Select Committee · International Development Committee

Women, peace and security

Status: Closed Opened: 7 Mar 2025 Closed: 10 Jun 2026 12 recommendations 11 conclusions 1 report

The International Development Committee is launching a new inquiry into how the UK Government is involving the needs and voices of women in its development efforts. The cross-party committee of MPs will explore the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, adopted by the United Nations, considering how this agenda is being incorporated into UK aid … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
10th Report - Peace under pressure: Protecting Women, Peace… HC 782 23 Mar 2026 23 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

6 items
5 Conclusion 10th Report - Peace under pressure: Pro… Acknowledged

The Government’s commitment to implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, through its objectives in...

The Government’s commitment to implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, through its objectives in the National Action Plan, appears to be waning. The limited attention given to prevention throughout the National Action Plan, despite the benefits for peace, is concerning. The meaningful participation of women and other marginalised groups … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, reaffirming its commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda, women's participation, and conflict prevention. It describes ongoing efforts to champion women's participation and leadership, citing the Foreign Secretary's renewed determination and a commemorative event in November 2025.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
6 Recommendation 10th Report - Peace under pressure: Pro… Acknowledged

The Government need not re–shape its approach to Women, Peace and Security beyond the existing...

The Government need not re–shape its approach to Women, Peace and Security beyond the existing four pillars and five strategic objectives. Considering the increasing number of global conflicts and the integral role women play in peace, the National Action Plan refresh must prioritise meaningful participation and the contribution of women … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, stating it already champions and advocates for women's safe and meaningful participation in conflict prevention and peace processes. It reaffirms UK leadership on WPS and lists existing priorities, without committing to specific new actions for the NAP refresh.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
8 Conclusion 10th Report - Peace under pressure: Pro… Acknowledged

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s development and gender experts play an essential part in...

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s development and gender experts play an essential part in delivering the participation and prevention objectives in the National Action Plan. The Government cannot expect to deliver on these commitments without this expertise. Considering the number of growing number of conflicts around the world, losing … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, recognizing the essential role of FCDO's technical advisers and experts. It states it will make decisions on how best to utilise expertise, references the existing social development profession, and is developing a new Women and Equalities Community of Expertise.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
9 Recommendation 10th Report - Peace under pressure: Pro… Acknowledged

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office must not lose its development or gender expertise.

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office must not lose its development or gender expertise. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office should commit to maintain development experts working on Women, Peace and Security with connections to local organisations and communities around the world. The Government must not cut gender advisor roles. … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, recognizing the important role of technical advisers and stating teams are strongly encouraged to maintain dedicated gender advisor expertise, but does not explicitly commit to maintaining specific levels of expertise or providing advisors to support external organizations like GAPS.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
12 Conclusion 10th Report - Peace under pressure: Pro… Acknowledged

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has assured us it remains committed to the Women,...

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has assured us it remains committed to the Women, Peace and Security agenda despite staffing cuts. However, it has had difficulty in upholding its commitments in the National Action Plan with current resourcing. It is unclear how a smaller organisation with fewer resources and … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, asserting its unwavering commitment to the WPS agenda and explaining that FCDO restructuring is a redesign to improve coherence and focus, with priority work and frontline capability protected. They will review the governance structure as part of the 2026 NAP Refresh.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
20 Conclusion 10th Report - Peace under pressure: Pro… Acknowledged

Given the Government’s stated commitment to meaningful engagement, we consider it to be disappointing that...

Given the Government’s stated commitment to meaningful engagement, we consider it to be disappointing that a copy of the National Action Plan has not been shared with us in advance of publication. Earlier sharing would have strengthened transparency and supported effective parliamentary scrutiny. (Conclusion, Paragraph 88) Read more

Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, acknowledging the importance of external scrutiny and stating it will consider sharing a draft of the refreshed WPS NAP with the Committee in advance of its 2026 publication.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
16 Dec 2025 Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP · Ministry of Defence, Chris Elmore MP · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Emily Maltman · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Stuart Mills · Ministry of Defence View ↗
18 Nov 2025 Eva Tabbasam · Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS), Professor Toni Haastrup · The University of Manchester, Reem Alsalem · United Nations View ↗
14 Oct 2025 Fawzia Koofi · Afghan Parliament, Fiona Kilpatrick-Cooper · The HALO Trust, Hanin Ahmed · Emergency Response Rooms, Sudan, Stephanie Siddall · Women for Women International, The Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon View ↗

Who gave evidence

12 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister … Ministry of Defence 1
Chris Elmore MP · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Multil… Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office 1
Emily Maltman · Head of Gender and Children in Conflict Department Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office 1
Eva Tabbasam · Director Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS) 1
Fawzia Koofi · Former Deputy Speaker Afghan Parliament 1
Fiona Kilpatrick-Cooper · Director of Weapons and Ammunition Management The HALO Trust 1
Hanin Ahmed · Sudanese Activist and Emergency Response Room Lea… Emergency Response Rooms, Sudan 1
Professor Toni Haastrup · Professor The University of Manchester 1
Reem Alsalem · Special rapporteur on violence against women and … United Nations 1
Stephanie Siddall · Director of Global Policy and Advocacy Women for Women International 1
Stuart Mills · Head of Global Issues, Security Policy and Operat… Ministry of Defence 1
The Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon 1