Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Some respect for the UN peacekeepers from the other side would not go astray, Mr President. During the meeting, I was very pleased to moderate the Women, Peace and Security session with my colleagues from Norway, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh and Japan. Australia has been a strong and consistent advocate for the UN's women peace and security agenda and we are very proud to be doing our part to increase the number of women serving in peace and security operations and in supportive inclusive peace processes.

The Australian national action plan forms the basis of the government's efforts to address the impact of conflict on women and girls and to improve women's participation in preventing violence. Defence is implementing the women, peace and security agenda in corporate planning, in operational activities, in doctrine and in training. Women have commanded Australian contingents to Operation Masurka in the Sinai and Operation Paladin in the Middle East, and female commanders and deputies are being deployed to Afghanistan and other operational headquarters. (Time expired)