Women, Peace and Security Bill [HL]

A Bill to support women in UK sponsored and supported conflict prevention, peace processes, mediation and diplomatic delegations; to ensure systematic gender consideration and responsiveness in UK foreign and defence policy; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Lords

Parliament last updated

3 November 2023

In Plain English

AI-generated

May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.

The bill would place gender equality at the centre of UK peace and security work. It aims to support women’s participation in conflict prevention, peace processes, mediation and diplomatic delegations, and to ensure UK foreign and defence policy systematically considers gender.

Key Points

Mainstream gender analysis and gender-responsive approaches into UK foreign and defence policy.
Promote and support women’s participation and leadership in peace talks, mediation and diplomatic missions.
Apply to UK policy and international engagements, ensuring gender considerations are built into decision-making.
Originated in the Lords and progressed through its Lords stages; now in the Commons at its first reading.

Progress

The bill completed its passage in the Lords (second and third readings, with the order of commitment discharged) and has been introduced in the Commons, where it is currently at its first reading.

Who is affected?

Women and girls in the UKWomen in conflict-affected areas and those involved in peacebuildingUK diplomats, defence and foreign policy staffCivil society organisations focusing on gender equality and peaceCommunities affected by conflict (locally and internationally)

Generated 21 February 2026

Bill Stages

1st readingLords

8 Jun 2022

2nd readingLords

28 Oct 2022

Order of Commitment dischargedLords

27 Feb 2023

3rd readingLords

14 Jul 2023

1st readingCommons

6 Sept 2023

2nd readingCommons

Committee stageCommons

Report stageCommons

3rd readingCommons

Royal Assent

Updates & Documents

News (1)

Women, Peace and Security Bill - news

7 Sept 2023

The 2022-2023 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.

Documents (4)

Bill 361 2022-23 (as brought from the Lords)

BillCommons

6 Sept 2023

12th Report of the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee

Select Committee reportLords

7 Oct 2022

Women, Peace and Security Bill [HL]

Briefing papersLords

5 Aug 2022

HL Bill 22 (as introduced)

BillLords

8 Jun 2022

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.