Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the Ministry of Defence has spent on training related to (1) the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and (2) preventing sexual violence initiatives, in (a) 2016, (b) 2017, (c) 2018, (d) 2019, and (e) 2020 to date.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) are unable to answer the noble Lord’s question due to the way funding is tracked and division of policy areas. Defence have approached the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in military operations through a combination of dedicated training courses and specific modules added to existing training.

In support of the UK National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2018 – 2022, the MOD have issued a Joint Service Publication 1325; ‘Human Security in Military Operations’ supported by a two-week Human security Advisers Course. This provides an advanced understanding of Defence’s role in the prevention of sexual violence in conflict through; gendered approaches to planning and operations, appropriate response to survivors, and reporting mechanisms.

Tailored modules have also been embedded to routine training for; deploying peacekeepers, overseas capacity building for troop contributing countries, military planners, policy advisers, Defence Attachés and headquarters and units across the Royal Navy, the Army and the RAF at home and overseas.