Liz McManus – JCFAT Speaking Notes
UNSCR 1325 recognises the unique and disproportionate impact of conflict on women and
girls and highlights the critical role of women and girls in conflict prevention, peace
negotiations, peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction and governance. In response to
this, Ireland produced a 1325 NAP in November 2011. It focuses primarily on how Ireland
engages internationally on issues of women, peace and security. It also has domestic
elements, including the recruitment and retention of women within An Garda Síochána and
the Defence Forces, and issues around 1325 in Northern Ireland.
I am here before you today as the independent Chair of the 1325 monitoring and evaluation
group. The MG set up to monitor implementation of Ireland’s NAP. The monitoring group
comprises representation from relevant civil society organisations and academics, and
government departs and agencies with responsibilities under the NAP and contains
tremendous expertise in the area of women, peace and security.
At the outset I would like to acknowledge the excellent work being done by all members of
the group, and thank them for their time and expertise in ensuring Ireland’s implementation
of the NAP.
Ireland’s NAP, which was launched just 18 months ago, is a comprehensive plan that sets out
a multitude of actions and indicators with specific timeframes for completion. We have
discovered through the work of the monitoring group, and indeed the findings of the progress
report, that many of these indicators are clear, measurable and achievable, while others will
require considerable effort and commitment over a long period of time or may not be
achievable at all. I can say with confidence, that there has been good will from both civil
society and government departments and agencies towards meeting the aims of UN Security
Resolution 1325.
The vision of a ‘living document’ expressed in the NAP has been central to the work of the
monitoring group to date. Utilising the wealth of experience brought together, we have both
examined the implementation of the NAP, and identified challenges which require further
investigation. Part of the groups brief is to look towards the formulation of the next NAP in
November 2014.
We have been very fortunate that the excellent work undertaken by independent consultants
Karen McMinn and Bronagh Hinds in producing this mid-term progress report have
contributed immensely to our efforts. Through extensive analysis of indicators against
progress to date they have succeeded, at this mid-way point, in identifying both areas of
progress and good practice, and areas of challenge. They have listed a number of
recommendations. I note that the Department of Foreign Affairs is currently in the process of
preparing a response.
Given the international focus of 1325 on women and girls affected by conflict, wherever that
may be, Ireland’s permanent mission to the United Nations in New York has played an
outstandingly strong role in advocating for increased focus on commitments to women, peace
and security. This has been lead by Ireland’s Ambassador to the UN Anne Anderson who has
been a consistent voice for progression of the aims of 1325 at the UN. The report also
highlights in particular, the positive work of Irish Aid and the Defence Forces internationally,
in delivering on our commitments as set out in the NAP.
Numerous challenges too have been identified by the progress report; I can assure you that
we will be striving to address these areas in the final 18months of the NAP. A particular
challenging area to date has been with regard to Northern Ireland. There is a curious situation
where the UK has a 1325 NAP and Ireland has 1325 NAP, but Northern Ireland is excluded
from both. We have been tasked with increasing the impact that Ireland’s NAP can have in
strengthening engagement with Northern Ireland authorities to progress the objectives of
1325. I intend to follow up on this with the Tánaiste.
Most importantly, with regard to the progress report, are the numerous recommendations
given for the remainder of the NAP period, and those for consideration in the formulation of
Ireland’s next NAP. As a former member of government, I am fully aware that it may
sometimes be difficult to deliver on all areas identified. However it is my duty as independent
chair to ensure that, despite the current challenging climate, I continually push for the best
outcome possible to ensure Ireland is a world leader in implementing the objectives of 1325.
To date, a considerable amount of work has been done, particularly by Irish Aid, the Defence
Forces, and at the UN. Ireland internationally, is rightly considered a leading example when it
comes to women, peace and security and we must all strive to ensure that this reputation is
further strengthened. This midterm report gives us a roadmap to work on.
Finally, the open and transparent nature of Ireland’s commitments to 1325 to date should be
recognised and commended. When Ireland set out to design our1325 NAP we adopted an
open and transparent process. We also made provision for an inclusive monitoring group with
an independent chair; a group represented by civil society groups and statutory departments
and bodies. We have striven to meet our commitments to date and I am confident that the
MG has the level of commitment and determination required to progress the
recommendations in this review.