Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg's Minister of Defence, Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity;
Credit: MAE
On Friday 7 March 2025, Luxembourg’s Minister of Defence and Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity, Yuriko Backes, together with CID Fraen an Gender, hosted a public event featuring a roundtable discussion to present the new National Action Plan "Women, Peace and Security" 2025-2030 for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000).
According to a press release issued by the Directorate of Defence, in her opening speech, Minister Backes emphasised that despite progress made, the unequal participation of women in peace processes and the ongoing regression of women's rights remain alarming realities at the international level. She noted that this is particularly regrettable as the 25th anniversary of the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action on Women are being marked this year.
"It is now our responsibility to work towards ensuring equality for all and to shape a future based on inclusive peace and lasting security. There can be no just and lasting peace without full respect for the rights of women and girls," stated Minister Backes.
This second National Action Plan builds on past achievements and seeks to “strengthen commitment” to the "Women, Peace and Security" agenda among all partners and stakeholders involved in its implementation.
Minister Backes outlined the four pillars on which the new Luxembourg action plan is based:
- Full, Equal, and Inclusive Participation - promoting the full, equal and meaningful participation of women at all levels of responsibility in peace, security, conflict prevention, management and resolution;
- Prevention - preventing and eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, particularly sexual and gender-based violence;
- Protection, Relief and Recovery - strengthening the protection of women and girls against all forms of violence; improving access to justice, medical and psychological care and recovery opportunities;
- Promotion - promoting the "Women, Peace and Security" agenda and its normative framework at the national and international levels.
Minister Backes also highlighted new objectives and actions related specifically to defence and the Luxembourg Army, particularly in the areas of training, awareness, communication and recruitment.
The Defence Directorate shared that the event included a roundtable discussion featuring Fleur Thomas, British Ambassador to Luxembourg, General Steve Thull, Chief of Staff of the Luxembourg Army, and Claire Schadeck from CID Fraen an Gender. The discussion focused on the implementation of the new National Action Plan, the ambitions and objectives of Luxembourg's Defence Directorate in this area, the role of civil society and the international dimension of the "Women, Peace and Security" agenda, including its implementation by the United Kingdom.
This event was part of the celebrations for International Women's Day, which is taking place on Saturday 8 March 2025.
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