Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo launched the first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
This is in line with Malta’s commitment to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which focuses on the negative impact of armed conflict on women and girls and affirms the importance of gender equality in peace and conflict resolution processes.
The National Action Plan is the result of an initiative by the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs in collaboration with the Parliamentary Secretariat for Equality and Reforms with the support of various departments, academics and citizens.
This plan will allow the Maltese Government to integrate more issues on women, peace and security and on gender equality at the heart of its work. The National Action Plan also aims to ensure that the specific needs of women who have experienced conflict and are living in Malta are addressed with adequate trauma support services.
In his speech, Minister Bartolo said that Malta will continue to work to encourage the participation of women in the Diplomatic Corps, the Armed Forces and the Police Force.
He also announced that as a show of its strong commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1325, Malta has appointed Cecilia Attard Pirotta as the first Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security. She will chair a committee responsible for the implementation of the National Action Plan, as well as all issues affecting Women, Peace and Security.
This is all in line with Malta’s belief that women and girls who have experienced conflicts and/or are in vulnerable situations should be emancipated to participate equally in all aspects of their society, including politics and the economy, and have equal access to social security, as a prerequisite for sustainable development for the creation of inclusive and peaceful societies.
