The United Kingdom backs Egypt to draft its first National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in support of Egypt’s national efforts to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The UK embassy in Cairo detailed in a statement on Thursday that the project will lay the foundation for Egypt’s implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and its subsequent resolutions.

The NAP will be developed under the umbrella of a tripartite partnership between the Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding, the National Council for Women, and the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

UN Women will provide substantive technical support from the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in Egypt, with financial support from the UK.

The UK’s own national action plan for Women, Peace and Security seeks to prevent conflict and all forms of violence against women and girls. It also aims to support women’s equal participation in peace and security decision-making processes and protect the rights of women and girls in conflict-affected situations.

British Ambassador to Egypt, Sir Geoffrey Adams, said: “Women’s participation is key to the success and longevity of peace initiatives. 

In 2019, the UK provided targeted assistance to support the African Union efforts on WPS, and we know there is scope to do more together. I am delighted the UK is supporting Egypt develop a comprehensive action plan to promote gender equality and support women’s participation in peace and security processes,” Adams added.

The UK’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, Julian Reilly, said: “Women’s participation in peace negotiations increases the durability and the quality of peace.

In 2018, the UK launched its fourth National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security. This year, we are supporting Egypt, a pivotal partner in Africa, do the same. This action plan will enable Egypt to provide strategic direction for women in the pursuit of a better and more peaceful future,” Reilly reiterated.

“The evident strong political will to support the empowerment of women and decision of the Government of Egypt to develop a NAP on the implementation of UNSCR 1325, are not only important to advance the women’s empowerment national agenda but is also a critical milestone in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on Gender Equality, as well as SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions,” stated Gielan El Messiri; UN Women Head of Office ad interim.