Sri Lanka adopts its First National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security

After experiencing a number of crises throughout the year, including conflict, the Covid-19 pandemic, and economic collapse, Sri Lanka adopted its first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) for the years 2023–2027 with the assistance of the Japanese government and UN Women.

The action plan, in accordance with the international commitments outlined in the UN Security Council's Resolution 1325 (2000), "adds to the country's legal and policy frameworks to protect and empower women in line with the UN Security Council's Resolution 1325 (2000)," according to UN Women, and is crucial to Sri Lanka's sustained peace and development. Additionally, it seeks to improve communication among those involved in the agenda for women, peace, and security.

The National Action Plan also aims to provide targeted aid to women who have suffered harm from war, violence, and environmental instability and still do. UN Women continued, "It aims to promote women's economic empowerment through access to equitable opportunities and resources, as well as the security of marginalised women and girls.

The plan that was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on February 27 was formally launched on March 8, International Women's Day.

According to the UN Women, the recently adopted National Action Plan was developed through a consultative process with input from provincial and district-level public sector representatives, civil society, community-based organizations, women leaders, and others with direct and varied experience of conflict and crises.

With technical support from UN Women, it was developed in collaboration with the governments of Sri Lanka and Japan. The Japanese government signed a partnership agreement with Sri Lanka in 2018 as part of the G7 WPS framework.
In a speech given on this occasion, President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that while Sri Lankan women are in a better situation than women in other Asian nations, efforts will be made to further advance their rights.

The "National Policy on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment" and the "National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security" would help in achieving this goal, according to President Wickremesinghe, and the progress made thus far was recognised on International Women's Day.

"This year, prominent women SAARC activists will assemble in Sri Lanka to push for the inclusion of women's rights in the structure of the group. Sri Lanka will take the lead in advancing women's rights in the Asian region because it is committed to advancing gender equality and women's empowerment in all spheres." "The timely implementation of this National Action Plan, which will support Sri Lanka's efforts to realising the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, is welcomed by the government of Japan. Japan is dedicated to advancing Sri Lanka's women, peace, and security agenda through our long-standing relationship with UN Women and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs "Speaking about Sri Lanka's development, Mizukoshi Hideaki, the Japanese ambassador said.

Prashani Dias, the director of UN Women's office in Sri Lanka, said: "To help with the implementation of this important policy framework, UN Women has provided public sector employees with training on women, peace, and security with support from the government of Japan. Through these programmes, workplans have been jointly created at the district level to address issues that affect the wellbeing of women and girls during times of crisis."