Ireland's National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security
The Women Peace and Security Agenda
The Women, Peace and Security Agenda is based on UN Resolution 1325, and nine further related resolutions, which recognise the differential impact of conflict on women and girls. The Women, Peace and Security Agenda is founded on the idea that due to the power dynamics of gender, conflict affects women, girls, boys and men differently.
One of the most important elements of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda is its application and implementation by Member States, many of which pursue these through National Action Plans. Over 100 UN Member States currently have National Action Plans. Ireland is currently on its Fourth National Action Plan, launched in September 2025.
United Nations Security Council 1325
United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 was adopted in 2000. Its adoption was a watershed moment for advancing gender equality, marking global recognition of the unique and disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls, and the importance of their participation in decision-making in conflict and post-conflict situations.
The binding commitments of UNSCR 1325 strive towards the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in decision-making processes around issues related to peace and security; for the protection of women and girls from gender-based violence; and the implementation of gender perspectives in all peace-making and peace building strategies undertaken by the United Nations and its Member States.
UNSCR 1325 has been complemented and strengthened by the adoption of UNSCR 1820 (2008), UNSCR 1888 (2009), UNSCR 1889 (2009), UNSCR 1960 (2010), UNSCR 2106 (2013), UNSCR 2122 (2013), UNSCR 2242 (2015), UNSCR 2467 (2019), and UNSCR 2493 (2019), all of which Ireland co-sponsored. Taken together, these resolutions comprise the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda.
Ireland’s Fourth National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security
The Fourth National Action Plan (2025-2030) was officially launched by Tánaiste and then-Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris T.D in September 2025.
The development of the National Action Plan was led by a subcommittee of the Oversight Group for the Third National Action. The Oversight Group is a working group appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. This group is responsible for the oversight of the implementation of the commitments made in the National Action Plan, and draws membership equally from relevant Departments and State agencies, and from civil society and academia. The group remains together for the duration of the National Action Plan. A new Oversight Group has been formed to oversee the Fourth National Action Plan. The Peace and Stability Unit of Department of Foreign Affairs, serves as the Oversight Group Secretariat.
The National Action Plan was drafted based on a consultation process of workshops and collaborations with government departments, civil society organisations and academia. During the development of the National Action Plan two validation workshops were held in Iveagh house on 13 January 2025 which were widely attended.
Yearly reports on the progress of the National Action Plan will be prepared and published to this site. The first report will be published in 2026.
Ireland’s previous National Action Plans
Ireland's First National Action Plan/WPS An Chéad Tuarascáil Bhliantúil launched in November 2011. It was drafted following on from an interdepartmental governmental and civil society consultation process and an international cross-learning initiative, involving women from Timor-Leste, Liberia and Ireland/Northern Ireland. It was launched on 25 November 2011 at the Annual Seminar of the Irish Consortium on Gender-Based Violence by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, and former President Mary Robinson. A Midterm Review and Final Review were conducted to inform the Second National Action Plan.
The Second National Action Plan (2015-2018) was launched in January 2015 by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan T.D. It was drafted by a Consultation Group (appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade) with equal representation from government and civil society organisations.
The Third National Action Plan (2019-2024) was launched on 21 June 2019 by then Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D. The development of Ireland's Third National Action Plan on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda was led by a Working Group appointed by the Tánaiste and was made up of 50% government and 50% civil society.
Annual Reports on the third National Action Plan (NAP)
As part of its monitoring and reporting requirements, the third NAP contained a commitment to deliver an Annual Report on the implementation and impact of the Plan, as well as the presentation of these Reports to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade (JCFAT).
The Fifth and Final Annual Report on the Third National Action Plan covers the important work done to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda both in Ireland and internationally during the final year of the Plan in 2024. It was published in January 2026 and can be read below.
The Fourth NAP also contains a commitment to the delivery of an Annual Report on the implementation of the Plan, and the presentation of the same report to the JCFAT. All reports will be published to this site once completed.