APPG on Women, Peace and Security roundtable with the NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative on Women, Peace and Security, Irene Fellin. 13th May, 2025

The meeting opened with discussion with the NATO SG SR on WPS on the United Kingdom’s role as a key NATO ally and UN Penholder on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), highlighting its longstanding contributions to mediation and gender integration in international security. It was emphasised the need for sustained political will and funding to protect WPS progress, especially in today’s complex global context. Despite external challenges, it was agreed that consistent advocacy remains essential.

Engagement with parliamentarians, including through the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and international partners such as Japan, was seen as critical. The Foreign Minister’s work in Brussels and the development of international parliamentary networks were cited as effective for advancing the WPS agenda. There was a shared view that WPS must be embedded across national and international policy, with accountability as a core principle.

The roundtable discussed NATO’s strategic shift following the war in Ukraine, from crisis management to deterrence and defence. This evolution demands a new regional defence outlook and the integration of gender perspectives at both political and military levels. While the Washington Summit’s endorsement of NATO’s WPS approach was welcomed, the NATO SG SR on WPS stressed the need for practical implementation guidance and leadership from defence institutions.

There were concerns about the militarisation of the WPS agenda. A broader approach that includes civil society and refocuses NATO on prevention and protection was encouraged. There was agreement that WPS must go beyond increasing women’s representation and consider the needs of the civilian population. Ukraine was used as a case study, demonstrating that operational success depends on civilian inclusion.

The importance of aligning WPS language with NATO priorities was raised to avoid marginalisation. Recruitment shortages and underused resources were noted, along with the relevance of emerging technologies and public-private partnerships. Attention was drawn to practical challenges, such as proper combat uniforms for women.

Institutionalising WPS across defence structures remains a challenge. Training should be standardised and extend beyond gender advisors. Leadership was seen as essential, with calls for gender-responsive leadership to be prioritised. Pilot programmes and cooperation with the OSCE and EU are underway to promote this.

Cultural barriers within armed forces were discussed, particularly around sexual violence. The UK’s PSVI and zero-tolerance approaches were recognised as important initiatives. Public campaigns in Ukraine promoting women in uniform were seen as insufficient without structural change. Proposals included linking arms sales to CRSV accountability.

Concerns were raised in the Q&A about the securitisation of WPS and the diminishing space for peace in NATO’s agenda. The ITPP and training partnerships with countries like Morocco, Tunisia and Colombia were cited as promising, though questions remain over NATO’s leverage in bilateral agreements. Revisions to the Protection of Civilians (POC) framework were recommended, particularly in light of lessons from Afghanistan.

Finally, reference was made to current Royal Navy investigations and negotiations with the United States, with further updates expected in the autumn.