The First Meeting of States Parties decided to appoint a focal point to work during the intersessional period to support the implementation of the gender provisions of the Treaty and report on progress made to the second Meeting of States Parties.

The TPNW addresses gender in its preamble, in paragraphs 4 and 22, as well as in Article 6. Paragraph 4 recognises that the catastrophic impacts of nuclear weapons “have a disproportionate impact on women and girls, including as a result of ionizing radiation” and paragraph 22 recognises “that the equal, full and effective participation of both women and men is an essential factor for the promotion and attainment of sustainable peace and security, and committed to supporting and strengthening the effective participation of women in nuclear disarmament.” Article 6 requires that victim assistance be provided in a manner that is “gender-sensitive.”

The Vienna Action Plan dedicates a section to implementing the gender provisions of the TPNW, actions 47-50, which recommend that ​​"gender considerations are taken into account across all TPNW-related national policies, programs and projects,” and that states parties begin work on developing guidelines on ensuring age- and gender- sensitive victim assistance and that gender perspectives are integrated into international cooperation and assistance. Other actions in the Action Plan also address gender, such as the establishment of a “geographically diverse and gender balanced network of experts” to support the TPNW.

At 2MSP, the focal point, Chile, presented its report on gender. The mandate of the gender focal point was renewed (Decision 1) with Mexico appointed for the next intersessional period.

Focal Point:

Mexico (2023-present)
Chile (2022-2023)

Meetings:

14 July 2023

21 March 2023

30 January 2023

Resources:

For resources about the work of the gender focal point, click here.