Initiatives to Promote Women, Peace and Security

International Cooperation Map (2023.6～2025.11)

Japan-led WPS initiatives:Kazakhstan,Mongolia,Laos,Cambodia,Malaysia,Indonesia,Philippines,Timor-Leste,Papua New Guinea,Fiji,Tonga, ASEAN, Pacific Island Countries / Contribution to WPS initiatives of partner countries and regional organizations : UK, NATO(Belgium),Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UN (New York), US, Chile, Brazil / Cooperation with partner countries : UK, Norway, Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, US

What is Women, Peace and Security (WPS)?

In 2000, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), which recognized that women and girls are disproportionately affected in conflict.

UNSCR 1325 also reaffirmed the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building, and stressed the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security.

In 2015, Japan adopted its first National Action Plan (NAP) to implement UNSCR 1325. The action plan has been since revised, and the initiatives are currently progressing in line with the third NAP, which was adopted in April 2023.

The Ministry of Defense (MOD) has been conducting various initiatives to promote active participation of women, and has also undertaken international activities such as UN peacekeeping operations and large-scale disaster response while contributing to WPS.

The MOD and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) will further strengthen its initiatives to promote WPS and contribute to implementation of the NAP as well as international peace and stability.

Pamphlet：

• ＷＰＳって知ってる？（日本語版）PDF別ウィンドウで開く
• What is WPS ?（English）PDFOpen in new window

Leaflet：

• 防衛省・自衛隊の災害派遣活動におけるにおける女性・平和・安全保障（WPS） （日本語版）PDF別ウィンドウで開く
• Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Initiatives in Disaster Relief Operations of the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) （English）PDFOpen in new window

The Ministry of Defense WPS Promotion Plan

On 2 April 2024, the third meeting of the Headquarters for WPS Promotion in MOD was convened by the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Matsumoto and based on previous discussions at the Headquarters, the MOD adopted a WPS Promotion Plan for the first time.

The MOD WPS Promotion Plan sets forth items, which is based on the third NAP for WPS (FY 2023-2028), to be implemented by FY 2028 in order to further promote WPS.

Based on the MOD WPS Promotion Plan, the MOD is strongly promoting WPS as a whole of Ministry effort, and contribute to protecting Japanese nationals as well as international peace and stability by conducting activities incorporating gender perspectives.

• WPS Promotion PlanPDFOpen in new window