Australia is a long-standing global leader of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Government and Civil Society advocate, support and undertake action across the four pillars of participation, conflict prevention, protection of rights, and relief and recovery.

The Australian Government values the expertise, insights, and experiences of Civil Society, including women's rights organisations and women's human rights defenders, and recognises their roles in realising the Women, Peace and Security agenda through exchanges of views and collaboration.

Released on 12 April 2021, by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs/Women, Defence and Home Affairs, Australia's second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2021-2031) includes a commitment to strong Civil Society engagement.

Today's inaugural Government-Civil Society Engagement marked the start of a
ten-year partnership under the second National Action Plan. The purpose of the Government-Civil Society Engagement is to ensure implementation of the National Action Plan is enriched by the perspectives, learning and evidence from Civil Society, in Australia and in our region.

Government and Civil Society expressed their commitment to working together for women's meaningful participation and leadership in peace processes, the elimination of sexual and gender-based violence, and women's resilience and rights.

The inaugural Engagement reconfirmed shared support for the principles underpinning the second National Action Plan, including advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Australia, in the region and international fora, in ways that do-no-harm, mainstream gender equality, are grounded in human rights and recognise and respond to diverse experiences.

The Women, Peace and Security agenda can be a cornerstone of Australia's efforts to build prosperity and stability in our region. In a context of rising instability, the Women, Peace and Security agenda can play a critical role in strengthening and sustaining Civil Society, particularly feminist Civil Society, in the region to advance prevention, participation, protection and relief and recovery efforts. Women have a central role to play in times of crisis and in rebuilding more just and equitable societies in moments of transition.

Australian Civil Society Organisations which participated in the inaugural Engagement are committed to working together in partnership with Government to advance the role for Civil Society outlined in the second National Action Plan, including by providing advice and accountability and look forward to working together to diversify the voices involved in discussions on the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

Enquiries: Australian Civil-Military Centre (acmc.gov.au) or Women, Peace and Security Coalition