Meeting marks 25 years of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda
Armed Forces of the Philippines formally welcomed as newest member of the Executive Committee
The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, on Thursday, 23 October 2025, hosted the Executive Committee of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) Network at McKee Barracks, Dublin.
This event marked the first blended (in-person and virtual) meeting of the Executive Committee in over five years, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325. The meeting was attended by representatives from across the globe, including Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Lieutenant General Jimmy Larida, representing General Romeo Brawner, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
During his opening address, Lieutenant General Mulcahy welcomed participants and emphasised the importance of continued collaboration in advancing the WPS agenda.
“As Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and Chair of the WPS CHODs Network, I want to thank all members for their ongoing commitment to the WPS agenda. The strength of this network lies in the active participation of its members, and today’s discussions highlight how collaboration can drive progress on inclusion and gender perspectives within armed forces globally,” he said.
Lieutenant General Mulcahy also welcomed the Armed Forces of the Philippines as the newest member of the Executive Committee, and congratulated the Kenyan Defence Forces, represented by Major General Joyce Sitienei, on assuming the role of Deputy Chair. He expressed appreciation for the outgoing Ex-Officio, Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, Chief of Defence Staff of the Jamaican Defence Forces, for her leadership and continued engagement with the network.
Acknowledging the contribution of former Ex-Officio member General Michael Claesson, Chief of Defence of the Swedish Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mulcahy recognised Sweden’s early leadership role in the WPS CHODs Network and its continued commitment to advancing gender perspectives across global defence cooperation.
The Executive Committee discussed a number of key agenda items, including the establishment of a Senior Gender Advisors Group and the drafting of a joint international statement addressing the global pushback against the WPS agenda and highlighting violations of women’s and girls’ rights in conflict settings.
In the afternoon session, representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms Jolene Quinn and Ms Kate Collins, delivered a presentation on the influence of the WPS agenda in shaping Ireland’s foreign policy. This was followed by an open forum focused on increasing female participation within armed forces.
Concluding the meeting, Lieutenant General Mulcahy thanked attendees for their participation and reaffirmed the Defence Forces’ commitment to promoting gender equality within military institutions and operations.
“As we mark 25 years of the WPS agenda, collaboration between armed forces worldwide remains vital. I encourage members to continue sharing best practices and experiences, and to contribute to the development of the network’s initiatives, including the WPS CHODs website and future joint statements,” he said.
In addition, The Defence Forces marked the occasion of the 25th Anniversary on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Women, Peace and Security agenda with a high-level meeting held in Cathal Brugha Barracks.
This Security Council Resolution and the Women, Peace and Security agenda recognise that during conflict situations women and girls and other vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected by violence and conflict and that their security needs must be considered during all phases of operational planning. The key pillars associated with Women, Peace and Security are the Protection of vulnerable groups, including women and children, the Prevention of violence, particularly sexual violence in conflict situations. and the Promotion of Participation of women in all phase of conflict including peacebuilding.
This conference brought together speakers from across the spectrum of Irish society including the governmental, academic, Civil Society and military representatives.
The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces also launched the Fourth Defence Forces Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security at the conference. This iteration of the Defence Forces Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security has been developed by continuing the work of the three previous Action Plans, developing the concepts laid out by its predecessors and it builds upon their success. The Action Plan gives the Defence Forces an opportunity to formalise the previously mentioned, commitments made and objects set for it relating to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
The Defence Forces are proud to stand among those committed to the principles of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. This event marks a commitment to continue building on the work we have done through our longstanding tradition of peacekeeping and our partnerships both domestically and with international organisations like the UN.
Photos from the events can be found at the following links:
Executive Committee meeting of the Women, Peace and Security Chief of Defence Network: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCyhu6
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR
About the WPS CHODs Network
- 1. The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) Network was established in 2017 to enhance cooperation among global military leaders on the implementation of UNSCR 1325.
- 2. Ireland assumed the role of Chair of the WPS CHODs Network in July 2025.
3. The current Executive Committee includes representatives from:
- a. Ireland – Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, Chief of Staff, Defence Forces (Chair)
b. Kenya – Major General Joyce Sitienei, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Centre for Security and Strategic Studies, Kenya Defence Forces (Deputy Chair)
c. Jamaica – Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, Chief of Defence Staff, Jamaica Defence Forces (Ex-Officio)
d. Philippines – General Romeo Brawner, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (new member), represented by Lieutenant General Jimmy Larida, Vice Chief of Staff
- 4. The WPS CHODs Network promotes the integration of gender perspectives in military planning, peacekeeping operations, and leadership structures.
Speaker Biographies
Nora Owen
Nora Owen is a former Irish Minister for Justice and Deputy Leader of Fine Gael. During her tenure (1994–1997), she spearheaded major justice reforms, including the establishment of the Criminal Assets Bureau and key legislation on crime and security. Since leaving government, she has been a leading advocate for gender equality and peacebuilding, chairing Ireland’s Second and Third National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security. She remains a respected voice on justice, leadership, and inclusive governance.
Dr Sally Anne Corcoran
Dr Sally Anne Corcoran is the Advocacy and Engagement Manager at COPE Galway, where she leads policy and advocacy initiatives addressing homelessness, domestic abuse, and social inclusion. With over 20 years’ experience in international human rights and peacebuilding, she previously served with the United Nations and holds a PhD in International Human Rights Law from the University of Galway. Dr Corcoran combines academic expertise with practical advocacy to drive systemic change for vulnerable communities.
Dr Katherine Wright
Dr Katherine Wright is a Senior Lecturer in International Politics at Newcastle University and a leading scholar on gender, security, and international institutions. Her research examines how organisations like NATO and the UN engage with the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Author of NATO, Gender and the Military, Dr Wright’s work bridges academic research and policy practice, advancing gender-inclusive approaches to defence and security. She was recently awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to Harvard University.
Dr Walt Kilroy
Dr Walt Kilroy is Co-Director of the DCU Conflict Institute and Assistant Professor at Dublin City University’s School of Law and Government. His research focuses on peacebuilding, reintegration of ex-combatants, and the protection of civilians in UN peacekeeping missions. A former journalist and development worker in Africa, he brings extensive field experience to his teaching and research, linking academic insight with practical approaches to post-conflict recovery and inclusive peace processes.
