Written Submission

The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda in the UK’s International Development Approach

Author

Professor Toni Haastrup, Chair in Global Politics & Director of the Generation Equality Lab (GEL), University of Manchester

About Author

Prof. Toni Haastrup is an academic and expert writing extensively on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and gender perspectives in foreign policy and international relations. Her work bridges policy and practice to advance gender equity and sustainable development.

Introduction

The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, first articulated in UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and developed in subsequent resolutions, is central to achieving sustainable development and peace in lower income partner countries. Women. girls and other gender minorities are disproportionately affected by poverty, conflict, and instability; yet their voices, leadership, and unique contributions to peacebuilding and development remain underutilised.

Despite global commitments, in practice, the WPS agenda is often sidelined in broader international development discussions, limiting its transformative potential. While successive UK governments have committed to the WPS agenda, UK leadership has faltered in recent years.

Investigating the UK Government’s integration of the WPS agenda within its Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding would ensure that the gendered dimensions of poverty reduction, humanitarian assistance, and conflict stabilisation are prioritised. This inquiry aligns with the Committee's mandate to support lower-income countries in eradicating extreme poverty and advancing sustainable development.

Proposed Scope of the Inquiry

1. Assessing Government Policy and Spending:
• To what extent does the UK Government integrate WPS principles across its ODA-funded programmes?
• Are women’s voices, particularly from marginalised and conflict-affected communities, included in shaping these policies?
2. Linking WPS to Development Goals:
• Explore how the implementation of WPS contributes to good governance, poverty reduction, education, and climate justice.
• Highlight success stories where women’s participation has transformed post-conflict recovery and development.
3. Accountability Mechanisms:
• Evaluate how the Government ensures that WPS commitments translate into substantive outcomes.
• Investigate funding transparency for WPS initiatives and partnerships with civil society actors.

Action Needed from the Government:

1. Increase ODA Allocations for WPS – Allocate specific, ring-fenced funding for WPS programmes to strengthen conflict prevention, women's participation in peacebuilding, ensure women’s protection from gender-based violence and ensure that humanitarian assistance is gender responsive.
2. Support – Enhance direct funding to grassroots, women-led and feminist organisations that address local needs and amplify marginalised voices.
3. Strengthen Policy Coherence – Ensure that UK development strategies, including those on climate, education, migration and humanitarian assistance, systematically incorporate WPS principles.
4. Monitoring and Accountability – Mandate gender-sensitive monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks for all ODA-funded initiatives.

Why the Committee Should Investigate This:

1. Intersectoral and Inclusive – The WPS agenda intersects with multiple development priorities, including governance, education, health, and climate resilience. An inquiry would reflect the interconnected nature of these challenges.
2. Underrepresented Voices – Centring women and gender perspectives, particularly from conflict-affected regions, aligns with the Committee’s goal of including underrepresented stakeholders in policy debates.
3. Transformational Impact –Amplifying the WPS agenda within UK policy could catalyse systemic change across its ODA-funded programmes through more equitable development outcomes.

Additional Information

• Have you ever engaged with Parliament before (e.g. made a submission to a select committee)?
• Yes – I have previously made a submission to a select committee

• Do you have personal, or field experience related to international development issues?
• Yes – I have been researching themes within international development with a focus on Africa for the majority of my career.

• If you are invited to pitch your idea to the Committee, would you be able to travel to London and back within the same day?
• Yes – I would be honoured to present this pitch to the Committee, offering insights from research and engagement with key stakeholders including civil society. I should be available to do so in London within the same day. This inquiry would position the UK as a global leader in aligning its development priorities with the principles of gender equality and sustainable peace.