Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR1325) - Women, Peace and Security.
The growing role of women in military and peacekeeping operations around the world is critical to Australia's national security and to global security.
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, said the landmark resolution recognised the importance of women's equal participation in the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.
"There has been much progress since the Australian Government affirmed its commitment to UNSCR 1325 through the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2012-2018," Minister Reynolds said.
"Defence contributed to the development of many of the 24 recommendations in the National Action Plan, all of which have been implemented.
"The Australian Defence Force Gender Advisor Course is also building Defence's expertise in the gendered impacts of conflicts and disasters, with 20 Gender Advisors placed with multinational operations and more with exercises across the Indo-Pacific region since 2014.
"These contributions have positioned Defence as a world-leader in Women, Peace and Security.
"Recognising that women remain under-represented in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peacekeeping, humanitarian responses and post-conflict reconstruction, Defence has made the Women, Peace and Security agenda an enduring priority.
"As we look to the future, Defence remains committed to mobilising UNSCR 1325 in the international field.
"The Government will also continue to champion the agenda across multinational forums and within bilateral partnerships, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)."
The Gender, Peace and Security Mandate 2020-2030 sets out Defence's long-term strategy for realising ambitious goals for gender equality and human rights' protection at https://www.defence.gov.au/JCG/JSSD/Gender_Peace_Security/
