let rhetoric take the place of implementation.”
“Women's full, equal, meaningful and safe participation must be embedded not only in country-specific mandates, where decisions have direct operational impact, but also across a wide range of thematic discussions, including on counterterrorism, climate security and cyber security.”
“Protection, participation and prevention go hand in hand.”
“By 2030, at least 90 percent of the FCDOs bilateral ODA will have a focus on equality for women and girls, either as a principal or significant objective.”
“Mainstreaming is not " administrative lexicon " or a drop in focus on this issue.”
“… the Government is unwavering in its commitment and leadership in advancing the WPS agenda.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗