The ten ASEAN members ratified the Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security (RPA WPS) rules at the 40th ASEAN Summit and the 41st ASEAN Summit in November 2022 (which is also the first regional policy framework related to WPS). The agenda related to women, peace, and security is at the center of policies, both in Indonesia and beyond its borders. It serves as a coordinating effort in maintaining prosperity and peace in Southeast Asia. To achieve a country’s growth and maintain global peace, the active participation of women and vulnerable groups is essential.
The essence of the 2023 Summit held in Indonesia are as follows:
• The National Action Plan for Women, Peace, and Security (RAN WPS) implemented by the Philippines and Indonesia is planned to be emulated by Vietnam and Thailand.
• The key elements for coordinating, funding, and overseeing the enhancement of the WPS agenda primarily emphasizes monitoring and allocating budgets for gender-responsive initiatives while advancing WPS.
• Before the WPS Summit was held, participants first visited Sinduharjo Village and Wedomartani Village, which are also peaceful villages in Indonesia, with the aim of observing and implementing community approaches to women, peace, and security.
To ensure the successful implementation of WPS, it is crucial to strengthen the consolidation of partnerships and cooperation between countries and relevant stakeholders.
During the summit, various participants, including diplomats, gender experts, government representatives, international organizations, and civil groups discussed the importance of integrating a gender lens into security and peace initiatives in the SEA region. This integration is essential to address challenges arising in the form of cybersecurity, violence, and climate security. The Summit event in Indonesia this year was organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection. It received sponsorship and full support from various parties, including the Canadian government, Australian government, British government, Republic of Korea government, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and UN Women.
Supporting gender equality and other policies and programs is crucial for a comprehensive strategic partnership between Southeast Asia and Australia. Full support must be strengthened to overcome challenges in various sectors including peace, security, military contingents, and peacekeeping. In achieving and maintaining peace, transformational skills, strength, knowledge, and leaders are needed.
Canada strongly supports these activities, as evidenced by the nation’s assistance with UN Women to support the Empowering Women for Sustainable Peace initiative, the strategy between Canada and the Indo-Pacific, as well as Canada’s partnership with various organizations in the Southeast Asia Region (ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation), to Canada’s commitment to a series of WPS Dialogue events in 2023. Through these efforts, Canada strongly supports the WPS agenda organized by ASEAN. Seeing this extraordinary development, Canada feels very happy and proud because this has been accomplished with the help and cooperation of Canada.
Advancing women, peace, and security is a key objective of the UK and ASEAN partnership. The UK is very proud of its full involvement and participation in advancing this issue. In practice, of course, the UK is not alone, but in cooperation with UN Women and the ASEAN Institute of Peace and Reconciliation. As such, the country will be happy to support policies related to WPS in ASEAN countries through policymaking and full support of civil society in empowering women and security.
About the author:
Hello, my name is Anwar from Indonesia. I am a volunteer writer at AYO POST. My hobbies are traveling and writing. I am interested in unique building designs and tourist attractions.